Posts tagged Denver International Airport
CU report: Colorado economy to stay warm next year
Dec 11th
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CU: Colorado economy heating up next year
Dec 11th
The comprehensive outlook report for 2014 features forecasts and trends for 13 business sectors prepared by more than 100 key business, government and industry professionals. “With Colorado’s skilled workforce, high-tech diversified economy, relatively low cost of doing business, global economic access and exceptional quality of life, the state is poised for long-term economic growth,” Wobbekind wrote in the outlook. Wobbekind is the executive director of the Leeds School’s Business Research Division.
Overall, the forecast calls for a gain of 61,300 jobs in 2014, compared with a gain of about 66,900 jobs this year. All sectors of the Colorado economy are predicted to grow in 2014 with the exception of the information sector, which includes publishing and telecommunications. Colorado is expected to be in the top five states for job growth in 2014 with workers added in both goods- and services-producing sectors. The strongest sector for projected job growth in Colorado in 2014 is the professional and business services sector, which is expected to add 14,200 jobs or grow by 3.8 percent. “Colorado has strategic advantages in the professional and business services sector given the highly educated workforce, innovative spirit and small business base that we have in the state,” said Wobbekind. “If national-level political and fiscal uncertainty subsides, we may see even stronger growth in this sector than what we’re currently projecting.”
Other leading job growth sectors for 2014 include the construction sector, which is expected to add 11,000 jobs or grow by 8.7 percent; and the trade, transportation and utilities sector, which is expected to add 9,100 jobs or grow by 2.2 percent. Though it was one of the greatest casualties of the recession, the construction sector has exhibited strong growth in recent years in values, permits and employment, according to Wobbekind. Total value of construction is expected to reach the second highest level in the past decade, rising by 14.8 percent in 2014 with the largest increase due to residential construction. Total housing permits are expected to grow by 17.5 percent with gains in both single- and multifamily units. The trade, transportation and utilities sector is the largest provider of jobs in Colorado. It includes everything from wholesale and retail trade to a variety of transportation features such as Denver International Airport and gas pipelines, as well as utilities. DIA is expected to record more than 52 million passengers in 2014.
Retail sales in the state are anticipated to rise by 5 percent in 2014, up from 4.2 percent growth in 2013. Colorado’s unemployment rate is expected to remain below 7 percent in 2014, which is comparatively better than the national unemployment rate. Commenting on the overall forecast, Wobbekind said, “After the deep recession we encountered as a state and a nation, it is really a relief to be reporting strong positive job growth in Colorado.” Risks to economic growth nationally include sequestration, the debt limit, government shutdown, Federal Reserve policy and health care reform, according to the outlook. Colorado’s population is the seventh fastest growing in the country by percentage and the ninth fastest growing in the country by number of residents. The state’s population is projected to grow by 1.7 percent to nearly 5.4 million people. To view the entire economic outlook for Colorado in 2014, including an overview of each of the state’s major economic sectors, visit http://leeds.colorado.edu/BRD. To follow the event on Twitter use #OutlookCO.
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CU Leeds School of Business: Positive, broad-based job growth forecast for Colorado in 2013
Dec 3rd
Wobbekind’s announcement is part of the 48th annual Colorado Business Economic Outlook Forum presented Dec. 3 by the Business Research Division of the Leeds School.
The comprehensive outlook for 2013 features forecasts and trends for 13 business sectors prepared by more than 100 key business, government and industry professionals.
“For the state, we see a very positive environment for 2013,” said Wobbekind, executive director of the Business Research Division. “We’re seeing a wide array of jobs being added and they’re diversifying our state economy.”
Overall, the forecast calls for a gain of 42,100 jobs in 2013, compared with a gain of about 47,900 jobs this year. All sectors of the Colorado economy are predicted to grow in 2013 with the exception of the information sector, which includes publishing and telecommunications.
When comparing the Leeds School forecast to employment outlooks for other states, Colorado is expected to be in the top 10 states for job growth in 2013 and perhaps in the top six or seven, according to Wobbekind.
Even with positive job growth projected for the state, Wobbekind said uncertainty from national and international factors will play a role in slowing growth during the first and second quarters of 2013. More momentum will occur in the second half of the year.
“Resolution of the so-called fiscal cliff and the resolution of the European debt crisis will have impacts on the national economy and that will filter down to the state level,” said Wobbekind. “Once that uncertainty gets resolved, we then expect business investments to start flowing again and consumers to start making decisions based on a known environment. We think the recovery will be quite a bit smoother after that.”
The strongest sector for projected job growth in Colorado in 2013 is the educational and health services sector. The sector is expected to add 7,600 jobs in 2013.
In addition, other leading growth sectors for 2013 include the professional and business services sector with 7,400 jobs added and leisure and hospitality with 5,000 workers added, mostly in the areas of accommodation and food services.
The trade, transportation and utilities sector is the largest provider of jobs in Colorado. It includes everything from wholesale and retail trade to a variety of transportation features such as the Denver International Airport and gas pipelines, as well as utilities. The sector is expected to grow 1.4 percent in 2013 with the addition of 5,600 jobs.
The construction sector is expected to grow by 6,300 jobs in 2013 — up from a 2,800-job increase this year — and produce $12.6 billion in total value of construction. While the biggest surprise in the sector is the demand for infrastructure work, the number of new multifamily units built is a contributing factor to the increase, among others.
Commenting on the overall forecast, Wobbekind said, “It’s great to be giving positive news to people year after year. Confidence levels nationally are at their highest levels in five years. We’re really starting to see a lot more optimism on the part of the average person on the street about the future.”
Colorado’s unemployment rate is expected to decrease from 8 percent in 2012 to 7.4 percent in 2013, which is comparatively better than the national unemployment rate.
Colorado’s population grew by 1.4 percent, or 71,000 people, in 2012 and is projected to increase by 1.5 percent, or 77,500 people, in 2013. Roughly half of the increase will derive from net migration, or the increase of people moving to the state.
To view the entire economic outlook for Colorado in 2013, including an overview of each of the state’s major economic sectors, visit http://leeds.colorado.edu/BRD and click on the Colorado Business Economic Outlook 2013 icon.