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Show Volume XI THE Issue IX OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 13 February 15, 2005 Weber County’s Economy on a HIGHLIGHTS ~ Weber County experienced job growth of 1,400 jobs (1.6%) from a year ago. Joblessness registered 5.304, down = the employment rate one year ~ The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah dipped to 102.5 in January ae down from. arevised 103.7 in December 2 upon Urtal Il busi 1 therefore the Index. The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah was 102.5 during January 2005, down from a revised 103.7 during December 2004. The Index measures business conditions from the viewpoint of the Utah small business owner or manager. AL Tad yoni § tad aa tth lace fe able business “conditions” for Utah’s small businesses. wee Index uses 100.0 for calendar year 1997 as its base e Index also includesrevisions to various his- in the latest month, down from the prior arf s 4.6% rate. Total Utah employment is up an estimated35 100 jobs during the past 12 months. ~ The state’s economy should continue to strengthen, even as the Federal Reserve pushes short-term interest rates higher. ~ The nation’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in January-down from December’s an AM — net U.S. employment rose by 146. i te PERFORMANCE eber County experienced job growth of 1,400. 2 [uska\aem sem Joblessrness registered 5.3} = SHORT-TERM cana RATES e Federal Reserve delivered its sixth consecutive eames — move on Wednesday, February 2, 2005. TheFi eserve’s Open Market Committee POMC nied ise aero interest rate (the federal funds rate) from the prior level of 2.25% to 2.50%. Most commercial banks followed with a similar boost in their prime en rate to 5.50%. naintained its “measured rate” language in itsacre statement, suggesting more 0.25% bil Dedis Coas Taped tag Francial markets expect seventh and eighth tightening moves to Most forecasters still expect the federal funds rate to be near 3.50%- 3.75% at the end of the year. The Fed’s goal of reaching “neutrality” (a federal funds rate near 4.00%, a level that is neithera stimulant nora hindrance to U.S. economic activity) should be in place prior to mid-year 2006. The level of borrowing costs isa component of the Utah Small Business Index. UTAH EMPLOYMENT The Utah unemployment rate-the most heavily weighted component of the Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utal: th latest month, down ‘for the prior month’s 4. 6% rate. The current 4.4% rate compared to a jobless rate of 5.3% during the same month one year ago. A lower Utah unemployment rate isa negative santine to he Index as it labor. Utah’s unemployment rate ened ps in 2004, 5.6% in 2003, 6.1% in 2002, and 4.4% in 2001. By comparison, the 3.3% average during 2000 was one of the lowest ann ce the early 1950s. These rates compare to an average Utah unemployment rate of 3.5% between 1995 and 1999. otal Utah employment rose by an estimated 35,100 jobs (up 3.2%) over the past 12 months, the strongest annualized gain in six years. This rise compares to a revised gain of 34,600 jobs in the prior yearover-year period. These totals compare to gains averaging 38,000 new jobs annually during the 1994-2000 period. Stronger job gains, leading to greater income don't MIBB for pounen Growth vis County payrolls expanded by 3,700 jobs (4.1%) in the past year. The tanoaen - was 4.0% in the latest month, down from 4.8% one ‘ounty employment grew by 900. ots. (2 9 in the latest 12-month period. The area’ 3.4%, up slightly from the 33% rate ofr‘one year ago. ‘e County employment rose by 10,000 Jobs @ 1 1) over the year. The ‘county’ ‘unemployment 8 rate fell from 5.1% last year: Utah County omieal grew by 7,500 jobs (4.7%) over the last 12 months. The area’s jobless rate was 3.6%, di from th if ag Washington County payrolls expanded by 3,500 pts (8.7%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 3.6% in the latest month, down from 4.1% one year ago. NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT (Ss Department of Labor reported a gain of 146,000 net new jobs in January 2005, below the 185,000 rise expected on Wall Street. In addition, report- 59,000 jobs. Even so, the U.S. economy added 2.2 million net new jobs in 2004, the best infive years TheUS y i —ssince Sspenbe 2001), down from wares 5 A% aM? he hiot Goods oat lucing industries saw aam om of 31,000 jobs in November, with a loss ufacturing jobs. Construction lost oe its ist month. Service providing industries added 177,000 Positions in January. The health care and ‘eduction lors added 35,000 positions during the month, net new jobs. Government added 12,000 ‘oe US. economic growth SS a, 1 . Kel 12.2005 expect a net average gain of 175,000-200,000 comnts monthly this ths: en in line with the 181,000 wana monthly gain durin; ns should occur even as cumin interest rates continueoo rise. For more information, contact Zions a Eden branch at 745-0835, or visit <wwwzionsbank.cor Information provided Economic Consultant by Jeff to ae Bank Pathways To Issue Updated Trail Map RS o> EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE By Helene Liebman, Ogden Valley Pathways he 3 To promote youth involvement and get feedback from area students, Ogden Valley Weber Pathways has Pathways will add two students to its announced that it will Executive Committee—one junior high stuissue an updated trail map for Weber County. dent and one high school student. The new map, scheduled for printing this spring, These representatives would attend OVP will be an expansion of the current map. meetings (first Wednesday of every month), The updated trail map will cover the entire provide us with feedback from their friends County, an extension of the existing map which and class mates, and help us organize to get does not cover the far south and west sides of area students more involved in non-motorWeber County. The new map will also cover ized pathways i in the community. more winter outdoor activities, including snow If interested in being considered as a shoeing and cross-county skiing around youth seas ait please submit an essay Snowbasin and cross-country skiing at Wolf ° 1 words about “What NonCreek Resort. Six new trails will also be Motor i Pathways Mean to Me.” Mail described, including those in Ogden Valley, your essays to the Weber Pathways office at: Ogden, Hooper, and West Haven. WEBER PATHWAYS The Weber Pathways trail map, Pathways PO BOX 972 in Weber County, is available at the Ogden Ogden UT 84402 Valley Library, the Forest Service Information Desk in the Union Station, end your essay via e-mail to Diamond Peak in Eden, The Oaks in Ogden seapisincborpaltinenys: org> Essays are due Canyon, Roosters and the Union Grill by March 1, 2005. Restaurants in Ogden, Jeremiah’s Restaurant We'll review essays and invite finalists to in Ogden, Idlewire Pet Care in Ogden, and come to meet with us so that we can get more any one of the Bingham Cyclery shops information and answer any questions you throughout Utah. may have. We'll select two representatives If you’re interested in purchasing an ad in by the end of March. the new map, contact the Weber Pathways AT-LARGE POSITIONS ON OVP office at 393-2304. The deadline for purEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE chasing ads is April 1. u have a passion for the outdoors, non-motorized pathways, and the communiBANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL ty? Do you want to help guide Ogden Valley WORLD TOUR RETURNS TO OGDEN Pathways activities? If so, maybe you’d like The Snowbasin Ski Education Foundation to become an At-Large member of the Ogden is hosting the 2005 Banff Mountain Film Valley Pathways Executive Committee Festival World Tour at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, If you’re interested and you have the time February 18 at the Peery’s Egyptian Theatre to devote (about 8 hours per month, on averin Ogden. Tickets are $12 and can be purage), send a note of interest along with a brief chased at the Egyptian Theatre Box Office. summary of your background and relevant All proceeds for this event go to the skills to the OVP Chair, Marion Horna, at Snowbasin Alpine Junior Racing Program. <Hornadad2@aol.com> This is a great opportunity to see the PaTHWAY Ospen VALLEY CHAPTER world’s best outdoor-oriented films. Past years’ offerings have included extreme skiing, extreme kayaking, and incredible athletic feats. This year should be even better! YOUTH REPRESENTATIVES ON OVP OV PATHWAYS MARCH MEETING Our March meeting will held March 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ogden Valley Library. The public is welcome! If you have any news or if you would like more information, contact Helene Liebman at 393-2304. a Economic Associate (801) 33-9663 ©2005 Thredgold Eoonomic Associates: the next sensational saturday9 | february @ G Pia Coss: tt Thad 06 OG second item Contre eae fe) 2 women's fine clothing & unique accessories 186 historic 25th st. » ogden, ut » 801.39.dream = www.umedesigns.com February 26 starting at 6 p.m. The Wall Street Journal writers created this fun event so people would open that special bottle of wine they've been saving... Detac Trapper Ridge bottle and we'll use it in a great display in the restaurant. Bob Whitney 801-205-7111 *Utah State law requires we charge a $1 corkage fee. All bottles must have UDABC stamps. Wf Geek RE S O Marketed by Watts Group Follow Signs from Wolf Creek Club House One Mile East to Trappers Ridge Models Open Daily Except Sunday 801-272-7111 /www.trappersridge.com RT For more information call 745-3737 3900 N. Wolf Creek Drive Eden, UT Homes from $260,000 at Wolf eee ae Osden Vall Bring your “special bottle”* & come dine with us. We'll be christening our brand-new wine cellar as well! When you're done, we want you to sign the { Resort Your Winter Ski Chalet. Three Family Ski Resorts. All One Hour from Salt Lake! AWatts Enterprises Community evin Watts Architects q Was Close to Snowbasin, Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley Ski Resorts and Area Snowmobiling Trails y} Oe |