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Show Paa B7 Bank index rises, unemployment falls The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah rooe to 77.3 in September 2002 versus a revised 74.5 in August. Utah' unemployment rate increased to 5.3' in September 2002, versus 5.04 in August Ibtal Utah employment fell by 17,500 jobs during the past 12 months, one of the largest decline in 20 The Federal Reserve is years. likely to cut its key short-terinterest rate before the end of the year. The nation's unemployment rate dropped to 5 6 in September down from net August's 5.7 rate-wh- ile year-over-ye- ar m U.S. employment declined by 43,000 jobs. EVEN LOWER RATES? Weakness in job creation and continued anxiety in fi- nancial markets have raised the odds of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve before yearend. The Fed cut its key short-terinterest m federal funds rate-- 11 times last year. In contrast, the Fed has made no change so far this year. The Zions rate-t- he Bank Small Business Index for Utah assumes that most small businesses are borrowers. As a result, most would benefit from additional interest rate declines. The federal funds rate-t- he overnight rate on excess funds between banks, and the most important of all interest rates-- is currently at a 41 year low of 1.75. If economic sluggishness persists, the Fed could cut this rate to 1.50 or 1.25 -- in coming months. Minimal inflation pressures allow the Fed the flexibility to trim shortterm rates even further. Long- term interest rates, also at generational lows, validate the fact that lend- long-ter- m ers and investors are not overly concerned about infla- tion pressures at this time. Any move by the Fed to lower its key short-terrats would be followed by immediately in reductions comparable other key short-terinterest rates. Should any rate cuts occur, the Fed would have little need to begin raising short-terrates any time before the middle of next year. UTA1I EMPLOYMENT The Utah unemployment rate-t- he most heavily weighted component of the Zions Bank Small Business 5.3 in Index for Utah-w- as from 2002, up September Augusts 5.0 rate. Marchs 5.9 rate was the highest since 1987. Septembers 5.3 rate compared to a jobless rate of 4.6 during September 2001. A higher Utah unemployment rate is a positive contributor to the Index as it implies increased access to Utah labor. Utahs unemployment rate averaged 4.4 in 2001. By comparison, the 3.2 average during 2000 was one of the lowest annual rates since the early 1950s. These rates compare to average Utah m m In the rates of 3.7 during 19i9, 3.8 in 1993, and 3.1 during 1997. Total employment in Utah actually declined by 17,500 jobs (down over the past 12 months. This droo compares to the revised 19,700 jobs lost in the 16) period. job losses this year represent the first declines in 20 years. These totals compare to gains averaging 33,300 new jobs annually during the 1994 2000 period. Weak job growth or actual employment declines, leading to lesser income creation and weaker retail spending, has a negative impact upon Utahs small business and therefore, the Index. The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah rose to 77.3 during September 2002 from a revised 74.5 during August 2002. The Index measures business conditions from the viewpoint of the Utah small business owner or manA higher Index numager. ber is associated w ith more favorable business conditions for Utah's small businesses. The Index uses 100.0 for calendar year 1997 as its base year. The Index also includes revisions to various historical or forecast components. year-over-ye- Thursday, October 17, 2002 imi-a-- USU extension disseminates information to help family farms unemployment prior dhf ar Year-over-ye- ar NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT The nations unemployment rate was 5.6 in September, down from Augusts 5.7 rate. A surprising rise in the volatile household measure of job gains (and a corresponding drop in the teenage unemployment rate) accounted for the jobless rate decline. The U.S. unemployment rate reached an eight-yea- r high of 6.0 in and could April, again apin coming proach 6.0 months. The U.S. Department of Labors more reliable survey of 300,000 businesses reported a net loss of 43,000 jobs in the economy in September. Augusts prior estimate of a 39,000 gain was revised sharply higher to 107,000 net new jobs. The economy added 152,000 jobs over the past four months, after losing more than 1.5 million jobs in the preceding 12 months. The g sector of the U.S. economy lost 38,000 jobs in September, including the 19-- 1 0e, the Depres- sion forced many families to endure blood, sweat and tears, just to keep up with the demands of feeding their families. The '50s brought new hope, and a new breed of fanner w ho realized that their job was important to feeding this nation. Throughout the next few decades, family farms were losing out to corporate entities due to the financial hardships of being a farmer. In the '90s, farmers were applauded for becoming stewards of the land. Now, those farmers that persevered are finding that they need resources far beyond their discussions at the local caft to be successful in production agriculture. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are 1,911,859 farms across the United States. For many, agriculture combines many social and economic roles. But, no longer can the farmer rely on watching the clouds to be successful. Agriculture Environmental Management System (AEMS) site, found at http. Web ams aa UAiaiiedu At first aems aste.usu edu Web the site glance, appears to be another informational avenue for disseminating various agricultural related new sworthy items. But, if you look closer, you will see the meat and potatoes, behind AEMS. AEMS is a website for bringing information to those . in the agriculture industry, but it also includes the most search engine for a vast database of topics in the agriculture industry, focusing on Agricultural Waste Management, Harrison explains. This search engine, appropriately named the Agriculture Environmental Management Information System state-of-the-a- I rt tal Management Systems fee. Rich Koenig, assistant professor and Extension soil specialist, stated that the AEMS Web site will serve as am deeply appre- Parker's guidance and the vision of the members of the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, for the support they have shown," Harrison Vay s. Now USU Extension is leading the way in bringing such information to the fanner sector lost 5,000 jobs in September. Transportation and public utilities lost 32,000 jobs in September, while retail trade lost 16,000 jobs. The broad services" sector, which includes health care, added 28 ,000 jobs in the month. The October 2002 Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah will be released on Nov. 5. Elect Robert Buckingham for Grand County School Board stand for Safe Schools I Quality Teaching For Consistent & Honest Representation Standards Accessible to All High Academic paid political advertisement 07 YOUR CHOICE SsJ 1 Rlvar of Life Christian Fellowship Two miles south of Moab, Hwy. 191 Worship 10.30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Pastor Galen Howell 259-830- 8 First Baptist Church SBC Wallace Thames, Pastor 420 MiVida Dr. - Info: Sunday School 9.45 Morning Worship 1 1 a m. Evening Worship 6.30 p.m. Wed. Prayer Meeting 6.30 p m. 259-731- Church Page Sponsors: Self Storage A-- 1 1 5 sizes - 2 locations 1191 S.Hwy .191- - 259-599- Complete line of Auto Parts 322 S. Main -- 259-6101 Burt Inc. Dyno-Nob- el - 259-718- 1 Church Directory First of Assembly God S. Highway 181, 1205 S. Boulder Rev. Doug Sebring Sunday School 9.30 a m. Sunday Morning Worship 10.45 Sunday Evening Worship 6 p.m. Youth Service Tuesday 6.30 p.m. Midweek Service Wednesday 7 p.m. -- Adult Bible School --Royal Ranger (boys ages -- Missionettes (girls ages -- Rainbows (boys and girls ages 3 4 4) Grace Lutheran Church 360 West 400 North Rev. Dave Dahl B&e Study, Sunday 6 p.m. Worship Service Sunday 7 p.m. Friend in Christ Free Lutheran Church Worship Service 9am 1240 S.HWY 191 Next to Ye Of Geezer Meat Shop Pastor Rich Evans or 0 259-437- 8 259-404- Moab Baptist Church 3 356 W. Kane Creek Blvd. Pastor Cole Howe Sunday School 10 a m. Sunday Morning Svc. 1 1 a.m. Sunday Evening Svc. 6.30 p.m. Wednesday Evening Svc. 7 p.m. 259-349- 0 Church of God of Prophecy 808 Mill Creek Dr. Steve Stewart Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnessea Epiacopal Church of SL Francis 250 Kane Creek Rd. 1 10.30 a m. Sunday Holy Eucharist - English 7 p m. (Tuesday) - Maries - Santa Eucaristla - Espanbl SL Michael'a Catholic Church Mass 6 p.m. Saturday 259-851- 25 West Dogwood Ave , Sunday Meeting 10.00 a.m. 259-736- 9 259-583- 1 The Parts Store mknamd )PY contact Dr. John D. Harrison at Utah State University, Carmichael for Council, HO. Box 854, Moah, UT 84532 Seventh-da- y 259-669- SL Pius X Church 1 12 W 400 North - 259-52- 1 7 p.m. Mass Saturday, Apr. 1 - Oct 1 5 30 p.m. Mass Saturday, Oct. 1 - Apr. 8 a.m. Every Sunday 1 1 Green River Bible Church Mam 6 Howard St., Green River Pastor Kirk Dunham 9 45 a.m. Sunday School 11 a.m. Worship Service 6 p.m. Evening Worship Service 564-887- 6 Church of God 10 a.m Sunday Sch., 1 1 a.m. Worship Svc. 6 pm Sunday evening worship 7 p.m. Wednesday & Saturday 143 S. 3rd E. (1 block W. Apache Motel) Pastor Jack Reed Quaker Worship Group Sundays, 10 am. Family Resource Center 61 N. 300 E., Moab 259-666- 4 3 Adventist Church 4581 Spanish Valley Dr. S.S. 9.30 a m. Saturday Worship Service 1 1 a.m. Saturday For information: 5 Church of Christ Meeting at 456 Emma Blvd. (behind the original Maverik Country Store) Sunday: Morning Bible Class 9 a m ; Morning Worship 10 a.m., Evening Worship 6 pm. Wednesday Evening Bible Class 6 p m. 0 caH 0 or 259-481- CHANGE! industry, agriculture Harrison says. For more information on AEMS, view the website at hast. The people of Grand County are special and they deserve elected officials with common sense. I would like to he your representative, if " you 'll have me. ATTEND THE CHURCH 402 Park Drive, Moab ITS TIME FORA work- shops, as w ell as tools for improving quality of operations for agriculture, are being added continually. The key to being successful is staying ahead of your game, and I expect the USU Extension AEMS program to be the leader in the effort to develop a sustainable and restorative my entire adult life in Grand County, if elected, I will work hard and do my loss of 35,000 more manufacturing positions. The manufacturing sector lost an average of 110,000 jobs monthly last year. Construction em- service-providin- training, books and I have lived and worked goods-producin- ployment was roughly unchanged over the past three g months. The broad doesn't stop there. Online depth and breadth, this site w ill be of great value to those w ho are facing new challenges in these changing environmental and economic times. New ideas in an exciting delivery format await the producers and support agencies erators for a nominal annual ciative of Representative looking to the future of agriculture; with a faith born not of words, but of deeds. The AEMS Web site (AEMS) Web site. With both (AEM1S), is accessible to coop- "Just like other business and industry, agriculture has evolved, states John D. Harrison, extension specialist in agricultural waste management at Utah State University. With the technology we have available today, agricultural research and information has gone from the laboratory into the hands of those who need the information the most: the farmer. To capitalize the development of USU Extensions efforts in this area, Representative Brent D. Parker sponsored a legislative initiative during the 2001 Utah State Legislative session, Harrison points out. a clearinghouse for technical information on lives tuck w aste management systems. According to Gary S. Straquadine, professor and department head of Agricultural Systems Technology and Education at Utah State University, the agriculture environment has experienced rapid change, in both the figurative and literal sense. Sustainable environmental management practices continue to evolve for the progressive farmer and ranch, Straquadine says. Yet, what is the source of new knowledge? Research universities, such as Utah State University, lead the nation in transferring technology with the innovative Agriculture Environmen- with the recently launched 259-554- Church of Jeaua Christ of Latterly Saints First Ward Bishop Ronald D. Ferguson 9 a m. Sacrament Mtg.; 10:20 a.m. Sunday Sch. 11:10 a.m. Organizations Second Ward Bishop Merrill Hugentobier a.m. Sacrament Mtg.; 12.20 p.m. Sunday Sch. 1.10 p.m. Organizations Third Ward Bishop Verl Packard 1 p.m. Sacrament Mtg.; 2 20 p.m. Sunday Sch. 3.10 p.m. Organizations Fourth Ward Bishop Ned Dalton 1 1 a m. Sacrament Mtg ; 12 20 p.m. Sunday Sch. 1:10 p.m. Organizations Fifth Ward Bishop Ken Bi&hoff 9 a.m. Sacrament Mtg ; 10 20 am Sunday Sch. 11:10 a.m. Organ zattons Green River First Ward Bishop Nolan Johnson 10 a m. Sacrament Mtg.; 11.15 a m. Sunday Sch. 12 10 p.m. Organizations 1 1 Castle Valley Castle Valley Dr , President Otis Willoughby 1150 a.m. Sacrament Mtg ; 10.55 a.m. Sunday Sch 10.00 a.m. Organizations 259-702- 8 Community Church 544 Mi Vida, Pastor Keith VanArsdol Lisa Hendy, Youth Minister 9.45 Sunday School; 1 1 a.m. Morning Worship 5.30 p.m. Sunday Jr. High Youth (grades 6.30 p.m. Sunday Sr. High Youth (grades 9 information: 8 or 7 Fax. xhorch6 iasal.net 6-- 259-731- 259-479- 259-566- Four Corners Faith & Worship meeting at Moab Valley inn Sunday morning service, 10 a.m. Wednesday evening cowboy service, 7 p.m. |