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Show vw “THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Page 9 June 1, 2006 Weber, Davis Small Business’ Benefit from Solid Global Economic Growth Chocolate: A Health Food? By Amy Cain, MS, RD, CD Valley resident, dietitian, and healthy eater Cat eo ECONOMIC GROW Foot growth forecasts for 2006 and 2007 have been revised higher in recent months. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently raised its forecast for real (inflation adjusted) global growth to 4.9% in 2006 and to 4.7% in 2007. These estimates were roughly 0.5% than forecasts made last Various private sector forecasts expect similar solid performance despite the impact of high energy and commodity prices. Current global growth expectations for 2006, should they transpire, would mark the fourth consecutive year of at least 4.0% real annual growth, an occurrence not seen since the early 1970s—a period of more than 30 years. Strong growth is anticipated to continue across Asia, with slightly stronger growth in Europe and Russia. African, Latin American, and Middle Eastern growth expectations have also been adjusted higher, while North American growth should remain solid. Strong global economic performance leads to rising demand for American exports. Such growth also leads to greater foreign business opportunities for American companies of all sizes, while also leading to rising visitation by foreigners to U.S. destinations. Solid global economic performance is a positive contributor to the Utah Small Business Index UTAH EMPLOYMENT The Utah unemployment rate—the most heavily weighted component of the Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah—was estimated at 3.4% in the latest month, down sharply from the prior month’s 3.8% rate. The current 3.4% rate compares to a jobless rate of 4.3% during the same month one year ago. A lower Utah unemployment rate is a negative contributor to the Index as it implies decreased access to Utah labor. Utah’s unemployment rate averaged 4.3% in 2005, 5.1% in 2004, 5.7% in 2003 and in 2002, and 4.4% in 2001. By comparison, the 3.4% average during 2000 was one of the lowest annual rates since the early 1950s. These rates compare to an average Utah unemployment rate of 3.5% The purported health benefits of chocolate may come from the fact that cocoa beans contain antioxidants similar to those found in fruits and vegetables. However, a lot is still unknown in this area, and many of these antioxidants may be lost during processing. In a recent study that demonstrated the benefits of chocolate, participants had to eat 3.5 ounces of chocolate a day. At 500+ calories, that is an entire meal of chocolate! And as much as | would like to think of chocolate as a health food, do we really need an excuse to eat more candy? To capture some potential health benefit, those with a sweet tooth should choose dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. If the cocoa content is not listed on the packaging, then it is unlikely that it contains a large percentage of cocoa. Look for Lindt brand chocolate at major grocery stores. Lindt has a chocolate bar with 70% cocoa content and one with 85% cocoa content. Ogden Valley’s own Eden Coffee & Corea Company, as well as most health food s carry a variety of other brands. Although these smaller brands have a higher price, they are usually organically grown and Fair Trade certified. The organic designation means that the were shade-grown, preventing dena of the rainforest, a common practice in growing cocoa beans. Fair Trade certified means that a greater percentage of money goes back to the farmer and the local infrastructure. Most of these chocolate bars have great taste and great packaging (they make a nice little gift). Dark chocolate is also a good snack for people with diabetes because it is low in total carbohydrates. It does contain a significant amount of saturated fat, so limit your intake to a % - 1 ounce serving. These bars are so rich that it’s easy to practice savoring a small amount of a “healthy” dessert. If you are interested in Ogden Valley’s 6week Healthy Lifestyle Program, please contact Amy Cain at Amycain]@aol.com. The Healthy Lifestyle Program is a unique course that will help you reach your nutrition and exercise goals, whether for weight loss or to “fine tune” your diet and exercise routine. This program integrates whole-foods nutrition, exercise, behavior changes and groupSupport and is taught by Katie Wewer, MS, RD, Amy Cain, MS, RD, and Haley Hayes, Registered Yoga Teacher. Start date and time to be announced. “Summers between 1995 and 1999. Total Utah employment rose by an estimated 48,500 jobs (up 4.3%) over the past 12 months, one of the strongest annualized gains in more than 10 years, and the fourth strongest job growth rate in the nation. This rise compares to a revised gain of 49,100 jobs in the prior year-over-year period. These totals compare to gains averaging 38,000 new jobs annually during the 19942000 period, and a net loss of 1,300 jobs in 2001 through 2003. Stronger job gains, leading to greater income creation and rising retail spending, has a positive impact upon Utah’s small businesses and, therefore, the Index. The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah was 113.4 during April 2006, down from a revised 115.7 during March 2006. The Index measures business conditions from the viewpoint of the Utah small business Owner or manager. ower Index number is associated with less favorable business “conditions” for Utah’s small businesses. The Index uses 100.0 for calendar year 1997 as its base year. The Index includes revisions to various historical or forecast components as they become available. LOCAL PERFORMANCE Weber County experienced job growth of 1,500 jobs (1.7%) Joblessness registered 4.9%, down from the 5.7% unemployment rate one year ago. avis County payrolls expanded by 2,600 jobs (2.8%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 4.0% in the latest month, down from 4.5% one year ago. Cache County employment grew by 400 jobs (0. 9%) in the latest 12-month period. The area’s jobless rate was 3.4%, down from the 3.8% rate of one year ago. Salt Lake County employment rose by 21,500 jobs (3.9%) over the year. The county’s unemployment rate fell to 4.3% in the latest month, down from 5.0% last year. Utah County employment grew by 7,700 jobs (4.7%) over the last 12 months. The area’s jobless rate was 3.9%, down from the 4.5% rate of one year ago. yesrangten ae payrolls expanded by 4,400 jobs (9.7%)in the past year. The unemployment rate was 3.4% in the latest month, down from 4.1% one year ago. NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT The U.S. Department of Labor reported a net gain of 138,000 jobs in April 2006, below Wall Street’s projected gain near 200,000 jobs. In addition, net job gains in February (now 200,000) and March (also now 200,000) were revised lower by 36,000 jobs. While employment gains came in below expectations, the rise in average wages and a slightly longer average work week will contribute to Federal Reserve anxiety regarding inflation. The 3.8% rise in the average wage (to $16.61) during the past 12 months was the largest gain since August 2001. Total hours worked in the economy rose by 0.5%, the strongest gain since July 2005. The U.S. unemployment rate remained at 4.7% in April, matching March’s rate. The current 4.7% rate remains at its lowest level since July 2001. Goods producing industries saw a net increase of 37,000 jobs in April, with a rise of 19,000 manufacturing jobs, the largest jump in nearly two years. The construction sector added an estimated 10,000 jobs last month. The nation’s service providing sector added 101,000 net new jobs in April, led by the addition of 35,000 net new jobs in health care & education. An additional 28,000 new jobs were added in professional & business services, with 26,000 net new jobs in the financial sector and 20,000 new leisure & hospitality jobs. The retail trade sector lost an estimated 36,000 jobs in April, accounting for much of the lower-than-expected overall rise. The gigovernment sector added 7,000 net new jobs in April. ote: The May 2006 Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah will be released June 6, 2006. For more information, contact Zions Bank's Eden Valley office at (801) 7450835. 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