US Manufacturing Growth Improves In June; Hiring Jumps
“The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Wednesday that its manufacturing index rose to 53.5 last month from 52.8 in May. Manufacturing activity matched January’s level for the highest this year. Any reading above 50 signals expansion.”
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Even With GE Set-Back, Lots Of Promise With Local Battery Market
“The Capital Region’s fledging renewable energy economy appeared to take a major hit back in January when General Electric Co. significantly dialed down production at its $170 million battery factory.”
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Alfred State Breaks Ground For Advanced Manufacturing Center
“Shovels hitting the dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday afternoon on the Alfred State College Applied Technology Campus meant the start of additional educational experiences to come for students who are interested in pursuing degrees in manufacturing.”
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US Construction Spending Rises 0.8 Percent In May
“Total construction spending increased 0.8 percent in May, following an even bigger 2.1 percent advance in April, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. The gains pushed totaled activity to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.04 trillion, the highest level since October 2008.”
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Why June’s Job Numbers Are Disappointing
“The economy added 223,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate fell to 5.3 percent, but some economists are disappointed. Why? Wages remained flat and the labor participation rate fell to 62.6 percent, the lowest rate since October 1977.”