The Compass Report is the only independent economic analysis of Arkansas’ top four metro areas (Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith region, and the Jonesboro region). The report measures four leading and four current economic indicators to provide a grade for a regional economy.
A key factor in understanding The Compass is in understanding the “grading” approach used to measure the current and leading economic indicators. The strategy is to place the most recent data in historical context. Average values for the percent change over the referenced time period were calculated, as were standard deviations for each measure.
by - March 31, 2025 12:27 pm
Data from the four Arkansas metro areas measured by The Compass Report indicate moderation in fourth quarter 2024 economic activity, with sales tax revenue – a measure of consumer confidence…
by - January 10, 2025 2:43 pm
Arkansas’ economy in the third quarter of 2024 showed “balanced growth” and continued job gains, but declining sales tax revenue, which is a measure of consumer spending, is a concern,…
by - January 9, 2025 12:26 pm
The construction sector again was a strong part of Arkansas’ top four metro areas, with the regions continuing to see economic gains in the third quarter of 2024, according to…
by - September 13, 2024 1:53 pm
Arkansas’ economy in the second quarter of 2024 continued to see substantial gains in non-farm employment and the construction sector, while manufacturing and hospitality faced employment declines. According to The…
by - September 11, 2024 1:10 pm
Arkansas’ top four metro areas continued in the second quarter of 2024 to enjoy economic growth, albeit at a slower rate than in previous quarters, according to the latest The…
by - June 17, 2024 11:57 am
Overall job growth in Arkansas was “robust” in the first quarter of 2024, but a rise in the number of unemployed and manufacturing job losses indicates a resilient economy with…
by - June 13, 2024 4:18 pm
Info in The Compass Report for the first quarter of 2024 suggests that Arkansas’ construction sector could be “a major Arkansas business story,” according to economist Greg Kaza. His view…
by - March 13, 2024 4:46 pm
Data from the fourth quarter The Compass Report shows that building activity, sales tax revenue and slightly muted job growth helped support healthy economies in Arkansas and the state’s top…
by - December 15, 2023 10:16 am
Resilience in most key economic factors resulted in Arkansas and the state’s four top metro areas continuing positive trends, with broad job gains being a primary growth driver, according to…
by - September 21, 2023 6:31 pm
Continued job growth and broad gains in sales tax revenue indicate resilient and healthy economies in Arkansas’ four top metro areas, according to the second quarter 2023 The Compass Report….
by - June 13, 2023 4:36 pm
Arkansas’ four top metro areas are healthy with “robust” and “stable” job growth a common factor in the regions, according to the first quarter 2023 The Compass Report. Job numbers…
by - December 14, 2017 9:33 am
Editor’s note: Because of circumstances beyond our control, we did not produce The Compass Report for the first quarter of 2017. We apologize for any inconvenience. ––––––––––––––––––– Arkansas’ economy remained…
by - June 29, 2017 5:04 pm
Northwest Arkansas and the Jonesboro metros again set new records for employment in May, and the Texarkana (Ark.-Texas) metro area was the only metro area in or connected to Arkansas…
by - May 22, 2017 5:37 pm
Economic conditions in four Arkansas metro areas were mixed in the final quarter of 2016, with the Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith metros ending the year on a positive note…
by - January 3, 2017 4:15 pm
Economic conditions in four Arkansas metro areas remained solid in the third quarter of 2016, with the only negative being slower rates of growth in central and Northwest Arkansas. Compared…
by - October 10, 2016 6:08 am
The second quarter economic story of Arkansas’ four key metro areas was much like the first quarter story: unchanged from the previous quarter, but healthy, with continued job gains and…
by - August 3, 2016 1:03 pm
Editor’s note: This story is a component of The Compass Report. The quarterly Compass Report is managed by Talk Business & Politics, and sponsored by Lowell-based Zero Mountain Logistics, a…
by - July 25, 2016 1:23 pm
Jonesboro’s metro economy began 2016 on a solid note, especially in terms of jobs and sales tax growth, according to The Compass Report. Lower unemployment numbers, job creation, sales and…
by - July 20, 2016 7:02 pm
The overall health of four key Arkansas metro areas was relatively unchanged but strong in the first quarter of 2016, with the regions posting impressive job gains and increased construction…
by - June 1, 2016 11:56 am
Editor’s note: This story is a component of The Compass Report. The quarterly Compass Report is managed by Talk Business & Politics, and sponsored by Lowell-based Zero Mountain Logistics, a…
