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 - February 18, 2016 5:32 pm
Job growth and gains in sales tax revenue in Northwest Arkansas and the central Arkansas metro areas continued into the third quarter of 2015, according to The Compass Report. The…
by - December 18, 2015 10:58 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 Arvest Bank. Supporting sponsors of…
by - November 5, 2015 5:57 pm
Two of Arkansas’ largest metro areas continued to see economic improvements during the second quarter of 2015, with the Fort Smith metro economy falling back slightly because of poor job…
by - July 20, 2015 2:10 pm
Gains in employment, sales tax collections and building permits resulted in the best combination of grades for Arkansas’ top three metro economies since the first quarter of 2012 when the…
by - April 9, 2015 11:28 pm
Downtown development and raising expectations were at the core of discussions at the 2015 Compass Conference on Thursday (April 9) evening. Held at the historic Masonic Lodge in downtown Fort…
by - April 9, 2015 12:36 pm
Economic conditions in Arkansas’ three largest metro areas were relatively healthy in the fourth quarter of 2014. Small improvements were seen in the central Arkansas and Fort Smith areas, and…
by - April 8, 2015 2:02 pm
“Grudgingly slow” gains in the U.S. labor market, gains in business investment and increases in consumer spending during the fourth quarter of 2014 point to modest national economic growth in…
by - April 7, 2015 12:23 pm
The combined value of building permits issued in Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren during the first quarter of 2015 was up more than 50% thanks primarily to a $22…
by - March 17, 2015 8:57 pm
The 2015 Compass Conference will focus on downtown Fort Smith development, with the soon-to-be-renovated Masonic Temple to provide a unique venue and format for sixth annual event. “Banking on Downtown…
by - January 19, 2015 1:13 pm
Improved economic conditions and stable air fare rates in 2014 helped the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA) set a new enplanement record, and helped the Fort Smith Regional Airport post…
by - December 22, 2014 1:38 pm
Barring a surprise drop in November and December, travel and tourism tax collections in Fort Smith and Van Buren should end the year on a high note, and Arkansas’ 2%…
by - December 17, 2014 1:53 pm
While not broad, improvements in employment, sales tax collections and tourism sector employment helped push positive economic trends during the third quarter of 2014 for Arkansas’ three largest metro areas….
by - September 17, 2014 2:22 pm
Arkansas’ three largest metro areas showed either improvements or stability during the second quarter of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, according to The Compass Report’s analysis of…
by - July 8, 2014 4:52 pm
Economic conditions in two of Arkansas’ three largest metro areas continue to be stable or improving, with central Arkansas – the state’s largest metro – continuing to show signs of…
by - April 17, 2014 4:15 pm
The 2013 fourth quarter economy in the central Arkansas area received a grade of C- meaning that economic conditions declined slightly compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 and were…
by - April 17, 2014 4:05 pm
Continued gains in employment and sales tax collections helped the Northwest Arkansas economy finish 2013 with a strong fourth quarter, according to The Compass Report. The fourth quarter 2013 grade…
by - April 17, 2014 3:58 pm
The Compass Report for the fourth quarter of 2013 shows that small but broad based gains in key metrics has resulted in the Fort Smith regional economy finishing out 2013…
by - April 2, 2014 3:28 pm
The 5th annual The Compass Conference will be held April 17 and will feature an update on economic conditions – based on data from The Compass Report – in the…
by - December 19, 2013 2:35 pm
The 2013 third quarter economy in the central Arkansas area received a grade of C- meaning that economic conditions declined slightly compared to the third quarter of 2012 but were…
by - December 19, 2013 2:30 pm
Economic conditions for the Northwest Arkansas economy were stronger in the third quarter than in the previous three quarters, with employment and building permit numbers leading the way. The third…
