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. The report is sponsored by Lowell-based Zero Mountain Logistics, which is a subsidiary of Fort Smith-based Zero Mountain.
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 - June 17, 2013 4:36 pm
The value of building permits in Fort Smith, Greenwood and Van Buren were a combined $34.602 million in May. The figure is up significantly from last month, with $18.35 million…
by - June 13, 2013 2:26 pm
With not as many service points as other regional airports, the severe weather during May was a cause in Fort Smith Regional Airport traffic declining almost 3% in May. Traffic…
by - April 12, 2013 11:30 am
Fourth quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway (central Arkansas) metro area were down slightly compared to the fourth quarter of 2011. The quarter saw gains in…
by - April 12, 2013 11:23 am
Economic conditions in Northwest Arkansas remain robust, with regional growth similar to that of the fourth quarter of 2011, but slightly less than in the third quarter of 2012, according…
by - April 12, 2013 11:16 am
From a purely analytical standpoint, the Fort Smith region ended 2012 on a positive note. Fourth quarter 2012 economic conditions were improved compared to the 2011 period, with gains in…
by - April 1, 2013 9:00 pm
A review of economic conditions and the potential to move closer to U.S. energy independence with more use of natural gas are the planned highlights of the 2013 The Compass…
by - December 5, 2012 1:13 pm
Third quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway (central Arkansas) metro area saw limited gains in economic conditions compared to the third quarter of 2011. The quarter…
by - December 5, 2012 1:05 pm
Third quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Northwest Arkansas metro area were improved compared to the third quarter of 2011. Ongoing job growth and consistent gains in area sales tax…
by - December 5, 2012 12:52 pm
Third quarter 2012 economic conditions were not improved compared to the 2011 period, with the number of unemployed in the region weighing negatively on the regional economy. The third quarter…
by - September 4, 2012 12:12 pm
Second quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway (central Arkansas) metro area saw a minor decline in economic conditions compared to the second quarter of 2011. The…
by - September 4, 2012 11:41 am
Second quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Northwest Arkansas metro area were slightly improved compared to the second quarter of 2011. Ongoing job growth and consistent gains in area sales…
by - September 4, 2012 11:26 am
Second quarter 2012 economic conditions dipped slightly compared to the 2011 period, with continued declines in overall employment weighing negatively on the regional economy. Unfortunately, it’s a pattern similar to…
by - June 5, 2012 1:43 pm
The 2012 first quarter economy in the central Arkansas area received a grade of B-, meaning that minor improvements were seen in most current and leading economic indicators. Year-on-year tax…
by - June 5, 2012 1:30 pm
First quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Northwest Arkansas metro area saw improvements compared to the first quarter of 2011. The gains were primarily the result of higher employment and…
by - June 5, 2012 12:30 pm
First quarter 2012 economic conditions in the Fort Smith metro area remained flat compared to the 2011 period, with an ongoing decline in overall employment and building permit values weighing…
by - April 13, 2012 11:00 am
Sales tax collections — to include hospitality taxes —home sales activity and enplanement figures in the area are positive, but high jobless numbers continue to place downward pressure on the…
by - February 24, 2012 4:17 pm
Lake Fort Smith State Park will welcome 10 new cabins by the end of 2012, Richard Davies, executive director of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, said Friday (Feb….
by - February 24, 2012 10:27 am
Fourth quarter 2011 economic conditions declined slightly compared to the 2010 period, with a decline in overall employment and building permit values weighing negatively on continued gains in regional sales…
