For this morning’s show: Money Matters Monday-On The Mark, we will spend a few moments recapping the economic news of 2023 with a hyper-focus on the Greater Susquehanna Valley. Then in celebration of our nation’s largest and longest running indoor agricultural exhibition, the Pennsylvania Farm Show, we will spend our remaining time on the topic of food and our local ag economy.
The December US Employment Situation Report came out last Friday morning, December 5th, so during the show we expect to spend some time interpreting what the monthly report suggested about our national economy and what the newly released data might mean for businesses and residents here in the Greater Susquehanna Valley.
The big numbers from Friday’s report were:
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Friday’s report indicated a slowing economy with job growth just over 216,000 jobs created nationally, with unemployment holding steady at 3.7% capping a year of solid job growth where a total of 2.7 million jobs were added.
The show will open with welcoming and sponsor remarks made by Joe McGranaghan, followed by a conversation between Aimee Buehner, Chamber Chair and top realtor in the valley; Jeff Reber, Chamber Vice Chair and Union County Commissioner; and Chamber President, Bob Garrett.
So, how are we doing
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (workstats.dli.pa.gov.dashboards/Pages/Labor-Stats.aspx) county-by-county report, Greater Susquehanna Valley counties returned to their historic low unemployment rates, continuing to be among the lowest in the state as compared to all other counties. Montour holding steady again this month at 2.9%, and Union ticking up to 3.3% with Montour tied with Chester County at 3rd lowest in the state behind Adams at 2.7%, and with Lancaster and Centre 2.8%. Snyder dropped to 3.5% and Northumberland nudged up slightly to 4.4%. Pennsylvania’s unemployment was down to 3.4%. Our state’s Participation Rate dipped slightly to 61.9% with a national Participation Rate of 62.7%. Both rates are ‘anemic,’ and are not considered to be sufficient to keep our economy growing and strong over the long run.
