Mountain West output, jobs trail nation in economic recovery

The Intermountain West is heading into new and unwelcome economic territory, according to a quarterly report by the Brookings Institution’s regional study program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

For the first time in 35 years, the region is lagging behind the rest of the nation’s recovery from a recession and may need some "soul searching," according to Brookings Mountain West co-director Mark Muro. Heavily invested in real estate and construction in such previous growth areas as Las Vegas, Boise, Idaho, and St. George, he said, the region as a whole crashed hard and needs diversification.

It particularly needs export businesses, he said.

By Brandon Loomis

Full Story: http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_14687655

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