U.S. Mayors Conference Issues Metro Economies Report

The U.S. Conference of Mayors recently issued a report that shows that the nation’s cities and their metro areas continue to make steady progress toward economic recovery. The report also warns that failure to dramatically increase investment in transportation infrastructure could cause skyrocketing costs to families, commuters, and businesses, potentially doubling over the next decade.

The report, U.S. Metro Economies: Outlook - Gross Metropolitan Product, and Critical Role of Transportation Infrastructure, examines the impact that population increases, employment growth, export expansion, and economic output will have on metropolitan areas.

The report forecasts that by the end of 2012, 300 of the nation’s 363 metro areas will experience real economic growth (gross metro product), and predicts that over the remainder of the year the nation’s economy will see 1.4 percent increase in employment and a real GDP growth of 2.0 percent. Prepared by IHS Global Insight, the report also projects that household budgets will receive a boost from falling gas prices that are expected to decline to $3.11/gallon by the fall.

To access a list of the report’s key findings, please visit:

U.S. Metro Economies: Key Findings (July 2012)

To access a copy of the complete report, please visit:

U.S. Conference of Mayors: U.S. Metro Economies: Outlook - Gross Metropolitan Product, and Critical Role of Transportation Infrastructure (July 2012)