MPR: Economy on the Edge

The long boom of the 1990s, when incomes and stock portfolios moved ever upward, and the New Economy promised rising productivity and wealth, seems a distant memory. By summer's end, the state and national economies were already limping to a near standstill, with almost daily reports of layoffs, corporate losses, and slumping financial markets. The fear now is the shock to consumer and business confidence from the terror attacks may tip the economy into full recession. What does the future hold for the state's economy?

Resources
See a list of Web sites about the economy and your own personal fortune.

Credits
News Editor:
Carl Goldstein

Online Editors:
Bob Collins

MPR Web Art Director:
Darby Laing

Researcher:
Betsy Cole

Senior VP of News:
Bill Buzenberg

Where to from here? The weakening U.S. economy had shed 1 million manufacturing jobs over 13 months before September 11th. Minnesota officials are bracing for rising layoffs, but say it's too soon to gauge the attacks' full impact in the state. Read \| Listen

The not-conomy Technology business led the way in the long boom of the 1990s. But the long boom is now looking like a big bust. The dot-com collapse the and the broader economic slowdown have taken their toll on the tech economy. Read \| Listen

Iron Range in crisis Minnesota mining is at a crossroads. A slump in the nation's steel industry has hammered the state's taconite producers. One Minnesota mine has closed, others have cut production and jobs. Read \| Listen

Jobs down, energy up Minnesota business leaders have been warning that power production in the state may not keep up with growing demand over the next 10 to 15 years, and that could harm Minnesota businesses future competitiveness. Now there's a new worry: maintaining the security of the power grid against potential terrorist attacks. Read \| Listen

Small town bust Manufacturing operations in small towns throughout Minnesota thrived during the long boom of the 1990s. But more than 10,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost statewide in the last year. One expert says Minnesota manufacturing is "bleeding." Read \| Listen

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