TWO STORIES OUT THIS WEEK SHOW AREA’S WEAKENING ECONOMIC CONDITION.

1. Survey: Thurston consumer confidence falls in 3Q

Consumer confidence in Thurston County fell in the third quarter of the year as the state of the slower South Sound labor market continues to weigh on people’s minds, a new survey has found.

“That survey is the Thurston County Economic Development Council’s economic vitality index. Reflected as a number, consumer confidence fell to 85 in the third quarter of the year, down from 102 in the first quarter of the year.

Households’ negative perceptions of the labor market are a major factor in the downward trend in the consumer confidence index as well as their perceptions of the future economic climate, the index states.

The expectation index also fell, down 23 points from the previous quarter to stand at 145…

The economic vitality index is based on a random representative sample of 2,000 county households. The index is a partnership between the Thurston County EDC,
Saint Martin’s University,
Jason Roberts and Associates,
the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
and
Joseph Beaulieu of First Citizens Bank [Washington].
The index is compiled by Riley Moore, associate professor of economics, school of business, Saint Martin’s University,” quoting The Olympian.

2. County’s home sales and median price

“Closed [home] sales in Thurston County also were down, falling from 265 during September 2009 to 247 last month. The median price also was lower, falling from $242,000 to $233,000, ” quoting the Business Examiner.

UPDATE:
“WA retail sales were down 1 percent in 2nd quarter”
From this morning’s Olympian.