It’s produced by the Tampa Bay Partnership.
The latest data presents generally positive results. Sales prices of existing single-family homes hit a new record, and airline passenger traffic in the region increased from the prior month, surpassing 2 million passengers for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
While the preliminary April unemployment rose from the March level, it reflects an increase in both employment and total labor force from the prior month. Initial claims for unemployment benefits averaged 2,940 per week over the past four weeks for which data is available, which is higher than the previous reporting period (1,940 per week) and nearly triple pre-pandemic levels of roughly 1,000 per week.
Mobility data continues to hold steady, even as residents receive vaccinations, suggesting (for the moment) no quick return to pre-pandemic commuting behaviors.
Finally, regional sales and use tax collections, which fell sharply in the initial months of the pandemic, have (as of last month) absorbed those losses, although the recovery has not occurred in all counties in the region.
This monthly update on the regional economic dashboard highlights key trends and changes that our community leaders should closely monitor.
