Economy

Office vacancy rates have climbed provoking decline in office real estate values

Insurance premiums increased more than 50 percent nationally between 2019 and 2024

Construction downcycles are often short-lived

Housing starts in 2025 have not improved from 2024 levels

House prices nationally have increased 50 percent from pre-pandemic levels

Housing starts increased 16 percent over 2020 levels in 2021 when economy was emerging from pandemic

Spending has declined compared to year-ago levels through first five months of this year

Mortgage rates recently stuck in 6.75 percent to 7 percent range for 30-year fixed rate mortgages

Commercial sector offices retail and hotels [is] leading downturn

Last year saw additional 6.5 percent increase bringing three-year growth total to almost 50 percent

Rebound accelerated to 23 percent growth in 2023

Spending on construction of commercial industrial and institutional facilities saw strong surge earlier this decade

Conversion of commercial facilities to residential uses provides basis for optimism

Recovery in homebuilding activity seems unlikely soon

Weakness is projected through 2026

Spending on nonresidential buildings is expected to slow this year

Skuler and colleagues spent $60 million designing the robot to be more social and personalized

Officials began marketing campaign encouraging people to relocate to Tumbler Ridge for affordable housing and proximity to nature

I cover a wide range of gift giving with a specialty in food and drink gifts

We tested over 90 pairs of socks