University Survey Predicts Healthy Nebraska Economy in the Future
By Aaron Bonderson 
, Report for America Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
Dec. 22, 2021, 4:15 p.m. ·
A Nebraska economic indicator points toward moderate growth of the state’s economy over the next six months. The report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln predicts growth of about 1% in the first half of 2022.
UNL professor Eric Thompson leads the survey and said two factors are expected to drive growth the most heading into 2022.
“The biggest improvements were for business expectations. In other words, their plans for sales and employment over the next six months,” he said. “The second biggest contributor was building permits for single family homes.”
Thompson said the large number of building permit purchases in November suggests healthy activity for the upcoming building season.
Despite the decreasing value of the U.S. dollar, all other components of the university’s survey were positive. Manufacturing working hours and airline passenger counts increased and initial claims for unemployment decreased.