Economy looks up in '07

The local economy got off to a strong start in 2006 with the opening of several restaurants, Sam's Club and Kohl's.

But things slowed dramatically in midyear.

Through November, 137 fewer houses were under construction than a year earlier. That represents about $11.5 million less spent on new houses so far this year.

And sales of new cars and trucks were down by 177 through October.

"The stock market is mixed," Nick Brake, president of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp., said recently. "The dollar is not in good shape, particularly in Europe. The housing market is not as strong here as it has been. But it's not as bad as a lot of places."

State experts claim economy perking up

The economic view for Connecticut in 2007 is better now than it seemed in earlier predictions, but economists are still expecting slow growth overall.

"I suspect that -- housing will be somewhat more affordable. That's a good thing," said Stanley McMillen, managing economist for the state Department of Economic and Community Development, on Wednesday.

However, more affordable housing comes at the expense of construction jobs and consumer spending, which he said could decline when house values do.

McMillen outlined his expectations in the January edition of The Connecticut Economic Digest, a monthly publication by the Department of Economic and Community Development and the state Department of Labor.