BRAC’s Economic Indicator Dashboard examines and assesses the impact of COVID-19 on the regional economy, taking into account a number of data points to illustrate the economy’s current state, and to keep businesses informed as it rebounds. Past dashboards are archived on brac.org/recovery.
This is the last dashboard for 2020. In 2021, the dashboard will transition to a monthly format, with the first being released in late January.
Key findings from this week’s dashboard include:
- Unemployment claims fell again, this time to 11,978 initial and continued claims for the week;
- While consumer spending is down slightly in East Baton Rouge, it is up in Ascension and Livingston, and there is hope that the new federal stimulus will boost spending across the region;
- Hotel occupancy remains low as federal and state guidance advises against holiday travel; and
- Mobility remained relatively static except for retail and recreation travel, which saw an uptick in most parishes.