Welcome to the Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Strengthening Your Business and Our Community
Economic Forecast
On January 18, premier economist and financial advisor Dr. Henry Fishkind spoke to a full house at the Manatee Economic Development Corporation's Economic Forecast Breakfast. Dr. Fishkind's presentation, with information on financial recovery, geographic trends, job growth, gross domestic product, and more, is available online.
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UMich Reports Consumer Sentiment Rises to 74 in January
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- A gauge of consumer sentiment reached 74 in the preliminary reading for January, the highest level since May, compared with 69.9 in December, according to Friday reports on the data from the University of Michigan and Thomson Reuters. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a January reading 73 on higher stock prices and improving jobs conditions. The sentiment gauge, which covers how consumers view their personal finances as well as business and buying conditions, averaged about 87 in the year before the start of the most recent recession. Economists watch sentiment data to get a feel for the direction of consumer spending.
Taken from MarketWatch by the Wall Street Journal.
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Ask the Tech Forum from the Manatee Chamber
The Manatee Chamber and its Technology Committee is pleased to provide the Ask the Tech Forum for area businesses to get answers regarding technology questions that affect their businesses.
This interactive online service was designed to provide you with technology answers needed to improve your bottom line. The forum is easy to use. First you'll need a username and password, so look at the top right corner of the page and click the arrow next to Welcome, then click Sign In. A set of tabs will appear, one of which is Create Account. There are just six fields to fill out and you'll be on your way. Once you have an account, you can post as often as you need! Right now, we have four categories to choose from, but new categories can be added if needed.
Choose your category and read some of the questions posed by members. If you don't see your question listed, post it!