Compass Reports

The Compass Report is the only independent economic analysis of Arkansas’ top three metro areas (Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith region). The report measures four leading and four current economic indicators to provide a grade for a regional economy.

A key factor in understanding The Compass is in understanding the “grading” approach used to measure the current and leading economic indicators. The strategy is to place the most recent data in historical context. Average values for the percent change over the referenced time period were calculated, as were standard deviations for each measure.

View the Fort Smith Region report
View the Central Arkansas report
View the Northwest Arkansas report

The Consumer Compass Report: 40% say area economy will worsen in next year

More than 40% of Fort Smith regional residents surveyed in the inaugural The Consumer Compass survey say their personal financial situation is worse than it was a year ago.

Thu, 09/02/2010 - 10:36am

The Compass Report: Regional economy relatively flat during second quarter

The good news is that the Fort Smith regional economy did not slip during the second quarter. The bad news is, it didn’t get better.

Thu, 09/02/2010 - 10:24am

The Compass Report

U.S. economic conditions see stability in early 2010.

Fri, 05/28/2010 - 7:03am

The Compass Report: Regional economy sees conditions improve in early 2010

Gains in regional building permits and a leveling off in the unemployment rate helped boost the economic “grade” of the Fort Smith regional economy during the first quarter of 2010.

Thu, 05/27/2010 - 9:12am

The Compass Report: Regional economy still struggling, but conditions improving

A positive view of Fort Smith regional economic conditions is that 2009 is history and 2010 is expected to deliver a better regional economy.

Tue, 02/16/2010 - 2:23pm

The Compass Conference to feature Maria Haley, 2010 regional economic look

The first annual The Compass Conference will include comments from Arkansas’ economic development chief and the regional boss of Sparks Health System in Fort Smith and Summit Medical

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 10:30am

The Compass: Interim report predicts no area tax revenue relief until late 2010

When it comes to regional sales tax and hospitality tax collections, there is nothing for which to be thankful. Sorry.

Sun, 11/29/2009 - 8:37pm

The Compass report indicates further economic decline in the metro area

The second quarter of 2009 saw Fort Smith regional economic conditions worsen thanks to declining sales tax collections and rising unemployment, according to the The Compass report

Tue, 08/18/2009 - 6:30am

The Compass: Mid-quarter report focuses on regional subdivision activity

Less than 5% of lots in active Fort Smith subdivisions have a completed but unoccupied home, an indication the Fort Smith regional housing sector is stable, according to inform

Fri, 06/26/2009 - 11:59am

‘The Compass’ is the first ever comprehensive economic analysis of Fort Smith metro area

story by Michael Tilley; artwork by Jake McTyre

Tue, 05/12/2009 - 5:29am

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