US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
State of American Business: Moving Technology Ahead
It wasn’t too long ago that technology was considered its own business sector. But now – from transportation and energy to finance and medicine – technology is deeply integrated across sectors and across our economy. Businesses rely on technology to interact with their customers, improve their services, and make their operations more globally competitive. Technology is transforming all industries, which helps grow our economy.
By transforming these industries, technology is also creating the jobs of the future. New jobs are being created across our economy; they can be seen anywhere from transportation logistics to programmers and radiologists. In 2016 there were 6 million jobs in the U.S. technology industry with expected growth of 4.1% this year.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/state-american-business-moving-technology-ahead
Optimism Soars for Midsize Businesses
Midsize businesses are a critical component of our economy, providing nearly 40 million jobs and 40% of America’s GDP. They are yesterday’s small businesses and tomorrow’s Fortune 500 success stories. To get a better sense of what Washington can do to help them grow, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce partnered with RSM—a leading tax and accounting company—to produce the quarterly Middle Market Business Index.
According to the first quarter study released last week, leaders of America’s midsize companies reported record-high levels of optimism. They like much of what they’ve heard from our government leaders, especially regarding tax reform, fixing our health care system, and reducing federal regulations. They see these as enormous opportunities to jolt our economy and grow their businesses. Yet that optimism comes with a caveat: They’re waiting to make investments until Washington proves that it can actually deliver on its promises.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/optimism-soars-midsize-businesses
The EU At 60: The Promise Of The Project Endures
This weekend, the European Union celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which bound Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg together into the European Economic Community.
The EU stands as a political achievement that has brought peace, prosperity, and global influence to the bloc. By integrating into a single market of over 500 million consumers, the EU has laid the groundwork for workers, consumers, and companies to succeed in a fast-changing global economy.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/the-eu-60-the-promise-the-project-endures
Keystone XL Decision Signals “New Era for American Energy Policy”
Today, President Trump announced that his Administration granted the cross border permit needed for the Keystone XL pipeline.
This decision signals that the President is serious about building needed infrastructure to help put Americans back to work and improve North American energy and economic security. After nine years of politicized processes and decision making on pipeline infrastructure by the Obama Administration, this is a welcome move forward for our entire nation. (Press release issued 3. 24. 17
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/keystone-xl-decision-signals-new-era-american-energy-policy
Thanks to Shale Gas, Electricity Prices Moderate Across the Nation
Each year, the Energy Institute issues an update of our annual retail electricity price map, based upon the year-end electricity price data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The prices shown on our map best reflect what business, industry, and consumers must pay for a given unit – or kilowatt hour (kWh) – of electricity. This year’s map, with the most complete data for calendar year 2016, appears above.
https://www.uschamber.com/above-the-fold/thanks-shale-gas-electricity-prices-moderate-across-the-nation
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