Consumer confidence in Lancaster County improved again in April, hitting its highest mark of the pandemic, an encouraging omen for the slowly recovering local economy.Â
The monthly Consumer Sentiment Index, based on a local survey taken the first seven days of the month, rose nearly six points, climbing to 94.4 from Marchâs 88.5.Â
In doing so, the April mark surpassed the indexâs previous peak of 92.6, posted in October. At the same time, the index stayed substantially above the national consumer-confidence score, as usual. The national score was 86.5, a modest improvement from Marchâs 83.0.Â
The local indexâs second consecutive monthly upturn occurred as Lancaster Countyâs mass vaccination campaign began to hit its stride and Gov. Tom Wolf loosened restrictions on restaurants, theaters, fitness centers and outdoor venues, noted economist Naomi Young.Â
Three highlights from Lancaster Chamber s 2021 State of the County lancasteronline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lancasteronline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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A leading indicator of unemployment in Lancaster County dropped significantly closer to its pre-pandemic norm last week, new data shows.
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âThe trend in initial claims suggests conditions are normalizing,â said economist Naomi Young, director of the Economic Development Company of Lancaster Countyâs Center for Regional Analysis.
âThe data shows the demographic composition of those filing and the overall levels of (new) claims beginning to look more âpre-pandemic.â This is a good sign, but a full recovery is a ways off,â she said.