While the nation's economy showed some significant signs of life in the first half of 2011, the state's economy continues to bounce along the bottom.

When you compare employment numbers in February 2011 to February 2010, Arizona added 20,000 jobs in certain sectors that posted job growth.

Listen or read: The state received discouraging words recently about last year's employment numbers and about population growth over the last decade.Retail sales showed a glimmer of hope, however, and unemployment appears to be stabilizing. Economist Dennis Hoffman of the L.

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, the main challenge facing the U.S. and its trading partners was a return to growth. After these economies improved in 2010, the outlook now for the main trading partners of the U.S.

Elinor Ostrom, the 2009 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, told the audience at the Economic Club of Phoenix Luncheon that there's ample evidence to prove that polycentric, or multilevel, approaches — even relatively easy fixes that can be implemented by local communities, busines

Annual employment revisions recently issued by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics brought more bad news for the Arizona economy. Preliminary monthly job growth figures had previously indicated improving labor market conditions as the year ended.

Read or listen: A report on real estate market conditions in Phoenix shows that foreclosures represented 43 percent of total transactions in February.

"Arizona is stuck in a vicious cycle right now," says Lee McPheters, research professor at the W. P. Carey School of Business and director of the JPMorgan Chase Economic Outlook Center. "Homes come onto the market from foreclosure and that weakens prices.

"Polymath" is the Greek word for Renaissance man — one who excels at many things. But if, centuries ago, society needed a Da Vinci or a Franklin, the grand challenges of today call for teams of experts.

Tod C.