Here Are 13 US Cities In Recession

Steven Perlberg

Feb 4, 2014, 2:52 AM

Cities in America are finally starting to return to health.

351 metro areas will see job gains for 2014, according to a new report published by the Conference of Mayors and produced by IHS Global Insight.

The U.S. economy is poised to accelerate in 2014, according to the report.

“Consumers will increase discretionary spending in response to solid gains in employment, income, and asset values,” IHS writes. “Homebuilding will surge until 2016, when it catches up with demand.”

Still, some cities were heading in the opposite direction last year.

We pulled the cities from the report who saw GMP (“gross metro product”) contract by 2% or more in 2013.

13. Idaho Falls, ID

2013 employment change: 1.8%

2013 GMP change: -2.0%

Idaho Falls is home to the headquarters of the United Potato Growers of Idaho.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

12. Duluth, MN

2013 employment change: 0.1%

2013 GMP change: -2.1%

A handful of aircraft manufacturers are based in Duluth, like Cirrus Aircraft.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

11. Norwich-New London, CT

2013 employment change: -0.9%

2013 GMP change: -2.1%

New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio recently announced a proposal to raise the city's minimum wage for municipal employees to $US10.10.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

9. Charlottesville, VA

2013 employment change: -1.9%

2013 GMP change: -2.2%

The University of Virginia Medical Center is the largest employer in Charlottesville.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

8. Pocatello, ID

2013 employment change: -0.3%

2013 GMP change: -2.2%

Idaho State University is the biggest employer in Pocatello.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

7. Salisbury, MD

2013 employment change: -1.9%

2013 GMP change: -2.2%

Poultry giant Perdue Farms is based in Salisbury.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

6. Binghamton, NY

2013 employment change: -0.4%

2013 GMP change: -2.3%

Binghampton University is one of the biggest drivers of the local economy.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

5. Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV

2013 employment change: -2.6%

2013 GMP change: -2.6%

Steubenville and Weirton are both steel towns.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

4. Yuma, AZ

2013 employment change: -1.9%

2013 GMP change: -3.2%

The Marine air station in Yuma employs the most people.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight

3. Lafayette, LA

2013 employment change: 2.0%

2013 GMP change: -3.2%

'Leading indicators are pointing up, which includes such things as building permits, local stock prices, things that have to do with business orders and housing,' University of Louisiana at Lafayette economics professor Cary Heath told the local paper recently.

Source: Conference of Mayors / IHS Global Insight