State economists see improved outlook for Oklahoma next year

Dan Rickman

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Two state economists say Oklahoma’s economy will likely improve next year, with the strongest growth coming in the construction, education and leisure and hospitality sectors.

Oklahoma State University’s Dan Rickman says he expects businesses to add about a half percentage point of jobs to nonfarm employment categories next year. Rickman, who chairs OSU’s regional economic analysis team, says he believes the Oklahoma City area will see the strongest growth, followed by Tulsa.

But outside of those two areas, he says, employment is expected to decline. The Oklahoman reports (http://bit.ly/2hox8hW ) that Rickman expects continued losses in manufacturing but by smaller numbers than in 2016.

Also this week, University of Oklahoma economist Robert Dauffenbach said the state can look forward to “promises of huge tax breaks” and the recovery of energy markets.