While the increased production is boosting rural economic activity, many rural residents are concerned about the impacts on quality of life. Wages and prices Labor markets remained tight last month in much of the District, with some continued evidence of wage pressures. Employers say qualified entry-level workers and computer programmers were hard to find, and manufacturers report difficulty hiring engineers and skilled craftspeople. Some companies say they raised wages more than normal for entry-level workers and certain skilled positions, but other companies say wage increases were about normal. Prices held steady at the retail level while increasing slightly for some materials used in manufacturing.
Retailers expect no major price changes in coming months.