The District economy continues to grow at a brisk pace.
Most contacts report growth in sales and demand.
Despite continuing difficulties filling some job vacancies, upward wage pressures remain at bay. Housing markets throughout the District are still very strong, with many still on pace for record sales and growth this year. Despite persistent heat and the lack of adequate rainfall in July, crops remain in mostly good condition across District states. Manufacturing and Other Business Activity District contacts, for the most part, continue to report increases in the pace of economic activity, although many are still being hampered somewhat by a lack of available, qualified workers to fill job vacancies. Several contacts in the construction industry have noted that it has become extremely difficult to attract young workers into the trades, which adds to the labor strain.