Multifamily development shows little change from the last Beige Book. Manufacturing Manufacturing activity varied with strength in some sectors, weakness in others. New Orleans contacts note that optimism remains high in the oil and gas sector, where equipment fabrication and manufacturing bookings remain at a strong pace. Although Georgia reports indicate falling new orders and shrinking factory workweeks for apparel producers, and decreasing factory payrolls and employment for some producers of consumer electronics and appliances, new orders are increasing for manufacturers of industrial machinery and fabricated metal products. The tourism and hospitality industries continue to perform well.
Tourism is still strong at central Florida theme parks, where several large expansions are underway.
In Miami and Palm Beach, tourism continues to set records. Hotel and motel bookings through March are said to be ahead of last year's at the same time. In Louisiana, casino boat revenues in Baton Rouge are up by double-digits from a year ago, and Alexandria's new riverfront convention center is expected to boost the number of conventions booked to that part of the state. Financial Most banking contacts in the Sixth District report that overall loan demand grew moderately in recent weeks. Consumer loan demand increased slightly, while commercial lending remained strong and stable.