September 29th, 2008
The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) is a monthly estimate by major industry of manufacturing output in the Seventh Federal Reserve District states of lllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It is a composite index of 15 manufacturing industries that uses hours worked data to measure monthly changes in regional activity.
 Latest CFMMI Release
The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) declined 2.6% in August, to a seasonally adjusted level of 103.5 (2002 = 100). Revised data show the index increased 0.2% in July, to 106.2. (PDF,105KB)
More about the CFMMI
The CFMMI provides a regional comparison with the manufacturing component of the Industrial Production Index (IPMFG) compiled by the Federal Reserve Board. Although the IPMFG is constructed differently than the CFMMI, it also uses hours worked data as measures of industry output for about 60 percent of its total production index.
See the report here….
http://www.chicagofed.org/economic_research_and_data/files/cfmmi_august2008.pdf
September 29th, 2008
This morning I attended the Business Forum with a representative from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates. Also in attendance were representatives from the Chamber, RAEDC, RACVB and a major restaurant. After discussing strengths and challenges of the District 205 School District, we opened up about key characteristics of the new superintendent that we thought were important.
The need for a Strategic Plan was one of the first requirements; a Plan approved by the board so that the superintendent would execute. It was apparent that this plan does not exist and needs to be available as they start to finalize the candidates. It seems that some work to the end was being done and hopefully would be made available before a final selection was made.
Strong leaderships skills, engaging with the “customers” a collaborator, one who could “roll up his/her sleeves” and connect with the various organizations in the community were among the major characteristics that we thought were important. As business people and organizations, we see the workforce element of the job very important so the person need not a straight academic but one who has business skills to better understand what the community (customers) needs.
We all felt that the process was good and as it develops, we hope that input will be asked again as the finalists are narrowed down and more of us get the chance to add our opinions. It’s an important selection, so stay tuned.
