When it comes to the economy, the city of Rockford attracts headlines for its consistently high unemployment rate. But a new federal report says the area’s GDP rate posted a strong gain in 2011, beating the national average. That information from the Bureau of of Economic Analysis was highlighted in a recent article from Register Star reporter Alex Gary.
He spoke with WNIJ’s Mike Moen about what’s driving Rockford’s economy.
Some highlights from the BEA report:
* Rockford's GDP increased by 4.26 percent in 2011.
* Rockford’s GDP in 2011 was $12.9 billion. That meant the area ranked 150th out of the nation’s 366 metropolitan areas.