Middle Market Digest-The Midwest

BY THE NUMBERS

CHICAGO—Economic activity has continued to grow at a moderate pace both locally and nationally in the third quarter of 2016, according to MB Real Estate. “Though most economic indicators have shown continuous improvement over the past five years and economic conditions have finally begun to surpass pre-recessionary norms, the recovery has been slower than expected,” the firm said in a recent analysis. “Economic optimism has remained constrained in the face of global uncertainty and heightened political discord.” The August 2016 unemployment rate for Chicago’s MSA was 5.4%, down from 5.6% in August 2015, according to state figures. Chicago’s total MSA nonfarm payroll employment increased by 62,200 during the same time period, with gains occurring primarily in the leisure and hospitality industry.