The ranking was part of a new study by Dr. David F. Scott Jr., executive director, Dr. Phillips Institute for the Study of American Business Activity, and Phillips-Schenck Chairholder, University of Central Florida.

Orlando was ranked sixth in the nation in apartment construction activity, behind Las Vegas, Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, Atlanta, Phoenix-Mesa and metro Charlotte.

Las Vegas has led the index since 1988. The gambling capital of the country posted 32.71 permits per 1,000 nonfarm jobs. Orlando had 19.66 permits per 1,000 jobs, a decline of 0.8% from the average quarterly rate across all of 2000.

The UCF numbers support local industry reports of a predicted slowdown in new apartment construction after a torrid 1999 volume. Statistics for the fourth quarter and full year are being completed.

The university's index involves 61 metropolitan statistical areas having nonfarm payroll workforces of at least 500,000 jobs.

The index shows "the sheer number of authorized permits to the payroll jobs base in each metro area," Scott tells GlobeSt.com. "This procedure provides both a locally-oriented measure of construction vigor and serves as a leading indicator of confidence by local building contractors in the economic strength of the region."

Although Orlando slipped in the rankings, Florida cities collectively outshone the other states by placing five metro areas in the top 20 strongest permit activity areas.

The rankings, showing permits pulled per 1,000 nonagricultural jobs, are: Las Vegas, 32.71; Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, 23.67; Atlanta, 23.54; Phoenix-Mesa, 22.64; Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, 20.08; Orlando, 19.66; Riverside-San Bernardino, CA, 19.36; Denver, 18.31; Sacramento, 17.17; Jacksonville, FL, 16.72.

Also: West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, 15.51; Indianapolis, 14.50; Nashville, 14.10; Austin-San Marcos, TX, 13.50; Ft. Worth-Arlington, TX, 13.19; Columbus, OH, 13.16; Dallas, 12.90; Tampa-St. Petersburg, 12.64; Greensboro-Winston Salem, NC, 12.63; and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, FL, 12.05.

The index was devised by and is maintained by Scott's department.

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