Webb: Economy growing slowly, ‘boring’

JACKSON — An expert says Mississippi’s economy is growing slowly but still lags behind the pace of the U.S. economy overall.

State economist Darrin Webb spoke to lawmakers at the Capitol today. He says the state and nation have a “boring kind of economy” right now, with slow job growth and shaky consumer confidence.

Webb says Mississippi was one of only four states showing a decline in non-farm employment from 2011 to 2012. The others were New Mexico, Wisconsin and Rhode Island.

He says 26 of Mississippi’s 82 counties lost jobs from 2011 to 2012. That’s an improvement from the 46 that lost jobs a year earlier.

Treasurer Lynn Fitch told lawmakers the state has a solid double-A bond rating from all three ratings agencies.