Washington Business Summer 2018 | Washington Business | Page 28

Anatomy of
an Economy
Richard S. Davis
Washington’s
diverse regional
economies show the
state’s strengths and
opportunities
Accelerating out of the
recession ahead of the
nation, the state economy
has been rightly celebrated
by Washington political,
business and civic leaders.
Economic growth has
provided jobs, reduced
the unemployment rate in
nearly every county in the state, boosted
paychecks, and sustained public spending.
The state’s 4.8 percent personal income growth
in 2017 ranked first in the nation, well above the
overall national growth rate of 3.1 percent.