The consumer price index (CPI) went up from 237.693 in June 2014 to 237.909 in July 2014, an annualized rate of 1.09%. 
The price index for medical care commodities went up at an annualized rate of 3.99% from June 2014 to July 2014. During the same period, the price index for medical care services and hospital and related services went up at an annualized rate of 1.44% and 5.01%, respectively, whereas professional services went down at an annualized rate of 0.59%. Image source: http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-54762670/stock-photo-background-concept-illustration-consumer-price-index.html
Month: August 2014
Texas crude oil and natural gas production decreased from May 2014 to June 2014
Texas crude oil production for June 2014 was 64,710,024 barrels, down from 69,834,679 barrels reported in May 2014. Texas natural gas production was 602,891,617 Mcf (thousand cubic feet) of gas in June 2014, down from the May 2014 gas production total of 648,498,363 Mcf.
Healthcare jobs increased from June 2014 to July 2014
The health care and social assistance industry gained 100 jobs from June 2014 to July 2014. Compared to July 2013, the cumulative number of jobs added in this industry is 33,300, an annual increase of 2.5%.
Image source: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2012/01/06/health-care-sector-adds-jobs-as-overall-employment-picture-looks-healthier/
Percentages, rates of increases, and change factors: what’s the difference?
One question that comes up all the time in our work is what is the difference between a percentage change and a rate of increase? Answer: They are the same idea, just expressed differently. For instance, if you say the price of oil increased by 100% that is the same as saying that the price of oil doubled.
So mathematically, the 100% increase is equal to a 2.0 times increase. So generally, you can subtract one from a change factor (i.e. 2.0 times higher) to get the percentage increase.
Texas RN’s, therapists, and PA’s see decrease in job openings from May to June
The number of job openings in Texas for nurses, therapists, and physician assistants decreased from 9,612 to 9,298 from May 2014 to June 2014. The searcher-to-job opening ratio increased from 1.09 to 1.52 during that same span.
Image source: http://www.carrollhs.org/s/1253/index.aspx?pgid=877
Median rent and housing prices on average increased for three largest Eagle Ford Shale MSAs
Median rent rose in both San Antonio and Laredo from May 2014 to June 2014; it fell in Corpus Christi during the same span.
Median house prices for San Antonio and Corpus Christi rose from May 2014 to June 2014. Median house prices for Laredo fell from May 2014 to June 2014. 
Image source: http://www.asemooni.com/news/economic-news/the-president-agreed-with-the-increase-in-housing
Business closure rates study
SBA study on business closure rates (as opposed to failure) provides some insights on business survival rates. In a 2003 study, the SBA found 50 % survived, 17% were successful but closed and 33% closed and unsuccessful after 4-5 years.
The study found 39.5% survived after 6 years.
Source:
Headd, Brian, “Redefining Business Success: Distinguishing Between Closure and Failure,” Small Business Economics, 21, 2003, pp. 51-61, reprinted by the Office of Advocacy, U.S. Small Business Administration, 2003.
Texas oil and gas extraction jobs grew by 0.9% from June 2014 to July 2014
Texas hydro-fracturing job openings decreased from May 2014 to June 2014
The number of job openings in Texas for “petroleum engineers” and “geological and petroleum technicians” decreased from 640 in May 2014 to 622 in June 2014, while the searcher-to-job opening ratio increased from 0.90 to 1.4 in the same span.
The number of job openings in Texas for “derrick operators” and “roustabouts” decreased from 283 in May 2014 to 270 in June 2014, while the searcher-to-job opening ratio increased from 2.63 to 3.01 in the same span. 
Image source: http://wonderfulengineering.com/what-is-petroleum-engineering/.
What attracts people and employers to some cities but not others ?
Economies of agglomeration
A:Economies of agglomeration
Prof. Moretti in his book ‘Geography of Jobs’ identifies three things, that economists collectively refer to as the forces of agglomeration, as driving factors.
One is the size and thickness of the specific labor markets. Thick markets allow workers and employers to make better and better informed and longer lasting employer matches.
Two is the ecosystem. Effectively, Moretti shows how the soil that we are planted with our employers is a huge contributor to our individual success. For instance he resents several interesting examples that show how both smart and not-so smart people benefit from being around smart people.
The number of cited patents example is particularly interesting and telling. He also makes it clear that having access to funding is made easier when the cities’ ecosystem is better developed.
Three are knowledge spilling overs.