WCDO Radio News

The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council will meet tomorrow at 12:45 PM at Binghamton University in Vestal. The council will consider re-allocation for projects funded in the 3rd round of competitive funding, and endorse priority projects for the upcoming 4th round. The Southern Tier region consists of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties

After 3 straight months of gains, consumer confidence in New York fell sharply in July, according to the latest poll from the Siena Research Institute.  New York’s index of consumer sentiment fell 5.3 points to 73.5 in July, nationwide the rate fell 0.7 points to 81.8.  51% of New Yorkers said gas prices are having a serious impact, 67% indicate that groceries was also a serious impact on their finances.

Upstate residents continue to be more positive about their current economic status than they are about the future, according to the Siena Research Institute’s monthly Index of Consumer Sentiment. The current pulse of upstate consumer sentiment yields a 83.4 index, up more than 2 points since January. consumer confidence dips to 68.4, up 2 points from January, but still far lower than New York City’s 79.8. Overall, the state’s confidence index fell 1.2 points in February, while the nation’s index rose by 0.4 points

Consumer confidence fell in every region of the state during the last three months of 2013 according to Siena College. New York City consumers expressed the most optimism heading into 2014, while the Binghamton region showed the most pessimism. Every region of the state showed a decline over the fourth quarter of 2013 compared to 2012, while each portion of the state outside of Long Island dipped from the 3rd quarter to the 4th quarter of last year.

State consumer confidence fell flat in December according to a Siena Research Institute poll. The state consumer sentiment poll is released each month and measures people’s willingness to spend as opposed to their ability to spend. The state’s consumer index in December was 73.6, up 0.3 from November. The nation’s consumer index rose 7.4 points to 82.5 in December.

Consumer confidence in New York State has dropped to a 20-month low. The monthly Index of Consumer Sentiment, conducted by Siena College, found buying plans were down on most products, including vehicles, electronics and homes. New York’s consumer index fell 2.1 points in August, while the nation’s index dropped 3 points. New York’s consumer sentiment was 73.3, which was 8.8 points below the nation’s index of 82.1. Consumer confidence was higher among New York City area residents, but lower among upstate residents.

The Latest Siena Poll out yesterday said that consumer confidence in the state of New York and the rest of the country sank during the month of August, putting overall sentiment in the state was at it's lowest level since December of 2011.

New Yorkers’ consumer confidence numbers are up in all areas of the state outside of New York City.  The latest consumer survey suggests over 17% of Southern Tier residents expect to make a major home improvement in the next 6 months.