While general business levels have improved, the near-term attitude for key industries and the greater economy is still weak as companies try to shake off recession.

Although if you have a job with a certain company now, you are more likely to keep it then you were a year ago even if large companies are still on hiring freeze. If you’re out of work, it’s still going to be difficult to find work, perhaps a little bit easier than last year.

Small businesses are finding it easier to get loans, a development that could help jump-start a moderate recovery and lackluster job outlook. Small firms lower than 100 workers take up half the labor force and account for two-thirds of jobs. They’ve benefited far less from the upswing that began in mid-2009 than larger firms because they commonly haven’t taken part in export growth, and rely on banks rather than corporate markets for financing.

Many small businesses still criticize that credit is tight, but senior loan officers surveyed by the Federal Reserve said their standards for small-business loans alleviated for the second-straight quarter. A chief economist stated that this looks like the start of a serious improvement.
The Labor Department said jobless claims are constantly falling since July 2008, indicating that the small firms sector is improving. Financial institutions are also on stronger financial footing, with more capital and fewer bad loans placing the industry in a better position to increase lending. Interest rates are so low that banks can rarely make a profit by investing depositors’ money in Treasury bonds, making them start to take on more risks. There was a 4.1% growth in annual rates in commercial and industrial loans by small banks, which largely serve small firms.
But credit conditions aren’t as favorable as they were before the 2008 financial crisis and most lenders are still tight-fisted. Imposing tougher lending standards following the financial crisis are still being pressed on to banks. And most small businesses are not trying to borrow as they have yet to see a strong pickup in the economy. Many laid-off workers have tried to start their own businesses and are trying to apply for loans, but a vast majority of them are not qualified or turned down.

A banks’ willingness to lend could fuel small-business expansions as demand grows, but with the economy in its present state, lenders may require a borrower more collateral or boast a higher credit score. A number of banks have more confidence that home prices aren’t collapsing and are lending more to home builders.

With smaller companies slowly growing and hiring more, a vast majority of unemployed people will get new jobs.

Major industries are also adding jobs with significant increases in construction employment. Mining and logging also posted an increase in hired workers. Education and health services are seen to further increase the number of people employed. “People will always need health care no matter how bad the economy gets”, as stated by one economist.

Nursing graduates are able to find jobs but not always in the area or shift they preferred. One place nurses find jobs is in hospitals but there are also opportunities in unexpected areas. Many nurses also find work outside the country.

Employment prospects for graduating and recent graduates are seemingly a bit brighter than they were a year ago. Hiring of bachelors’-degree holders is forecast to increase. A recent survey showed that companies would consider any major for a position, which speaks of the value of the credential as much as whatever education it represents. Fields with the most projected openings include computer engineering and public relations.

With small businesses reshaping the economy and large corporations ending hiring freezes, employers become confident they can safely expand. A recent recruiting survey forecasts a possible 3% hiring growth over last year, with opportunities for graduates across all degree levels. A good majority of these positions could be filled at the bachelor’s degree level alone. Employers also consider strong communications skills, leadership qualities and teamwork history too when deciding whom to hire.

There is a warning from a recruitment specialist though: “Don’t get too excited, because the recession is still with us, pay levels are stagnant or worse, lower”.

Wyoming is a state located in the Western United States. It has an area of 97,814 square miles (253,348 km2) and is ranked as the tenth-largest state. However it is the least populous with only an estimated population of 544,270 (2009 est.).* The capital, largest and most densely populated city is Cheyenne. Wyoming has been ranked as the seventh-safest place to live in the United States in 2009.**

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the gross state product of Wyoming was at $38 billion in 2008.*** Although historically important to the local economy, agriculture’s significance in recent years has diminished. The top five agricultural products are beef cattle and calves, hay, sugar beets, hogs and sheep and lambs. Additionally, milk, honey, wool, eggs, dry beans, barley, wheat, corn for grain, greenhouse and nursery products sunflowers and oats are produced in Wyoming. There is minimal manufacturing activity in Wyoming, and manufactured products consist of soda ash, petroleum refinement, metal products, and wood products. The mineral extraction industry is one of the largest driving forces behind Wyoming’s economy. The state is the leading coal-producing state and is also a leader in the production of petroleum and gas. Sodium carbonate-containing trona, bentonite, diamonds and uranium are also mined in Wyoming. The other major contributor to the economy is tourism, bringing in billions of dollars in revenue from millions of visitors each year. Wyoming is home to the famous Yellowstone National Park, Fossil Butte National Monument, museums, galleries, historic sites, and natural settings for whitewater and scenic river trips that attract tourists.

As of August 2010, the unemployment rate for Wyoming was reported to be at 6.8%.****

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Wyoming:*****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/56000.html
** http://os.cqpress.com/rankings/CrimeStateRankings_2009.pdf
*** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
**** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=62309dc293501a57135c
***** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=56&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

Wisconsin is a state located in the north-central United States and is also considered to be a part of the Midwest. It has promoted itself as “America’s Dairyland” in reference to the prominence of dairy farming and cheesemaking in its rural economy. The state’s capital is Madison and the largest city is Milwaukee. Wisconsin has an estimated population of 5,654,774 (2009 est.)* and in 2009 was ranked as the thirteenth-safest place to live in the United States.**

The gross state product for Wisconsin was reported to be at $246 billion in 2008.*** Its self-promotion as “America’s Dairyland” has led to the mistaken assumption that Wisconsin is an entirely rural state and relies largely on agriculture. Over half of the receipts from the agricultural sector come from dairy products. Other agricultural outputs include beef cattle and calves, poultry, eggs, honey, aquaculture, sheep and lambs, corn for grain, greenhouse and nursery products, potatoes, soybeans, cranberries, hay, sweet corn, tobacco, oats, strawberries, apples, cabbage, snap beans, carrots, and green peas. Manufacturing outputs are machinery, transportation equipment, paper products, health care devices, and food products. Beer is the most important processed beverage in Wisconsin.

Tourism is a significant contributor to the economy. Outdoor attractions that feature venues for ATV-riding, camping, hiking, hunting, biking, golf, water and winter sports plus amusement parks, museums, waterparks, zoos, fairs and festivals draw millions of visitors annually.

As of August 2010, the unemployment rate for Wisconsin was estimated to be at 7.9%.****

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Wisconsin:*****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/55000.html
** http://os.cqpress.com/rankings/CrimeStateRankings_2009.pdf
*** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
**** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=62307282e85c2746781d
***** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=55&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

West Virginia is a state located in the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. It is nicknamed “The Mountain State” due to the fact that it is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountain range and all areas within the state are mountainous. The state’s largest and capital city is Charleston. West Virginia is home to 1,819,777 (2009 est.)* and was considered to be the twelfth-safest place to live in the United States in 2009.**

The Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated the 2008 gross state product of West Virginia to be at $61 billion.*** The logging and coal mining industries are highly significant to West Virginia’s history. It is known to be one of the top coal-producers in the United States. Working conditions and safety issues arose leading to much labor strife in the area. Even to this day, environmental concerns are faced by the state whose coal maintains electrical generating plants in many other states. However, coal is not the only valuable mineral found in the state, as minimal oil and natural gas are also found there. Furthermore, West Virginia was the site of the discovery of the 34.48 carat Jones Diamond in 1928. Agricultural outputs of the state include poultry, beef cattle and calves, eggs, dairy products, sheep, hogs, lambs, honey, wool, farm-raised fish, hay, apples, peaches, corn for grain, wheat, soybeans and tobacco. Manufacturing activities include chemical products, primary metals and lumber products.

Information technology and the services industry are growing sectors in the economy. Tourism is also important, bringing in millions of dollars into the state. West Virginia is famous for its outdoor recreational opportunities such as whitewater rafting, skiing, hiking, fishing, mountain biking and hunting.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for West Virginia was at an estimated 8.8% in August 2010.****

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in West Virginia:*****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/54000.html
** http://os.cqpress.com/rankings/CrimeStateRankings_2009.pdf
*** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
**** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=62305d24b07c32393f44
***** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=54&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

Washington is a state located in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Its capital city is Olympia and the largest city is Seattle. Almost 60% of its population of 6,664,195 (2009 est.)* residents live in the Seattle metropolitan area. It is also home to Mt. Rainier which is considered to be the most dangerous volcano in the continental United States. The state is named after the first president of the U.S., George Washington and is commonly called Washington State to distinguish it from the nation’s capital, Washington D.C.

In 2008, the gross state product of Washington was reported to be at $336 billion.** Washington has a diverse income source ranging from agriculture, aquaculture, manufacturing, retail, telecom, mining, real estate, computer and software development and tourism.

Its agricultural outputs include dairy products, beef cattle, eggs, poultry, apples, wheat, potatoes, greenhouse and nursery products, hay, sweet corn, barley, corn for grain, hops, mint Kentucky bluegrass, onions, carrots, lentils, asparagus, dry peas, cherries, pears, grapes and raspberries. Aquaculture goods include chum, pink salmon, cod, flounder, herring, rockfish, tuna, sockeye and Chinook salmon, coho, clams, crabs, halibut, oysters, and shrimp. The leading manufacturing products to come out of Washington are transportation equipment which includes aircraft and space equipment and shipbuilding. Ranking second and third respectively are computer and electronic products and food processing. Coal, crushed stone, gold, clay, silver, cement, sand and gravel and gypsum are mined in Washington. The state is headquarters to Microsoft Corp., Starbucks, Nordstrom and Amazon.com.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported the unemployment rate for Washington to be at 9.0% as of August 2010.***

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Washington:****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/53000.html
** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
*** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=6230ea0fe6c11b674654
**** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=53&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

Virginia is a state located on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern region of the United States. It is nicknamed the “Mother of Presidents” for the eight U.S. presidents that were born there. The capital city is Richmond, while the largest and most densely populated is Virginia Beach. Virginia has a population of 7,882,590 (2009 est.).*

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has reported the gross state product of Virginia in 2008 to be at $400 billion.** Virginia has a highly diversified economic base, ranging from agriculture, government and military, manufacturing, high technology and commerce. Forbes Magazine has singled out Virginia as the best state in the nation for business for the fourth year in a row.*** Tobacco, once the state’s primary economic basis, has been replaced by livestock and livestock products as the most significant source of income in the agricultural sector. Livestock products include turkeys, horses, mules, eggs, hogs, sheep and lambs. Other agriculture products are greenhouse and nursery products, soybeans, tobacco, cotton, hay, wheat, barley, peanuts, tomatoes, corn for grain, snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, potatoes, grapes and apples. The aquaculture goods from Virginia consist of crabs, oysters, summer flounder, menhaden, spot, striped bass and Atlantic croaker. The state’s manufacturing products are computer and computer components, tobacco products, chemicals, transportation equipment, and shipbuilding. The services sector is also valuable to the economy, led by community, business and personal services, followed closely by government and finance. A vast amount of jobs filled up by Virginians are for federal agencies and government contractors. The Pentagon and CIA are both headquartered in Virginia.

As of August 2010, the unemployment rate for Virginia was reported to be at 6.9% by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.****

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Virginia:*****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51000.html
** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
*** http://www.forbes.com/2009/09/23/best-states-for-business-beltway-best-states.html
**** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=62301be5d64033774fd7
***** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=51&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

Vermont is located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is one of the least populated states, with only 621,760 residents (2009 est.).* The state capital is Montpelier and the largest is Burlington. It was admitted into statehood March 4, 1791. It was ranked as the second safest place to live in 2009.**

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis the gross state product for Vermont in 2008 was at $25 billion.*** The agricultural outputs include dairy products, beef cattle, eggs, turkeys, hogs, honey, poultry, fish, greenhouse and nursery products, maple products, sweet corn, hay, apples, oats, grain, and potatoes. The manufacturing industry’s outputs include electrical equipment and food products. Granite, limestone, marble, sand, gravel, slate and talc are all mined in Vermont.

Tourism is an important sector. Although Vermont is well-known for their ski resorts in winter, summer visitors also tour resort towns such as Manchester, Quechee, Woodstock, Stowe and Wilmington. Skiing, trout fishing, lake fishing and ice fishing, horse shows, museums, state parks, historic sites and golf courses attract millions of tourists each year.

The unemployment rate for Vermont was reported to be at 6% as of August 2010.****

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Vermont:*****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/50000.html
** http://os.cqpress.com/rankings/CrimeStateRankings_2009.pdf
*** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
**** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=6230789568a44f762cd2
***** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=50&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

Utah is a state located in the western region of the United States. The name is derived from the name of the Ute tribe which means “people of the mountain”. It has a population of 2,784,572 (2009 est.)* and a majority are concentrated on the Wasatch Front, particularly its capital and largest city, Salt Lake giving much of the state a highly rural character. Utah is one of the most consistent states in terms of religion, with more than half of its population members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or more commonly known as Mormon.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported the gross state product for Utah to be at $112 billion in 2008.** Utah’s agricultural outputs are beef cattle, milk, hogs, sheep, lamb, eggs, turkey, wool, honey, hay, greenhouse and nursery products, corn, wheat, barley, cherries, apples, peaches, apricots, pears, onions, potatoes, dry beans, safflower and mushrooms. Leading the manufacturing industry are computer and electronics products, followed by primary metals manufacturing and food processing. Mining is an important sector in the economy. The most valuable products mined in Utah are petroleum, copper and natural gas. Aside from these, uranium, gilsonite, magnesium, natural salts, molybdenum, potassium salts, sand, gravel, gemstones and clay are also mined in the state. Information technology and research, and government services are also significant to the economy in Utah. But one of the leading industries is tourism.

Utah is a major tourist destination for outdoor recreation. Most of the state parks are home to thrilling activities such as ATV-riding, horseback riding, ballooning, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, zip-lining and skydiving, golfing among many others. Utah boasts of Arches National Park, Zion National Park, Boondocks Fun Center and numerous festivals that draw visitors year-round.

The unemployment rate for Utah was estimated to be at 7.4% as of August 2010.***

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Utah:****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/49000.html
** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
*** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=6230c761494d57148293
**** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=49&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

Texas is a state located in the South Central United States. It has an area of 268,820 square miles (696,200 km2) and is the second-largest both by area and population, with an estimated 24,782,302 residents (2009 est.).* The capital city is Austin, while the largest city is Houston. It also happens to be the fourth-largest city in the United States. Other large cities in Texas are San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Greater Houston, El Paso and Austin.

Texas has a diversified economy. Cattle-ranching has thrived since after the Civil War and the image of the cowboy has long since been associated with Texans. The discovery of oil and its investment on higher education further widened its base. Aside from its status as the leading beef cattle producer, Texas is also an important producer of poultry, hogs, dairy products and eggs, sheep, and lamb. Other agricultural goods to come from Texas are cotton, greenhouse and nursery products, corn, wheat, hay, peanuts, rice, sorghum grain, cane for sugar, cantaloupe, grapefruit, watermelon, potato, cabbage, onion, pecan and mushroom. Texas also leads in other industries such as petrochemicals, energy, aerospace, high technology, biomedical sciences, computers and electronics and food processing. The state is also a leader in mining, producing large quantities of oil and natural gas, and in the production of cement, crushed stone, lime, salt, sand and gravel. Fishing is also a thriving industry bringing in the largest catch of shrimp in the country. Other aquaculture goods are black drum, red snapper, crabs, sea trout, oysters, red drum and farm-raised catfish. Texas has a strong commercial sector that includes retail, wholesale, construction, and banking and insurance. The gross state product for Texas was at $1.1 trillion in 2008.**

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for Texas as of August 2010 was at 8.3%.***

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Texas:****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/48000.html
** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
*** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=62301663bbaf31416349
**** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=48&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12

Tennessee is located in the Southeastern United States. The state was the last to join the Confederacy at the occurrence of the Civil War, and the first to be readmitted into the Union afterwards. Tennessee is central to the development of rock and roll and blues music. In the 1930s, the Grand Ole Opry was birthed in Nashville, making it the hub of the country music recording industry. Sun Records, where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis began their careers, was headquartered in Memphis, which is the largest city in Tennessee. The capital city is Nashville. The state is home to 6,296,254 (2009 est.).*

The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported the gross state product for Tennessee to be at $248 billion as of 2008.** The state’s economic base is made up of agriculture, manufacturing and tourism. Its agricultural outputs include cattle and calves, poultry, soybeans, greenhouse and nursery products, cotton, dairy products, hogs, eggs, sheep, lamb, wool, honey, corn, tobacco, wheat, hay, sorghum grain, tomatoes, snap beans, apples, peaches, and mushrooms. Processed foods are the leading manufactured goods in Tennessee, followed by transportation equipment, automobiles, boats, aircraft equipment, and chemicals.

Tennessee boasts of such attractions as the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Tennessee Aquarium and year-round fairs, festivals and events that draw in tourists and bringing in significant revenue for the state.

The unemployment rate for Tennessee was at 9.6% as of August 2010.***

Below is a list of the 50 largest employers in Tennessee:****

Sources:
* http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47000.html
** http://www.bea.gov/regional/gsp/action.cfm
*** http://data.bls.gov:8080/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=6230b6fa207e34117066
**** http://www.acinet.org/acinet/oview6.asp?soccode=&stfips=47&from=State&id=11&nodeid=12