Nevada’s downturn

Nevada’s gross domestic product fell by 6.4 percent in 2009, according to a U.S. Commerce Department report. This was the worst performance by any state. By comparison, the nation’s GDP dropped by 2.1 percent.

The decline in construction in Nevada alone “subtracted more than one percentage point from growth” in the state, according to the report. “In addition to the decline in construction, declines in accommodation and food services, and real estate, rental, and leasing, caused Nevada to have the largest downturn in 2009.”

Nearest to Nevada were Michigan (-5.2) and New York (-4.3). Among the intermountain states, Arizona (-3.9) came closest to Nevada’s poor record. Utah and Colorado fell by less than a percentage point. Wyoming actually grew by 5.4 percent. Montana was a wash.

The report can be read at www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/gsp_newsrelease.htm.