Georgia Gaming Market Assessment - Pennsylvania Treasury

Impact of Recession: Regional vs. National Employment (000s)
National Pennsylvania
Pre-recession 137,951 6,108
Trough 129,588 5,781
% decline -6.06% -5.36%
Current 130,989 5,879
% decline over pre-recession -5.01% -3.75%
% growth since trough 1.12% 1.70%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, CES series, The Innovation Group
The following discussion breaks down Pennsylvania employment into 6 MSA’s (Metropolitan
Statistical Areas): Allentown-Bethlehem, Erie, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Wilkes
Barre-Scranton. These are the major population centers across Pennsylvania, which also host
gaming facilities already. The data is not seasonally adjusted and therefore is compared on a
year-over-year basis. Employment data was collected for each year from 2008 through 2010.
Overall, Pennsylvania has seen employment in 2010 decline 4.3% from its high levels in 2007.
The only market to decline less than the statewide rate was Pittsburgh, which only fell 3.3%.
Each of the other markets decreased more than the statewide rate with employment in Erie
decreasing the most at 6.1% since 2007. The largest year-over-year decline in each MSA
occurred from 2009 to 2010, echoing the effects of the financial crisis.
The Innovation Group Project #054-11 August 2011 Page 11