By now you've read the national employment news--263K jobs were added last month while unemployment dropped to 3.6%. Here in the Palmetto State, 12,900 jobs were filled but the unemployment rate held steady at 3.2%. Among four of the major metros, unemployment actually increased, with Charleston's rising from 2.8% in February to 2.9% in March, Greenville rising from 2.9% to 3%, Columbia 3% to 3.1%, and Spartanburg 2.9% to 3%. Be that as it may, those are still great numbers.

And things look even better on the manufacturing front--the vehicle that has driven much of the Palmetto State's recent prosperity. In Charleston manufacturing grew by 2.6%, February 2018 to February 2019; in Greenville it was 1.4%; Columbia 3.7%; and Spartanburg, 5.1%

Statewide home sale prices are also up year to year, March '18-'19, rising from $196.8K to $207K. In Charleston, prices went from $255K to $270K; Greenville, $203K to $209; and Columbia, $167K to $172K. Spartanburg, however, saw a dip with the home sales price falling from $170K to $160K.

Building permits were down in Greenville and Columbia, up in Charleston, and flat in Spartanburg.