Inland Manufacturing Stays Up

Manufacturing in the Inland Empire grew for the second consecutive month during September, according to data released Monday.

The region’s purchasing manager’s index was 56.2, down from the 60 recorded in August but still a strong rate of growth for Riverside and San Bernardino counties, Cal State San Bernardino reported in its month Report on Business.

The report, which is published by the school’s Institute of Applied Research and Policy Analysis, will have to score above 50 this month in order for Inland Empire manufacturing to be officially growing: 50 is the dividing line for whether manufacturing is expanding or contracting, but three consecutive months, in either direction, are needed to establish an official trend.

However, Inland Empire manufacturing has rebounded well from July, when the index was an abysmal 46.6.

“Although this is a decrease from last month’s 60.0. there is no cause for concern,” said Barbara Sirotnik, director of the institute and a co-author of the report, in a statement. “A figure above 50 indicates a growing manufacturing sector and overall economy, thus this month’s PMI reflects that the Inland Empire is still in growth mode – just at a slower pace than last month.”

Sirotnik, who could not be reached for comment, did predict one month ago that the September index would be below 60 but still well within growth mode.

Twenty one percent of the purchasing managers surveyed last month said they expect the local economy to get stronger during the next three months, while 61 percent said they expect it it to remain the same.

Only 18 percent said they expect it to get weaker, according to the report.