Jacobs, Lawrence2018-03-282018-03-282004-02-01https://hdl.handle.net/11299/195053Recent reports indicate that the national economy is rebounding, with robust growth in gross domestic product (GDP) and productivity and an energized stock market. GDP grew at 8.2% for the third quarter of 2003 and 4% in the fourth quarter. Even as the country’s economy has shown significant improvements overall, the five states in the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South and North Dakota) face significant and, in certain respects, unique challenges on several fronts, including job creation and the lack of fiscal stimulus from defense spending. Significant budget constraints have prevented state and local governments from offering much help. These economic and fiscal challenges in the Upper Midwest have contributed to widening economic discrepancies between rural and urban areas.enrecessionjoblesseconomyReport