This morning I’m looking at a new Census Bureau Web site that highlights state-level findings from the 2002 Economic Census. There is only one industry in which Arizona ranks No. 1 in terms of total revenue: Consumer lending. This is the industry that makes short-term loans for things like cars, boats and manufactured homes. It also includes payday loans and signature loans. It doesn’t include mortgage lending. The state’s 129 retail lenders saw a combined revenue of $4.7 billion, up almost 40 percent since the 1997 economic census. These lenders made 16 percent of the industry’s revenue nationwide. Here are the industries in which Arizona ranks No. 1 in terms of
sales or receipts per capita:
• Consumer lending
• Truck, utility trailer, and RV rental and leasing
• Truss manufacturing
• Concrete block and brick manufacturing
• Other transit and ground passenger transportation
• All other transit and ground passenger transportation If you’re wondering, 2002 is the most recent data available. The next economic census is happening now. More than 4 million businesses have received 2007 census questionnaires, which are due Feb. 12, according to a press release. Why is this data important? “The economic census is the most comprehensive measure of America’s economy,” said Tom Mesenbourg, the Census Bureau’s associate director for economic programs, in a press release. “Economic census data provide hard figures that businesses need to assess where they stand in the marketplace and where they have a competitive advantage.”