(Continued from page 16)

• RICHMOND (includes Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, District of Columbia and part of West Virginia):
• Economic growth improved modestly. Bank lending grew slowly. A gas turbine producer said Europe's financial crisis and the region's slowing economy had cut into exports. The company plans to cut 10 percent of its workers this summer. Several manufacturers said that lower government spending has caused recent order cancellations.
• ATLANTA (includes Georgia, Alabama, Florida and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee):

• Most businesses are optimistic, but uncertainties remain about the potential impact of Europe's economic slowdown. Auto sales remained strong. Florida benefited from visitors from South America and Canada. Cruise-line bookings declined slightly compared to the winter. Uncertainty about the economy's future limited hiring.
• CHICAGO (includes Iowa, Wisconsin,

(Continued on page 18)