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ginia):
• The economy improved at a moderate pace. Hiring picked up in manufacturing and home construction. New car sales so far this year are ahead of last year's. Mortgage refinancing has fallen as interest rates have increased.
• RICHMOND (includes Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, District of Columbia and part of West Virginia):
• Economic activity strengthened moderately, boosted by more consumer spending and factory orders. Temporary hiring picked up as many firms were reluctant to add permanent workers. A lumber company executive said this has been the company's best year since 2007, but added that it won't hire new full-time workers until next year.
• ATLANTA (includes Georgia, Alabama, Florida and parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee):
• The economy expanded at a modest pace as auto and home sales rose and hotels and restaurants reported strong demand. Ports in the district said there was significant growth in international trade compared with a year earlier, including exports of natural gas.
• CHICAGO (includes Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and parts of Illinois and Indiana):
• Business activity expanded at a moderate pace as consumer and business spending increased. Several retailers said health care reform would cause them to hire more part-time and temporary workers. Manufacturing output increased, propelled by the auto industry.
• ST. LOUIS (Includes Missouri, Arkansas and Kentucky, and parts of Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee and Mississippi):
• The economy grew at a moderate pace, driven by greater manufacturing output and home construction. Companies in the auto, auto parts, lumber, bakery, petroleum refining and gun manufacturing industries plan to hire new workers.
• MINNEAPOLIS (includes Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin and Michigan):
• Economic activity expanded moderately as housing construction grew at a robust pace. Consumer spending also picked up. Still, new boat registrations in Minnesota have fallen 17 percent so far this year compared to last year. And federal government employment in Minnesota in May was at its lowest level in more than 20 years.
• KANSAS CITY (includes Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and parts of Missouri and New Mexico):
• The district's economy grew modestly, with housing and agriculture driving the improvement. Consumer spending edged up. The wheat harvest was poor in some areas, while corn and soybean crops were in good condition.

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