Indiana recession losing oomph

The recession is winding down in Indiana, but the state will lag a few months behind the nation when the economy starts to
pick up steam.

Thatâ??s how an Economy.com specialist who tracks Indiana sees it.

Sean Maher, who also focuses on the automotive industry, expects Indiana to gradually make a transition to growth in the first
quarter of next year, one to two quarters later than the national recovery.

â??Itâ??s still looking pretty bad, unfortunately,â?? Maher says. â??But there are some very significant parts that are beginning
to improve.â??

Hoosier jobs in leisure businesses, retailing and construction are coming back. Home-building permits are perking up in several
Indiana cities, largely because the state wasnâ??t clobbered as badly by the housing downturn as some areas of the country.

Countering the bright spots is manufacturing. Indianaâ??s close ties to Detroit automakers hammered the state, and will be the
main drag on a quicker recovery, Maher says. General Motors and Chrysler are emerging from their respective bankruptcies and
ultimately will prompt suppliers to gear up and bring back workers. But not before suppliers shrink some more.

The recovery will be slow through next year and start picking up momentum in 2011, Maher says.

So the end is in sight â?? if Maher is correct. Howâ??s that for good news? Do you agree with him?