The Houston economy went from boom to bust to recovery during the 1980s. Expectations of oil prices at $50 per barrel and higher in the late 70s and early 80s stimulated hundreds of oil-related projects in the area. An oil-price decline, however, led the Houston economy into a sharp recession...

El Paso's efforts to move beyond low-wage manufacturing and services jobs will get a boost from next year's opening of a new medical school. Along with other new and expanded health care facilities, the school could serve as a catalyst for bringing well-paying professional jobs to West Texas. ;...

The ongoing housing downturn has served as a significant headwind for the U.S. economy, subtracting nearly a percentage point from the country's gross domestic product growth in each of the past six quarters. However, this downturn has not been uniform across the country. Houston is an example...

Robert W. Gilmer uses a new analytical technique to explain why longtime rivals Dallas and Houston can coexist less than 250 miles apart. This new technique permits an unusually complete analysis of the role of services in the growth of cities. The analysis focuses on distinguishing services...

Looking forward, we find lower stimulus for Houston in the year ahead and higher risks, but the door remains open to another year of solid local expansion.