Ten Tuesday Afternoon Links

To contact us Click HERE
1. The "Van Indicator" Signals Economic Recovery  -  "How can we tell how small businesses are feeling? Find out how many vans they’re buying (90% of vans are purchased by businesses). Van sales were up 32% in July over last year, a greater increase than every other vehicle type except sports cars."

2.  Average sales at U.S. car dealerships are expected to rise to an all-time high of 805 vehicles this year, as the number of U.S. dealers remained flat the first half of 2012. The average sales are on pace to top the previous record set in 2005.
3. The number of U.S. craft breweries increased this year to the highest count in 125 years. It's the fastest growth rate since Prohibition ended, almost one new brewery every day.
4. Update on NYC's pizza wars in today's WSJ.  Cutthroat competition brings prices down to as low as 75 cents per slice.  Can't we get a similar pizza war in DC? 
5. The oil and gas boom brings scarcity of workers in small towns in Oklahoma, Texas, North Dakota as many businesses and government agencies now struggle to find enough workers. Reason? Most able-bodied people can double or triple their income in the oil patch.
6.  The Costco in Bellingham, Washington, has become exceedingly popular with Canadian shoppers to the dismay of locals who are claiming "gridlock" in the aisles. 
7.  419 Economists, including 5 Nobel laureates, Sign Statement in Support of Romney's Economic Plan to Create Jobs and Restore Economic Growth.   
8. Report: 46% Of U.S. Bank Account Holders Will Use Mobile Banking By 2017.
9. New York to London in an hour: Hypersonic WaveRider aircraft to be tested Tuesday.

10. Shale Gas to the Climate Rescue: Development of global shale gas could be the best way to achieve cuts in CO2 emissions.