Consumer confidence improves locally

Confidence among consumers in Middle Tennessee jumped higher in September, and the Murfreesboro college professor who tracks shoppers’ attitudes says residents are more optimistic about the future even though some economic statistics remain weak.
“It cannot get much worse, so it has to get better,” said Dr. Timothy Graeff, director of Middle Tennessee State University’s Office of Consumer Research.

MTSU’s consumer confidence index rose to a score of 142 in September, up from 113 in May and the highest marks since February 2008. The index, which tracks consumers’ attitudes, is based on a poll of 450 adults in Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties conducted on Monday and Wednesday evenings this week.

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