I spent some time in the Pittsburgh, PA area this week.  It is really surprising to see how upbeat people are in that area.  Just a few years ago it was almost depressing to make calls in the area.  Nothing was going on, business was slow.  On this trip I had several distributos tell me they were very busy and mentioned that there was a tremedous amount of money being spent to update steel mills throughout the state.  A lot is being spent on plants that produce specialty metals including stainless.  There are cranes working in the area.  There is supposed to be a brand new steel plant being built in southern Ohio along the Ohio river by a Russian company.  I have heard that a new $3 billion steel facilty is being built in the Mobile, Alabama area.  In Cleveland, the area known as the "Flats" now has chain link fence around certain parts where renovation will be taking place.  They are strarting to clear land to build new offices and condos.  I must tell you, these areas have been some of the most downtrodden areas in the recent past.  I sure hope this is a sign of hope for the near future.  The Detroit area is still quite beaten down but it is still good to see some activity in these other areas.

I do not travel the entire country so it would be appreciated if anyone else reading this could post any information about other parts of the country (or the world).  The stock market is tanking, housing is in the dumps, the domestic auto industry is in sad shape, the truck market is not showing any great signs of life and they are planning to pour more steel in Pittsburgh.  Go figure.  I think agriculture is booming though I do not know that firsthand.  I hear there is not enough food, there is not enough biofuel and heaven forbid there not be enough grain for beer manufacturing somewhere down the road.  People will go without food but don't touch their beer.