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It's official....Missouri is in a recessionary period.

This is Chris DuPree for Missouri Capital Caucus.

Joe Driskill, Director of Missouri's Department of Economic Development, made it official; Missouri is in a recession.

With somber current economic conditions come serious decisions to make here in the capitol about Missouri's economic future.

Current coditions include unemployment figures of 25-thousand manufacturing jobs lost in the state this past year.

Driskill and his staff are tracking the storm before the calm to examine the impact of the recession and are looking forward to Missouri reaching another expansion period in the summer.

For now, spending more in this sluggish economy is a recommendation Driskill offers to Missouri residents.

Department of revenue director Carol Fischer says the impact of brisk holiday spending in what is called a "make-or-break" holiday shopping season is still undetermined.

Unemployment numbers also increased, with the greatest changes coming in and around the St. Louis area, which consistently accounts for a large portion of the state's economy.

One thousand airline and travel related job layoffs in 2001 along with more than 50-thousand non-farm payroll job the past ten months contribute to those increasing numbers.

And currently, according to Driskill, Missouri's economic vitality is suffering.