Tulsa-area housing starts increase

Housing starts in the Tulsa area jumped 38 percent in October from the same time in 2008. The increase is the third in the past four months, according to the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa.

The market stabilization is a good economic predictor, said Jim Fram, senior vice president of economic development for the Tulsa Metro Chamber.

“When the housing market begins to pick up, new businesses open, tax revenue goes up and unemployment goes down,” Fram said. “The Tulsa regional economy has performed better than many communities around the country during the national recession, and now we are one of the first to see positive signs the pendulum is swinging the other way.”