Idaho's minorities flex purchasing power in 2011
BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Officials say Hispanics continue to boost their buying power in Idaho, while other minorities are also flexing their purchasing strength.
The Idaho Department of Labor says Hispanic purchasing power increased 11.2 percent last year to account for nearly $3.2 billion of the state's total spending. Meanwhile, the buying power of non-Hispanics increased six percent in 2011, to $46.1 billion.
The agency says only in ten other states did Hispanics make bigger gains than in Idaho, where they're the largest minority. That's according to a report from the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia.
Other minorities -- including Idaho's black, Asian, American Indian and native Alaskan populations -- also spent more on things like food, clothing, housing and vacations. Their buying power increased more than seven percent.
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