Over the last couple months we have been hearing a lot of talk about the possibilities of a double-dip recession here in the US. A double-dip recession is characterized by 2 recessions which occur fairly close to one another. The debate is still ongoing on whether or not the country as a whole may face such an economic misfortune, with many economists feeling strongly on both sides, however, the double-dip recession is very much a real possibility for several US metro areas.

Moodys today released an economic report which identifies 22 major metro areas in the US which are at a great risk of slipping into yet another recession. They include, Missoula, MT, Salem OR, Idaho Falls, ID, Lake County, IL, Utica, NY, Lafayette, IN, Akron, OH, Lebanon, PA, Wichita, KS, Charleston, WV, Springfield, OH, Wilmington, NC, Macon, GA, Hot Springs, AR, Little Rock, AR, Gadsden, AL, Athens, GA, Wichita Falls, TX, Gulfport, MS, and Mobile, AL. In addition to these there are dozens of others which are also near the brink of another economic downturn. Economies which are based primarily on Industrial production are the greatest as risk.