After a sluggish start to the year, new economic numbers find experts predicting stronger financial growth over the next few months and continued growth going into next year.

That despite the fact that one key economic indicator, building permits for single family homes, was flat in April.

Here’s some of the other significant numbers.

At Omaha’s Eppley Airfield passenger numbers barely moved after a 6 percent (6.2%) jump in March, but the experts tell us overall, that means people are confident in their jobs and more likely to vacation.

As we reported earlier, a recent survey of 100 Nebraska businesses, finds 42 percent expecting sales to increase, and 20 percent expecting to hire more workers over the next six months.

NU economist Eric Thompson tells us one other key indicator, manufacturing hours worked, “Grew again in April, as the state and national manufacturing industry continued to strengthen.”

We’re told that another good sign is that initial claims for unemployment insurance also fell.