BIG US CITIES POST DOWNTURN

Fifty-six of the 75 largest cities in the United States posted economic declines in the second quarter, whereas 58 cities had seen some positive growth in the first quarter of the year. The findings, which measure economic activity based on real personal income and employment, come from Alphametrics Corporation, a consulting firm. Ohio cities held six of the top twelve growth rate positions, due primarily to a rebound in auto production.