Glasses 'half full' for 2012 economy

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Despite some economical progress, most people are ready to say good riddance to 2011.

An Associated Press poll found that seven out of every 10 people polled say 2011 was a forgettable year due to a variety of different reasons. However, 78 percent also say they have high hopes for what the New Year will bring.

As for new jobs, 226,000 of them were added in the state of Texas during the past 12 months while unemployment fell in the Austin area from 7.1 percent to 6.6 percent.

Ryan Genthe, the general manager at local pizza restaurant Coal Vines, said the indications he gets from customers suggest things are looking up.

“People are having fun,” said Genthe. “We had some Christmas parties that we didn’t see last year at other restaurants.”

The Texas Workforce Commission says it is impossible to predict what 2012 holds for the economy, but things are currently headed in a positive direction.