If you're ever curious about the direction of the U.S. soda ash market, a good barometer could be the Chamber of Commerce (COC), in Green River, Wyo. With a population of a little more than 11,000, Green River is the second largest city in Sweetwater County, and the center of the universe when it comes to soda ash.

As one might suspect, the world's largest soda ash suppliers have plants in Sweetwater County. In fact, five of the county's top employers are soda ash suppliers. Almost 13% of the county's total population is involved directly in soda ash production and soda ash suppliers employ an estimated 40% of the county's workforce. A community with that much invested in soda ash would certainly feel the impact of changes in supply, demand and pricing.

Janet Hartford, director of the COC, said that indeed, she had recently seen upticks in local economic conditions. Can this have something to do with price increases announced by soda ash producers in July? Is the economy beginning a march toward recovery? Is it all just a big coincidence?

creilly@cahners.com