But this time round, more of the spending is being done by private companies, with an eye to consumer demand, rather than by states.

ECONOMIST: Gulf economies

Meanwhile, consumer demand, increasingly for laptops rather than desktops, is strong.

FORBES: The Second Coming

And on Thursday, the Labor Department reported that third-quarter productivity of U.S. businesses increased 3.1 percent, reversing two straight quarterly declines and prompting some economists to say that companies may be trying to get higher production out of their current workforce rather than add staff given the uncertain outlook for consumer and business demand.

FORBES: Yep, hiring remains chilly in October