The Hunter Valley Research Foundation has released its latest Upper Hunter Economic update.

At 3.7%, the unemployment rate is well below the national average.

It advises coal production continues to rise and has reached record levels.

It further says that the region will emerge from the construction phase of the mining boom with a larger productive base in the mining, trade and accommodation sectors, a more highly skilled workforce, and a larger employment and population base into the future.

Our economy is in good shape.