THE ECONOMY

Southland Economy Gaining Strength, Reports Say: Two separate new reports add to the view, becoming more prevalent, that Southern California’s economy is getting stronger. Salomon Bros. said that the state’s economic momentum is shifting to the region as the Bay Area’s high-tech boom fades, and that employment statewide would increase 2.5% in 1996. In its forecast, the Southern California Assn. of Governments predicted job growth of 2.1% in 1996 in six Southern California counties--Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura--with the greatest numbers in services and construction.