NC State Economist Mike Walden – “Regional Gains and Gaps”
Mary: This is Mary Walden with economist MW welcoming you to the economic perspective. Today’s program looks at regional gains and gaps. Mike, as we look at the economic change that has occurred in North Carolina since the recession ended, do we see any glaring differences?
Mike: Summary Answer
- Indeed we do
- Look at job growth since early 2010, when job market turned around
- Three regional categories in NC
- Top growth category: Triangle, Charlotte, Wilmington, Asheville
- Job growth 7% or above
- Tech, finance, tourism, second homes
- Mid growth: Triad, Greenville – job growth near 5%
- Slow growth: downeast – Fayetteville, Jacksonville, Rocky Mount, plus Hickory
- Military downsizing plus economic change
- I’m MW
Mary: And I’m Mary Walden for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
A native of the Texas Panhandle, Rhonda was born and raised on a cotton farm where she saw cotton farming evolve from ditch irrigation to center pivot irrigation and harvest trailers to modules. After graduating from Texas Tech University, she got her start in radio with KGNC News Talk 710 in Amarillo, Texas.
