Economy

Charlotte Region/China Connection

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Last month, mayors from North Carolina and Alabama cities and towns visited China to learn about ways that their municipalities can do business with China. Mayor Jill Swain of Huntersville came home with new knowledge and optimism about a future tie with China and our region. Now officials from China are visiting the Charlotte region to learn more about opportunities here. But this isn't just an isolated potential relationship. Business with China is on the rise in North Carolina and throughout the South. We'll talk with Chinese and Charlotte area officials about why the south and our region are attractive to Chinese business people and what kinds of ties may be formed in the future, when Charlotte Talks.

N.C., S.C. Unemployment Drops To Lowest Rate In Years

Michael Tomsic — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:58:05 +0000

North Carolina's unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in four years, and South Carolina's unemployment rate has declined to the lowest point in five years. That's according to figures released Friday for the month of April.

Small Town Economic Development

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

As Charlotte grows, so too do surrounding towns and cities. Small farming communities or sleepy textile mill towns have transformed into independent, vibrant towns with their own identities - how did they get there? Many people work in Charlotte but live all over the metro area. What makes those towns and cities home? How do they maintain their own identities and preserve their histories without being absorbed as another outlying suburb of Charlotte? We'll look at the unique challenges towns face, their relationship with the city of Charlotte and the state and find out how they distinguish themselves. How do small towns like Belmont, Matthews and Huntersville creatively stimulate economic growth? We'll find out from the people responsible for their growth and success in a wide-ranging conversation about smart growth, development, town identity and more, when Charlotte Talks.

Economic Forecast With John Connaughton

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

UNC Charlotte professor John Connaughton says that the North Carolina economy will grow modestly in 2013 after losing some traction in 2012. In his quarterly forecast for the state, Connaughton outlines how growth in the first half of the year will be slow as a result of several factors. Things like continued uncertainty in Europe, tax increases and spending cuts, and rising gasoline prices will affect how quickly our state’s economy gets off the ground. But North Carolina will prosper. He also says that although we avoided going over the fiscal cliff, we did not dodge tax increases or spending cuts. Economics can be a tricky thing to grasp, but Connaughton will help us understand it all, when Charlotte Talks.

Charlotte And Global Competitiveness

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Decision makers around our region want Charlotte to be a leader in global commerce, and many have reason to be encouraged at the progress we've made toward that goal. Trade routes around the world are evolving, including here in our city, in the form of a major intermodal facility at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. We'll talk about the changes Charlotte could benefit from in a world-wide shift in international trade and how the city's leaders are preparing it, all in advance of a summit at Central Piedmont Community College on the topic, when Charlotte Talks.

The Coming Prosperity: Entrepreneurs And The Global Economy

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

In all the gloom and doom that surround talk of our global economy these days, our guest today, economist Philip Auerswald, sees a ray of hope. That hope lies in developing societies and in entrepreneurship, and possible pathways to what he calls "The Coming Prosperity." We'll talk with Mr. Auerswald about his book by that very name and about his optimistic look at the future of the global economy.

State Unemployment Report Shows Modest Improvement

Ben Bradford — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:47:35 +0000

North Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped to a seasonally-adjusted 9.1 percent in November, according to the latest data today from the state’s Commerce Department. That’s still more than a point above the national rate of 7.7 percent, but it’s still more “ho ho ho” than “bah humbug.”

While it decreased by 0.2 percent, North Carolina’s unemployment is still the fifth highest in the nation. But, there’s some trends that have Clemson University economist Bruce Yandle feeling the holiday spirit.

State Tax Revenues Increase In Good Sign For The Economy

Ben Bradford — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 22:21:58 +0000

The General Fund is the state’s piggy bank, where revenue goes in and payments come out. Today, the State Controller’s office released a report showing that, since June, the fund earned almost $300 million more than the same time last year. That’s an increase of over four percent. Amber Young at the controller’s office says it’s for the best possible reason-- people are earning more.

“It’s just things are doing better—individual income went up five percent,” Young said. “We’re seeing more people working again. Corporate went up about that amount.”

North Carolina Economic Forecast

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

John Connaughton, Director of the Babson Capital Economic Forecast, has joined us every business quarter this year to forecast the months ahead and to look back at the year so far. This quarter we'll look back over the whole year as well as taking a peek into economic health for North Carolina in 2013. We'll also look at how the fiscal cliff issue may affect North Carolina directly and whether Dr. Connaughton thinks a second recession is looming or whether we are on the road to recovery. Our economic year in review and a prediction of things to come, when Charlotte Talks.

Helping The Unemployed Learn On The Job

Person: Tasnim Shamma — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 21:25:05 +0000

Sheila Hemphill is a grant specialist with Charlotte Works. She interacts with a lot of job seekers – including many who have been unemployed for a very long time.