Recession

Family Dollar Profits Drop As Core Customer Struggles

By Tasnim Shamma • Jan 21, 2014
WFAE

Matthews-based discount chain Family Dollar started to report record profits about 5 years ago when the country was in a recession.

And now as the economy is recovering, the company seems to be having a bit of trouble holding on to customers it gained during the leaner times. 

But Family Dollar's recent decrease in profits is a little more complicated than that.

In a conference call this month, Family Dollar CEO Howard Levine told investors an economic recovery is underway:

87,000 North Carolinians To Be Cut Off From Unemployment Benefits

By Michael Tomsic • Dec 27, 2012

Tens of thousands of unemployed North Carolinians will run out of federal benefits at the end of this week.

On Saturday, the federal government will end its extension of unemployment benefits, which began during the recession in 2008. There are about 87,000 unemployed North Carolinians who are currently relying on federal benefits because they've already exceeded the maximum state benefits.

State Tax Revenues Increase In Good Sign For The Economy

By Ben Bradford • Dec 14, 2012

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.”

N.C. Proposal Slashes Unemployment Insurance, Raises Taxes

By Michael Tomsic • Dec 5, 2012
Bytemarks/Flickr

Republican state legislators unveiled a plan Wednesday to reduce unemployment benefits and raise taxes on some businesses. They say those are necessary steps to pay back the nearly $2.5 billion the state owes the federal government for help paying unemployment insurance.

Great Wolf Resort packs 'em in despite recession

By Julie Rose • Apr 13, 2009
Julie Rose / WFAE

Over the holiday weekend, rooms were sold out at a new indoor water park and hotel in Concord. Great Wolf Resorts has high hopes for its newest property, despite the recession.