North Carolina News 
There are currently 21 blog entries related to this category.
Expert prediction on North Carolina employment for 2011
Friday, December 31st, 2010 at 6:12pm. 356 Views, 0 Comments.
N.C. Could Add 50,000 job In 2011
By: Ellen Reinhardt & David Horn
RALEIGH - One expert on North Carolina's economy expects the jobless rate in the state to drop by about a percentage point by the end of 2011. North Carolina State University economist Mike Walden said lending to small businesses is increasing, and that will allow those businesses to expand and hire more people.
"I'm looking statewide for about 50 thousand jobs to be added to the employment rolls, which in the context of 4 million jobs in the state, it's rather small but at least it is a step in the right direction," said Walden.
A decline in the unemployment rate by one percentage point means the rate would still be near 9 percent. Walden believes it…
How will strong Christmas tree season affect North Carolina tree farmers
Friday, December 31st, 2010 at 5:22pm. 344 Views, 0 Comments.
Here is an interesting article from the WSJ on this year's Christmas tree sales. It relates to two former posts, Christmas Trees and the North Carolina economy & Christmas Trees and the North Carolina economy - Update from Asheville.
From the WSJ....."Precise numbers won't be available until late winter, when the National
Christmas Tree Association completes its annual survey. But after two
flat seasons, tree-farm associations in the biggest-producing states say
members are estimating an industry-wide sales jump in the mid- to high
single digits over a year ago, with some growers reporting larger gains.
"At times during the season, we had growers reporting increases of 20%
to 40%," said Brian Ostlund, executive director of the…
North Carolina nations big loser in lesiure jobs
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010 at 4:44pm. 405 Views, 0 Comments.
Though we saw a strong vacation season in the Outer Banks, according to this article by the Triangle Business Journal North Carolina lost the most leisure jobs in the country through November.
Bonner Bridge replacement to move forward
Friday, December 24th, 2010 at 5:19pm. 321 Views, 0 Comments.
Here is an excellent article from the News & Observer on the replacement of Hatteras Island's Bonner Bridge. The bridge finally won approval from the federal government. Now North Carolina state officials can move forward with a planned replacement.
Bonner Bridge is a go
By: Rob Christensen
A decades long effort to replace the deteriorating Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, connecting Hatteras Island to the mainland, has won approval from the U. S. Department of Interior.
The approval announced Monday was a key victory for Outer Banks residents who had been lobbying since the 1970s for replacement of the Bonner Bridge, which they said was a disaster waiting to happen. But it was a disappointment to environmentalists who saw a new bridge as…
According to census North Carolina growing fast
Friday, December 24th, 2010 at 4:24pm. 297 Views, 0 Comments.
Here is an excellent video on the census information and its affect on North Carolina. Though the population in North Carolina is growing, it was not enough for the state to gain an extra delegate to Congress.
It is definitely good news for those moving into North Carolina, be a part of a growing state.
HTC to open office in Durham
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 at 4:32pm. 272 Views, 0 Comments.
According to an article in the The Herald Sun, smartphone maker HTC is going to open an office in Durham. HTC will look to add 45 jobs in the first quarter of 2011. HTC's new office will be a research and development facility. Here is an interesting quote on why the chose the Durham area,
"Durham is a perfect place to open our new R&D office because we are able to tap into this deep pool of technical talent that complements HTC's leading-edge R&D efforts going on around the world," Ron Louks, chief strategy officer for HTC.For more information on HTC's move to North Carolina read, Smart-phone maker HTC to open here.
North Carolina posts largest November job loss in country
Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at 4:50pm. 282 Views, 0 Comments.
November was definitely a rough month to be looking for a job in North Carolina. According to an article in the Winston-Salem Journal - N.C.'s jobless rate up in November, "North Carolina hit a pothole on the road to economic recovery during November. An overall loss of 12,500 jobs — the largest in the country — led to the first monthly increase in the state jobless rate since February, the N.C. Employment Security Commission reported Friday."
Jobless numbers are down from October's 9.6% but are up when compared to November 2009. It will definitely be something to watch as the new year unfolds. Read the complete, November 2010 North Carolina Unemployment Report.
BAE Systems looks to add 176 jobs in Charlotte
Thursday, December 16th, 2010 at 4:59pm. 256 Views, 0 Comments.
BAE Systems Expanding Work Force by 176 Jobs in Charlotte, North Carolina
BAE Systems is investing $3 million and
creating 176 jobs in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. The company is
planning a service center for internal human resources and finances.
“The consolidation of all of our company-wide processes and services for
human resources and finance into one shared services center is
essential to improving performance, reducing costs, and improving
competitiveness,” said Linda Hudson, president and CEO of BAE Systems.
Hudson said BAE chose Charlotte for its skilled talent, easy access,
suitable facilities, and an affordable lifestyle.
Read the entire article
North Carolina sales tax revenue fastest growing in nation for 3rd quarter
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010 at 12:28pm. 194 Views, 0 Comments.
Looks like consumer confidence within North Carolina is definitely improving. According to research by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government, sales tax revenues grew throughout the country but posted there largest gain in North Carolina.
Here is an interesting summary of the report by the Triangle Business Journal.
Report: N.C.'s revenue from sales tax grew fastest in nation in 3Q
A report from The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government leaves little doubt that North Carolinians are spending at a much faster clip than last year on goods and services. According to this report, the state's sales tax receipts grew by some 27 percent during the third quarter and when compared to the same quarter last year. The report…
Christmas Trees and the North Carolina economy - Update from Asheville
Sunday, November 28th, 2010 at 11:33am. 262 Views, 0 Comments.
According to this interesting article by the Citizen-Times, Asheville area christmas tree farms are facing reduced profits this year due to increased costs and a downsizing of tree sizes by consumers.
Asheville area Christmas tree growers not so merry this year
SANDY MUSH — Now that the Black Friday shopping frenzy is over, it's time to get down to the important stuff: finding that perfect Christmas tree.
The Meisner family weaved in and out of the rows of Fraser fir trees Saturday afternoon at Sandy Hollar Tree Farm, carefully inspecting each one. It was easy to tell who was more excited about the adventure: The Fairview couple, Steve and Jenny, had their 2-year-old daughter, Sayla, beat by miles.
“I'm kind of a Grinch, but we popped the…