Tagged: Economy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”