The agricultural economy in North Carolina and throughout the nation improved slightly in 1992; Moore offers a forecast for agricultural performance in 1993.
A survey of city and town officials suggests that economic conditions in Tar Heel cities and towns have either stayed the same or improved in the last year. Most officials feel that property tax rates will not be raised for the coming year.
North Carolina is transforming the way in which it was once perceived. This change in image is drastically altering the state's economic base, bringing in new industries while phasing out the traditional industries.
Three leading executives discuss the key factors they see affecting business in the year ahead and what business trends they believe will shape North Carolina's economy.
Strong private sector job creation in the second quarter of the fiscal year (Oct.-Dec.) has state withholdings and sales tax revenues running ahead of projections, perhaps providing legislators with as much as a $240 million surplus this spring.
At the century's end, North Carolina's strong economy is fueled by such accomplishments as the Research Triangle Park, low unemployment, a strong banking system, business recruitment, and heavy foreign investment, including Japan's two billion dollars.
The state's 100 counties are divided into seven economic regions for the purpose of promoting each region to attract prospective employers. Regional financing comes from local and state governments and businesses.
While agricultural and manufacturing jobs have declined over the last twenty years, such other job sectors as government, retail, and service have grown, enabling the state to post a $650 million trade surplus
Using figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Employment Security Commission, and the N.C. Department of Revenue, Greenville economist Dr. James Kleckley, has projected growth rates for the state's 100 counties up to the year 2000.
The William C. Friday Fellowship for Human Relations is a two-year program designed to give emerging leaders an understanding of economic and social issues facing the state.
The state's seven regional partnerships are profiled in terms of population, per capita income, employment by industry, employment, and retail sales for the years 1985, 1995, and 2005.
The state's one hundred counties are profiled in terms of population, civilian labor force, building permits, per capita income, and population using food stamps.
Some of the state's industries, including furniture, textiles, and tobacco, have declined in recent years, but newer industries, including biotechnology, telecommunications, and auto-parts manufacturing, are rising stars in the state's economy.