NC Economic News and Opportunities

The awful economy worldwide and nationwide has done no big favors for the North Carolina tourism industry this year, but things aren’t as bad at mid-summer as they could have been. The swine flu has delivered a bit of a blow to some of the western mountain region’s summer camps, but those camps that have not been hit by sick campers are doing fine. Visitors on the Blue Ridge Parkway look to be as numerous as in most other years, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is hosting its fill of hikers and campers as well.

Tourism in North Carolina accounts for over 190,000 jobs across the state, from the Outer Banks through the midlands and into the mountains, making it one of the most vital industries year after year in the state. Visitors spend more than $18 billion (yes, that’s a “b” on that number) in the state, contributing greatly to our tax revenues, to the tune of over a billion dollars a year.

So… tourism is still doing okay, but how’s the general NC economy doing? This question is significant for those from out of state who may be contemplating purchase of vacation property or would dearly love to relocate here – many from states with economies worse off than ours, who would like to get jobs or start new businesses. Columnist Michael L. Walden of the Raleigh area News and Observer wrote about the state of the state’s economy on the 9th of July.

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Filed under Development, Furniture Making, NC Land, NC Living, North Carolina, Tourism, Vacation Homes | Comment (1)