Eastern N.C.’s economy struggling
Tuesday, February 28th, 2006
By Chris Fitzsimon
Millions invested, but poverty lingers
Jonathan B. Cox, Staff Writer
Millions of dollars in public and private money have gone to Eastern North Carolina in recent years to resuscitate an ailing economy.
Entrepreneurs and developers have hatched ambitious plans to bring thousands of jobs. Last year, the state offered about $2.5 million in enticements to get companies to expand or relocate in the 41-county region.
But the efforts are having little effect. The region still has more poverty, more high school dropouts and fewer college graduates than the rest of North Carolina, according to a new report from the N.C. Center for Public Policy Research.
For every step forward, Eastern North Carolina has been set back by declines in agriculture and traditional industry, say the authors of the report, which revisits research done five years ago. "There’s still a lot of work to be done," Mike McLaughlin said. "The needs are broad."
The region is home to about 1.8 million people and includes a land mass three times larger than the state of New Jersey. Because of its size, advocates say the entire state has a vested stake in helping the area thrive.
"We all contribute to the state coffers," said H. Kel Landis III, co-chairman of the Foundation of Renewal for Eastern North Carolina and an adviser to Gov. Mike Easley on statewide business development. "Our whole state can’t rise if one region is in distress." (more…)
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