1. The Region C Economy Region C Workforce Development Board
Isothermal Planning and Development Commission

2. The State of the Economy

3. Unemployment Rates Through the Business Cycles

4. Unemployment Rate is Nearing Pre-Recession Levels

5. Jobs

6. Jobs in Region C are Still Way Down

7. Greater Importance of Manufacturing in Region C
Employment in Top 5 industries relative to total employment, 2015

8. Fall and Rise of Manufacturing Jobs Since Bottoming-Out in 2010, Regional Mfg Jobs have Made a Recent Resurgence

9. Lower Diversity of Industries % of Total Employment Outside the Top 5 Industries
Includes 9 of the top 10 highest-paying industries in Region C

10. People

11. Employed Residents

12. So Why’s the Unemployment Rate Down?

13. Fewer People Participating in the Labor Force

14. Some Don’t Want a Job

15. More Retirees, Fewer Working Age People 2007-2016
Prime Working Age
25-54
Retirement Age
65+
Region C may be poised to experience population growth, but that growth may come in the wrong age group. The counties in Region C are experiencing a decline in the working age population (25-65 years) but a growth in the 65+ crowd from 2010 to This could create labor market tightness and difficulty in hiring for local employers.
*According to ACS 5 Year Estimate
Source: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates

16. More Choosing School over Work
More Choosing School over Work? Educational Attainment & Graduation Rates on the Rise in Region C
4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate
Residents with Post-Secondary Education
Some College or Above
2010
2014

17. More Working Outside the Region

18. Elsewhere in Region C
Most County Workers are Employed Outside the Region for private sector primary jobs 2014

19. Resident Workers Employed in Region C Has Declined for private sector, primary jobs

20. Commuting for Better Jobs? Average Wages Are Higher Outside the Region
Under $34,000
$34,000-$36,999
$43,000-$49,999
$37,000-$42,999
$50,000 or More

21. Cleveland County

22. Stronger Ties to Charlotte Area Labor Market Where Cleveland Workers are Employed

23. Strengths Weakness Transportation & Warehousing
37% increase in employment
Strong concentration of Manufacturing employment (19%)
Highest average wage in Region C
Weakness
Slowest population growth in the Region

24. McDowell County

25. Stronger Ties to Asheville & Hickory Labor Markets Where McDowell Workers are Employed

26. Strength Threat Manufacturing
39% of all employment
3rd Largest Concentration of Employment in NC
Strongest employment growth in the Region since 2010
Threat
47% of total county wages
Lowest % with Bachelor’s Degree in the Region (14%)

27. Polk County

28. Stronger Ties to Asheville & Hickory Labor Markets Where McDowell Workers are Employed

29. Strengths Weakness High concentration in Healthcare Employment (29%)
Lowest unemployment rate in Region C
Strongest population growth in Region C
Attraction of Retirees
Weakness
Decline in working age pop (Highest median age in NC)
Lowest average wage in Region (7th lowest in NC)

30. Rutherford County

31. Split Between Labor Markets but Moving Toward Charlotte Where Rutherford Workers are Employed

32. Strengths Weakness Concentration in Manufacturing employment (15%)
Highest unemployment rate in Region C
Project population decline

33. Areas for Future Focus Super Regionalism Worker Training
Work with Neighboring Regions for Jobs & Employees
Worker Training
To Keep up with Changing Manufacturing Needs
To Succeed an Aging Workforce
To Promote Education & Put It to Use
To Help Diversify Industries
Areas for Future Focus

34. Thank You www.regioncwdb.org Region C Workforce Development Board
Isothermal Planning and Development Commission