Western North Carolina Economic Index
Report for December 2009

Western North Carolina economic activity, as measured by the Western North Carolina Economic Index, increased 1.0 percent in December 2009—the third consecutive monthly gain. The index, which tracks the level of economic activity in 25 western North Carolina counties, increased at an annual rate of 6.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009. The national economy grew at a 5.7 percent rate during the same period.
Seasonally adjusted employment for WNC continued to fall in December, decreasing 0.37 percent. Statewide adjusted employment fell 0.7 percent in December. The region lost nearly 4,700 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2009.
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