NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Two years and counting, the
Cape Fear Region continues to tout a poor performance when it comes to job
growth.
The Wilmington Metropolitan Service Area (MSA) has not
reached the national monthly average for job growth since September 2010,
according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As of September 2012, it was one of 29 other MSA across the
country to have such low numbers. More than half of those areas have since
broken the trend, but Wilmington remains below average.
The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce tracks these stats to
compare with other MSAs around the country, according to Executive Director Connie
Majure-Rhett. She said the September report grabbed her attention and now she's
monitoring it every month.
"Sadly, we found out we're not doing so well," she said.
The BLS compares employment numbers of one month to the same
month the previous year. For example, Wilmington jobs jumped from 134,800 in
2011 to 135,500 in 2012. The half a percent increase falls short of the 1.4%
national average.
Majure-Rhett said it's difficult to point out any one cause
for the results, but she does not see enough emerging business to pick up the
slack.
"As we've lost jobs, we're not gaining jobs either," said
Majure-Rhett. "That's our focus now. We need to make sure our community is
business-friendly and we're doing the things to attract every possible job we
can."
Woody White, Chairman of New Hanover County Board of
Commissioners, said Tuesday that local leaders are aware of the need for jobs.
He would not elaborate, but White mentioned a cooperative effort with
Wilmington City Council to form a unified approach to attracting businesses to
the area.
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