Charlotte’s Economy Continues to Grow in March 2015
Simply Hired Staff
The economy in Charlotte, North Carolina has been on the rise over the last few months. In February of 2015 the city saw a 4.87% increase in job openings, in December 2014, 4.78%. The growth trend continued this month, with job openings increasing close to 2%. Around the U.S. the cities with the largest gains in job postings during March 2015 were Phoenix, AZ (4.85%), Portland, OR (4.40%) and Orlando, FL (3.60%).
“The Simply Hired Employment Outlook indicates ongoing strength in the job market heading into the spring months,” said James Beriker, President and CEO of Simply Hired. “Nationwide job openings grew 1.38% in March 2015 with broad gains across occupations and industries ranging from non-profit and healthcare through technology and travel.”
The national growth numbers are similar to the growth found in Charlotte and the national press and economy watchers agree. Wells Fargo, the lender, based out of San Francisco, CA, reported, on March 30th, 2014, “North Carolina’s economy has shifted into high gear”. Wells Fargo spokesperson noted North Carolina’s unemployment rate ranks below the national average at 5.3%. The state is enjoying an increase in goods-producing jobs over the past 12 months. Construction jobs have also increased.
The National Association for Business Economics agrees with the positive assessment of Charlotte’s economic growth. Their March report forecasts a lower unemployment rate, lower inflation rate, more growth in consumer spending for Charlotte. Although not the sign of potential economic growth it once was, gas prices have also been on the decrease in the Charlotte area and North Carolina as a whole. Lower gas prices tend to lead to greater consumer spending.
Simply Hired data identifies technology, hospitality and construction as the top posting industries in the Charlotte metro region. The top posting companies in the area include Carolinas Healthcare Systems (#1), Harris Teeter (#2), Wells Fargo (#3), Lowe’s (#4) and Oracle (#5).
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Read the full Employment Outlook Report.
