Good news: Numbers show North Carolina to be in good shape economically

North Carolina residents got some good economic news last week.

Gov. Pat McCrory announced that the state's unemployment rate has improved and that the state is the only one of the top 10 states in population to see a significant increase in personal income in the latter part of the previous year. The N.C. Commerce Department reported that the personal income of the state's residents grew at one of the country's fastest rates during the third quarter of 2015.

To be sure, McCrory was crowing about the improvements because he is locked in a battle for re-election with state Attorney General Roy Cooper and needs all the ammunition he can get.

And not everyone is enjoying an economic upturn. There are still people who are unemployed or under-employed.

But you can't argue with numbers, and the numbers say North Carolina is in good shape financially. That is another reason to back the statewide bond issue that will be on the March 15 primary ballot. There is not a better time to borrow money for needed improvements than when times are good, and times are pretty good overall right now in the Tarheel state.

Published in Editorials on January 11, 2016 11:43 AM