Positive Charlotte Indicators
Ø Population continues to grow. Charlotte continues to lead the nation with in-migration of young, educated workers.
Ø The number of employed workers in Mecklenburg has grown to 428,429, an increase of 1,243 since January 2008.
Ø 2008 will see more than 10,000 new residential units added.
Ø Nonresidential construction is running 30 percent above 2007, which is on target to surpass $2.8 billion as an all time record.
Ø More construction cranes are in Charlotte’s skyline than ever before.
Ø Cost of living in Charlotte continues to be nearly 7 percent below the national average. Construction cost is 20 percent below the nation’s.
Ø Charlotte continues to have the second strongest housing market in the nation.
Ø Air passenger enplanements at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are 5% above 2007’s record year, which is on target to surpass 17 million passengers. International passengers are up nearly 11 percent.
Ø Charlotte continues to be the nation’s second largest banking center with $3.3 trillion in headquartered assets.
Ø Charlotte continues to add jobs and business investments. It is projected 1,100 businesses will add 12,000 new jobs and invest over $2 billion in a record 25 million square feet of new facilities.
.
Ø New business prospects continue to consider Charlotte for new facilities. Each week on average ten new companies seek information from our staff and four visit the city for a closer look.
With this many positives about Charlotte, the future is very bright for all of us. Hopefully, we can work through the country's finacial issues and come out stronger on the other end.