The Daily Tar Heel, the student newspaper of the University of North Carolina, used the recent Better South 2013 Briefing Book on the South as the foundation for an Oct. 16 story that looked at how the state could have high unemployment and poverty rates and more economic growth than many states.
“According to the think tank’s report, North Carolina is ranked sixth in unemployment and 17th in highest state tax burden. The report also listed North Carolina as 11th for economic growth and the fourth for the best state for business.
“Ferrel Guillory, UNC journalism professor and an expert in Southern politics, attributes the gap between the state’s roaring economy and unemployment increase to the change in the industries that drive the economy.
The story went on to quote Andy Brack, the Center’s president:
“Despite North Carolina’s high unemployment and a high state tax burden, Andy Brack, president of the Center for a Better South, said North Carolina still ranks better than other southern states including Alabama, South Carolina and Arkansas.
“’North Carolina has a lot of work to do to reduce unemployment,’ he said. ‘It’s doing pretty well in providing a good business climate.’”