News

Dec 16, 2010

New state economic indicator

N.C. State University extension economist Mike Walden recently unveiled a new measure of the state economy meant to tell us where the state economy will be heading in the near future. In today's "Economic Perspective," he details this new leading indicator. 

Dec 15, 2010

ESP recognizes Cooperative Extension employees

N.C. Cooperative Extension employees were recognized during the annual meeting of Epsilon Sigma Phi’s Xi Chapter held in December. ESP is a professional development society for Cooperative Extension employees. 

Dec 15, 2010

Baked-in results

Many people watch the stock and other investment markets for clues to what might happen to the economy. "Baked-in results" is a term increasingly heard. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden explains how investments can be "baked-in." 

Dec 14, 2010

Sherman releases vermiculture book

Rhonda Sherman, solid waste Cooperative Extension specialist in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department, is co-editor of the first scientific book on vermicomposting. Vermiculture Technology: Earthworms, Organic Wastes, and Environmental Management was released this week by CRC Press. 

Dec 13, 2010

Team Broccoli: Project seeks East Coast broccoli industry

A North Carolina State University horticulturist is a member of a team of agricultural scientists that has embarked on what may be a decade-long effort to grow a $100 million broccoli industry on the East Coast. 

Dec 13, 2010

Money creation

There has been a lot of talk recently about money, and specifically the money the Federal Reserve is planning to create to stimulate the economy. How is this done? Does the Federal Reserve really have the power to flip a switch and generate money? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Dec 10, 2010

YOU DECIDE: Do we still have airplane mechanics?

Many people feel good-paying skilled jobs are falling by the wayside as a result of the impact of increased world trade. Mike Walden says the reality is more complicated. 

Dec 10, 2010

Sticky wages

Changes to workers' salaries, or wages, are important. Workers count on increases in their pay over time to make progress in their standard of living. Of course, those same workers don’t look forward to a possible decrease in pay during recessions. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains just how frequently workers' wages and salaries move up or down. 

Dec 9, 2010

Infrastructure needs

There is talk of another government stimulus package, which would focus on areas like road, bridges, reservoirs and water treatment plants. These types of projects are generally lumped together and called infrastructure. But didn’t the first stimulus plan address these items? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Dec 8, 2010

Good job gains

A recent national job report was upbeat: Over 150,000 jobs were added, with all of them being privately created positions. N.C. Cooperative Extension economist Mike Walden describes which job sectors were especially hot.