Author: Dee Shore

Feb 10, 2011

Small business outlook

A strong argument can be made that our economy is really run by small businesses. Often the economic conditions for large and small businesses differ. So what are small businesses saying about the economy? Are they more or less optimistic? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 9, 2011

Moving back with parents

With the condition of today’s economy, are more young adults living with their parents? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden discusses the trends over time. 

Feb 9, 2011

Corn

Corn has emerged in recent years as one of North Carolina’s more important crops. Twenty years ago, North Carolina grew around half a million acres of corn each year; today… 

Feb 9, 2011

North Carolina's AgAdvantage

Together, agricultural research and extension programs spark economic activity and create jobs, making North Carolina agriculture and the state’s rural communities more prosperous. 

Feb 8, 2011

Containing health care costs

The two big federally supported health care programs Medicare and Medicaid are growing at fast rates. Any plan to reduce the relative size of the national debt will have to address these programs. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden talks about some new ideas that have been offered. 

Feb 7, 2011

Rising gas prices

Just as we are beginning to get some good news about the economy and jobs, up rises the ugly head of higher gas prices. Why are gas prices going up? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden says it's because demand is greater. 

Feb 4, 2011

The velocity of money

What does it mean when economists talk about the velocity of money? Are they talking about something like the speed of money? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Feb 3, 2011

Does North Carolina follow Hauser's Law?

Host Mary Walden tells N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, "I know North Carolina often implements new laws at the beginning of the year, but I don’t remember any recent one being called Hauser’s law. I have a sneaky suspicion the law you are talking about isn’t the legal kind. Am I right?" 

Feb 3, 2011

Rockingham County small farm innovators team with N.C. State for results

When Paul and Kristi Marshall imagine their retirement, they see a farmhouse overlooking a thriving muscadine vineyard, a pear orchard, a field of Christmas trees, perhaps even a juice processing plant and bed-and-breakfast cabins. As the two have worked over to turn their dreams into reality, they’ve often enlisted the help of agents with North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Rockingham County Center and of agricultural specialists at N.C. State University. 

Feb 2, 2011

What's happened to total debt?

Everyone knows the federal government has borrowed a tremendous amount of money over the past couple of years. So why are interest rates still low? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden responds.