Author: Ken Ellzey

Oct 20, 2014

Will North Carolina continue to urbanize?

Forty years ago North Carolina was the nation’s fourth most rural state, but today more than 60 percent of the state’s people live in urban areas. What happened? And, will it continue? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Oct 13, 2014

Cyclical or structural?

Many issues in today’s economy are blamed on the recession. This means solutions focus on actions that would speed the recovery from the recession. But, says N.C. State University economist Mike Walden, this focus might be misguided. 

Oct 6, 2014

Why young people are moving to the city

For several decades, city populations have been growing much faster than populations in rural areas and small towns. Indeed, many worry about a brain drain of the best and brightest leaving rural regions for the bright lights of the city. What’s motivating this shift? NC State University economist Mike Walden answers. 

Sep 29, 2014

Imports and jobs

Over the last two decades, even before the recession, job growth has been slower in the United States than it was in earlier years. Some say that’s been the result of foreign imports. N.C. State University economist Mike Walden considers the evidence. 

Sep 22, 2014

The value of a brand

When many of us shop for products or services, we immediately think of brand names, such as Coke, Pepsi, Amazon and Hanes. How important are brands? And why do buyers use them? N.C. State University economist Mike Walden explains. 

Sep 15, 2014

Tradeoffs in where we live

The television program House Hunters on HGTV follows first-time homebuyers in their quest to find the perfect home. Host Mary Walden asks her husband NC State economist Mike Walden, “Besides being entertaining, are there some good economic lessons in this show?” 

Sep 8, 2014

Rising costs of child rearing

Raising children is probably the most important thing that parents do. But, anyone who has done it knows it is costly, both in terms of time and money. Every year the federal government publishes numbers estimating the money costs. Host Mary Walden asks her husband NC State economist Mike Walden, “What are the latest amounts?” 

Sep 1, 2014

Who’s gotten wealthier?

The recession crushed the wealth of many households. But numbers show that these losses have at least stopped in recent years. Host Mary Walden poses this question to her husband, NC State Economist Dr. Mike Walden: I suspect that like income, changes in wealth vary per different groups of households. Am I correct? 

Aug 25, 2014

Too tight?

Some argue that one of the reasons for the relative slow economic recovery is that banks and other lenders still have very high standards that simply prohibit many from getting a loan. Since our economy revolves around credit, if borrowing is limited so will be economic improvement. Is this a valid issue? Host Mary Walden asks her husband, NC State Economist Dr. Mike Walden. 

Aug 18, 2014

How fast will the oil run out?

There is considerable optimism today about U.S. energy production. More oil wells are being drilled, and domestic oil production is skyrocketing. But we know oil is a limited resource. Won’t the production from new wells eventually run dry? Host Mary Walden asks her husband, NC State Economist Dr. Mike Walden.