The Charlotte Observer: “The Nation’s Poor: A Story You Won’t Hear This Week In Charlotte.” (Leonard Pitts, “The Nation’s Poor: A Story You Won’t Hear This Week In Charlotte,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/2/12)

In North Carolina, The Poverty Rate Has Reached 17.5 Percent. “Whatever your preferred euphemism, know this: They are an army and they are growing. The poverty rate stands at 15.1 percent as of 2010, the last year for which statistics are available. In North Carolina, the rate is even higher at 17.5 percent. In absolute numbers, the national rate translates to 46.2 million Americans, the most ever recorded in the 53 years America has been calculating poverty.” (Leonard Pitts, “The Nation’s Poor: A Story You Won’t Hear This Week In Charlotte,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/2/12)

·       In Wake County, Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry Feeds More Than 2,000 People Every Month. “At the tiny, one-story Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry, organizers say demand has soared in the past two years. Run by a coalition of churches, it now feeds about 2,000 people every month. “There are so many of them that never ever dreamed they would be in this position,” says director Mary Frances Goodard.” (Craig Jarvis, “North Carolina’s Middle Class Shows The Strain Of Years Of Job Losses,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/2/12)

·       The Food Bank Of Central And Eastern North Carolina Is “Distributing 21 Percent More Food Than It Was Four Years Ago.”  “Jennifer Caslin with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina, which provides food to outlets such as the one in Fuquay, says it is distributing 21 percent more food than it was four years ago. In Raleigh, the volume increased from 3 million pounds of food a month to more than 4 million pounds, she said, and hit record distribution this past fiscal year.” (Craig Jarvis, “North Carolina’s Middle Class Shows The Strain Of Years Of Job Losses,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/2/12)

“If Democrats Were Hoping That North Carolina Would Provide A Narrative To Support The President’s Case That The Economy Is On The Rebound, They Must Be Disappointed.”  “And if Democrats were hoping that North Carolina would provide a narrative to support the president’s case that the economy is on the rebound, they must be disappointed. The state has an unemployment rate of 9.6 percent — one of the highest in the country. The Charlotte metro rate is even higher at 10 percent, making it more difficult to portray the city of 750,000 as on the cusp of recovery after its once-soaring banking industry tumbled.” (Gary D. Robertson, “For Some In Party, Charlotte Looking Like Curious Choice,” The Associated Press, 9/1/12)

·       Eric Heberlig, A Political Science Professor At UNC Charlotte: “It’s Harder To Use Charlotte As The Place For The National Economic Turnaround, Driven By Obama Economic Policies.” “‘The plan was that Charlotte would allow them to give the message that the banks went down, but Charlotte is coming back, just like the country,’ said Eric Heberlig, a political science professor at UNC Charlotte. Heading into next week, he added, ‘It’s harder to use Charlotte as the place for the national economic turnaround, driven by Obama economic policies.’” (Gary D. Robertson, “For Some In Party, Charlotte Looking Like Curious Choice,” The Associated Press, 9/1/12)

“North Carolina’s Middle Class Is Starting To Show The Wear And Tear.” “But after more than three years with an unemployment rate higher than the national rate, North Carolina’s middle class is starting to show the wear and tear.” (Craig Jarvis, “North Carolina’s Middle Class Shows The Strain Of Years Of Job Losses,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/2/12)

·       In The Last Decade, North Carolina’s Median Household Income Fell By 10 Percent, And Unemployment Has Lasted 6 Months Or More For Nearly Half Of Those Out Of Work. “Median household income in the state fell over the decade by nearly 10 percent, to $43,326, according to the Budget and Tax Center, a nonprofit advocacy group in Raleigh. The center, in a report coming out this weekend, also found that North Carolina lost high-wage jobs and gained low-wage jobs. The report found that unemployment has lasted six months or more for nearly half of those who are out of work.” (Craig Jarvis, “North Carolina’s Middle Class Shows The Strain Of Years Of Job Losses,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/2/12)

The Charlotte Metro Unemployment Rate Is 10 Percent.  “And if Democrats were hoping that North Carolina would provide a narrative to support the president’s case that the economy is on the rebound, they must be disappointed. The state has an unemployment rate of 9.6 percent — one of the highest in the country. The Charlotte metro rate is even higher at 10 percent, making it more difficult to portray the city of 750,000 as on the cusp of recovery after its once-soaring banking industry tumbled.” (Gary D. Robertson, “For Some In Party, Charlotte Looking Like Curious Choice,” The Associated Press, 9/1/12)

·       “48,000 People Were Looking For Work In Mecklenburg County In July, The Highest Level Since January.” “More than 48,000 people were looking for work in Mecklenburg County in July, the highest level since January. The local unemployment rate remains higher than the state and national average. Bankruptcy filings have ticked upward. And even a turnaround in Mecklenburg’s housing market hasn’t been enough to bolster consumer confidence amid continued uncertainty in the U.S. and abroad.” (Kristen Valle Pittman, “Despite DNC Boost, Economic Recovery Dragging In Host City Charlotte,” The Charlotte Observer, 9/1/12)