Regional Matters

In the Carolinas, the share of older migrants has risen over the past decade, but that trend masks notable differences across counties.

The Richmond Fed surveyed firms about their involvement in data center construction and found that fewer than one-third of respondents reported any involvement. However, firms that were involved reported faster growth in costs, prices, wages, and future employment.

Solid demand continued, but consumers still seemed stretched this past cycle. With 2027 on the horizon, there was high uncertainty among businesses about growth, geopolitics, and interest rates.

Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina more than two years ago. While more recent data reveal slow population growth and a softened housing market, there are signs that positive growth is on the horizon.

The Richmond Fed business survey asked firms about their pricing strategies and found that firms have adjusted prices more frequently and adopted new pricing strategies to manage unpredictable input costs.

How do states determine high-demand jobs? Fifth District states and jurisdictions have different approaches, but health care and information technology have emerged as priority industries.

Both demand and the labor market remained solid this past cycle, while businesses noted that cost pressures felt more widespread, squeezing businesses with limited pricing power.

This post explores how state and local economies in the Fifth District might be impacted by elevated fuel costs.

Registered Apprenticeship is becoming more common in rural communities — accounting for nearly one-fifth of apprentices nationwide. The participation of youth aged 16 to 24 has been an important part of that growth.

Learn how AI is being used among firms in the Fifth District, and the role firms believe AI will play in the future.