Regional Matters
These posts examine local, regional and national data that matter to the Fifth District economy and our communities.
Housing and transportation represent the two largest living expenses in most households, but local investment can address households’ travel needs.
Although U.S. employment in manufacturing has decreased since the 1980s, the industry has become a vital employer in rural areas, where it pays above-average wages.
Small businesses remained challenged throughout 2021 and those that sought financing to bridge funding gaps experienced a higher rate of denials than before the pandemic.
Revised historical monthly employment and unemployment data provide new clarity on the track of labor market recovery in Fifth District states.
Intermediary organizations, including anchor institutions, rural development hubs, and collective impact backbone organizations, play an important role in rural capacity building.
Congress allocated $65 billion for broadband in the IIJA, but bridging the digital divide will require cooperation among federal, state and local actors.
Fifth District firms report that two years into the pandemic, they still cannot provide enough goods and services to completely meet customer demand.
The GoodCare Program in Virginia helps aspiring workers complete career pathways in health care, addressing workforce shortages in a sector essential to equitable pandemic recovery.