Archive for the ‘NC Economics Series’ Category

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Friday, December 9th, 2005

Charlotte is one of five cities in the running to host the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The winner of the bidding war will be announced at the beginning of the new year. But as Charlotte puts forth its best effort in an attempt to snag yet another piece of NASCAR history, what would the NASCAR Hall of Fame bring Charlotte? Host Melinda Penkava talks about the proposed economic impact from the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the changing demographic of NASCAR lovers with Jeff MacGregor, author of “Sunday Monday” (HarperCollins 2005); Pat McCrory, mayor of Charlotte; Jim Hobbs, President of the N.C. Hotel and Lodging Association; and Jeff Taylor, reporter for the Carolina Journal, a publication of the John Locke Foundation. Listener Call-In. (40:00)

This program was produced in cooperation with students in Professor Patrick Conway’s first-year seminar class at UNC-Chapel Hill entitled “The Economics of North Carolina.” For more information on this topic, click here.

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Wal-Mart

Tuesday, December 6th, 2005

Southeast Raleigh is set to get a new Wal-Mart. Many residents there can hardly wait to see the low prices, but in Chatham County, rumors of a new Wal-Mart have already mobilized local opponents. Host Melinda Penkava looks at the good and bad of the retail giant, and its impact on communities. Guests include: Penny Glenn, a resident of Southeast Raleigh; Jeffrey Starkweather, former employment lawyer and chairman of the Chatham Coalition; Glen Wilkins, community affairs manager for the southeast region of Wal-Mart; and Michael Hicks, a professor of economics at the Air Force Institute of Technology. Listener Call-in. (59:00)

This program was produced in cooperation with students in Professor Patrick Conway’s first-year seminar class at UNC-Chapel Hill entitled “The Economics of North Carolina.” For more information on this topic, click here.

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Hurricane Economics

Wednesday, November 30th, 2005

The 2005 hurricane season ends today. Twenty-six named storms and four hurricanes hit the U.S., making this season the worst, and most expensive, on record. As preparation turns to rebuilding, host Melinda Penkava looks at the economic realities of hurricanes. Guests include: Jamie Kruse, director of the Center for Natural Hazard Research at East Carolina University; Ashley London, reporter with the Charlotte Business Journal; Jim Kleckley, professor of finance at E.C.U; Barbara Barrett, reporter with the News & Observer of Raleigh; and Michael Madonna, homeowner on Topsail Island. Listener Call-In. (59:00)

This program was produced in cooperation with the students of Professor Patrick Conway’s first-year seminar class at UNC-Chapel Hill entitled “The Economics of North Carolina.” For more information on this topic, click here.

Listen Here