Statistics show Charlotte job growth is on the rise

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte's economy is continuing to build momentum heading into 2015.
 
Employment is at record levels and businesses say they're still hiring.
 
Through the third quarter of 2014, more than 11,100 new jobs were created in Charlotte.
 
That's 2,500 more jobs than at the same time last year.
 
Many of the jobs from big announcements by companies like Sealed Air Corp and AvidXchange will pay six-figure salaries that will trickle into the overall economy quickly.
 
"Paying a higher wage, that means those folks have more money to spend in the local economy," said Mike Wolf, an economist at Wells Fargo. "It creates a bigger uptick in retail."
 
The improving economy is having a real impact beyond the kinds of companies most people usually see.
 
Scott Smith who helps municipalities collect unpaid taxes at Tax Management Associates said he's hired 11 people in the last 30 days.
 
"We were probably doing more with less for a while," Smith said, "And now we're getting to the point where we're confident the business is going to be there."
 
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce President Bob Morgan said he's not the only one bullish on Charlotte for 2015.
 
"A lot of our members are playing offense," he said. "They're making investments in assets and in employments. We're having an economic outlook conference later this month and I think we're going to hear some stronger optimism than we've heard in a long time."

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