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I know my fellow tar-heels, it's the same silly question. However, this one will be with a different twist. As a proud tar-heel I have recently stumbled upon a book about NC becoming global by an economist from State. Of course we already know these two cities strongly power the state economy but these two cities are also wiping out the image that NC is just a textile and tobacco backwoods place. This is a chance for us tar-heels to comment on the grand Old North State.
Which area would you choose and why? The twist to this poll is state what the area would need to do to get you to move there. I will post economic data about each respective city as well as where to find this data. Feel free to posts pics. Also, what does NC need to do to survive the recession?
P.S. I did not forget about the triad, asheville, or wilmington. Also, Durham is included with Raleigh as I am referring to the triangle. I guess I should have just stated that.
Interesting poll. In terms of my educational background, Raleigh is actually a better fit for me career-wise as my degree is in biology. However, Raleigh doesn't offer all of the amenities that Charlotte does currently that I've come to enjoy. Heck, even Charlotte falls short in some areas as far as the things I want in a city. So I guess I'll vote for the city I currently reside in, while taking absolutely nothing away from the Triangle.
I am gonna have to think about this one for a while. I find things in Raleigh appealing, as well as in Charlotte (where I live).
And I am not sure that I feel the "image" of this state needs to change . . . but I am not ready to comment about that til I have given this some thought.
Just wanted you to know - interesting topic and I will give this some thought, as I hope others will.
Interesting poll. In terms of my educational background, Raleigh is actually a better fit for me career-wise as my degree is in biology. However, Raleigh doesn't offer all of the amenities that Charlotte does currently that I've come to enjoy. Heck, even Charlotte falls short in some areas as far as the things I want in a city. So I guess I'll vote for the city I currently reside in, while taking absolutely nothing away from the Triangle.
In this context, I suppose I shouldn't say it "falls short," but rather there are some things that the city naturally doesn't have (or it doesn't provide more options in certain areas) due to its smaller size when compared to cities like Atlanta or DC.
I can't speak for what Akhenaton might feel is something where Charlotte "falls short" but I can tell you what I personally think Charlotte lacks. We have a really nice small museum (Mint Museum) and I feel it is a good museum, but it can't compare to the really extensive museums wh/ are found in some of the cities of similar size in other cities. For example, Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins museum . . . Also, Charlotte's center core seems strangely disconnected f/ its history - for a city wh/ was founded prior to the Revolutionary War.
I can't speak for what Akhenaton might feel is something where Charlotte "falls short" but I can tell you what I personally think Charlotte lacks. We have a really nice small museum (Mint Museum) and I feel it is a good museum, but it can't compare to the really extensive museums wh/ are found in some of the cities of similar size in other cities. For example, Kansas City's Nelson-Atkins museum . . . Also, Charlotte's center core seems strangely disconnected f/ its history - for a city wh/ was founded prior to the Revolutionary War.
Now, I do believe that the new Mint Museum should be opening soon, either @ the end of the year or some time next year. Hopefully, that new cultural campus will make a huge difference in terms of changing the arts and culture scene in Charlotte. I would vote for Charlotte over Raleigh, but somehow, I'm not allowed to vote, don't know why, but it won't let me vote.
Ok, here we go. Interesting facts about these two regions of NC:
* they account for 67% of the NC population growth from 2000-2007 (693430 total, CLT:350k, RDU: 343k)
*NC GDP in 2006: $379billion, CLT&RDU combined GDP:$190billion. That is about 50% of the state's GDP
* city population/CSA population estimates for 2008: CLT: 687,456/2,338,289 Raleigh:392,552 Durham:223,284 RDU:1,690,557
To summarize this data, the Triangle and Charlotte regions have accounted for 2/3rds of the growth, half of the gdp, and their CSAs account for 44% of the states population.
Individually Charlotte for percentage of growth, gdp, and CSA population equates to 34%, 30%, and 25% respctively. Not to knock Raleigh-Durham, but the significance that Charlotte plays to the economy of NC is very critical and huge. I think it is something that our state and local politicians need to realize in order to develop what could truly be a great gem in NC. If you do the math you can see what the Triangle areas contributes. Both areas are huge economic engines.
If you think the stats from these two regions surprise you, when the Piedmont Triad is added to the mix, you can see how much NC is driven and carried by these three areas and 5 cities.
Ok, here we go. Interesting facts about these two regions of NC:
* they account for 67% of the NC population growth from 2000-2007 (693430 total, CLT:350k, RDU: 343k)
*NC GDP in 2006: $379billion, CLT&RDU combined GDP:$190billion. That is about 50% of the state's GDP
* city population/CSA population estimates for 2008: CLT: 687,456/2,338,289 Raleigh:392,552 Durham:223,284 RDU:1,690,557
To summarize this data, the Triangle and Charlotte regions have accounted for 2/3rds of the growth, half of the gdp, and their CSAs account for 44% of the states population.
Individually Charlotte for percentage of growth, gdp, and CSA population equates to 34%, 30%, and 25% respctively. Not to knock Raleigh-Durham, but the significance that Charlotte plays to the economy of NC is very critical and huge. I think it is something that our state and local politicians need to realize in order to develop what could truly be a great gem in NC. If you do the math you can see what the Triangle areas contributes. Both areas are huge economic engines.
If you think the stats from these two regions surprise you, when the Piedmont Triad is added to the mix, you can see how much NC is driven and carried by these three areas and 5 cities.
^It's nothing against the Triad. It is an important area. It is just astounding how these two areas are significant. I think of the Triad as a bonus.
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