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Catawba's economy may improve soon
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Published: May 11, 2008
HICKORY -- Catawba County and the Hickory metro area are showing signs of economic strength.
According to the recently released Western North Carolina Economic Index, the region's economy remained flat for the first quarter of the year.
Thirteen of the 25 Western North Carolina counties had a net job loss in March, but Catawba County was third in job gains.
Although unemployment increased throughout the region in 24 of the 25 counties, the seasonally adjusted rate for the Hickory metro area -- Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties -- rose 0.3 points to 6.7 percent.
Officials said they expect positive news in the Hickory area to help the jobless rate later this year.
Last month, furniture manufacturer Williams-Sonoma announced 820 new jobs during the next three years. The company already has begun hiring people.
The Target distribution plant near Newton will open in summer 2009, bringing at least 400 jobs and likely hundreds more. Company officials said they expect hiring to start later this year.
Finally, numerous people are being hired in Caldwell County at a new Google data center that is set to open soon.
North Carolina Zoo closed because of broken water line
ASHEBORO -- The North Carolina Zoo sincerely apologizes, but it is closed this weekend because of a broken water line.
Zoo spokesman Rod Hackney said yesterday that Mother's Day weekend usually is one of the busiest at the state-owned animal park. Zoo Director David Jones said he regrets the decision but had no alternative.
A 12-inch water pipe that supplies the zoo's African exhibit broke Thursday.
Officials had planned to use portable toilets in that area, but discovered Friday that the water would have to be shut off to the rest of the park.
The zoo will be closed until at least Monday.
Southport-Fort Fisher ferry may be closed for two months
SOUTHPORT -- An official says that the state-run ferry between Southport and Fort Fisher on the North Carolina coast may close for about two months this winter for repair work on loading ramps.
The Wilmington Star-News reported yesterday that Jack Cahoon, the director of the ferry division, said that if engineering plans are complete, the route will close in December and January for ramp work on both sides of the Cape Fear River route.
Cahoon said that if the plans aren't complete this year, the ferry route will be closed those same months in 2009 and 2010.
Chief deputy to replace Brunswick County sheriff
BOLIVIA -- John William Ingram V has been chosen the new sheriff of Brunswick County to replace Ronald Hewett, who resigned after he was suspended and charged with embezzlement and obstructing justice.
The Wilmington Star-News reported that Ingram was chosen yesterday in a secret ballot by the county Democratic Party to serve the rest of Hewett's term that will end in 2010.
Ingram had been hired as the county's chief deputy last month by the interim sheriff. He worked in the office from 1991 to 2004 and three years in the Columbus County Sheriff's Office.
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N.C. Politics
Federal Politics
The Downtown Summer Music Series will begin on Thursday. Ed Bumgardner talks to some of the organizers of the Downtown Jazz lineup, in which a form of music known as "smooth jazz" will play a more prominent role this year.
Thursday's relish stories will appear in the Entertainment section.
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