NC jobs forecast shows two years of losses

CHARLOTTE — A new report predicts North Carolina will again suffer overall job loss next year following this year’s losses, but that the economy will begin improving in the spring.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte released a report that estimated nearly 96,000 jobs will be lost statewide during 2008 and 2009.

That’s the first time in six years the state has experienced two consecutive years of job losses. Federal labor statistics show 86,000 jobs were lost in 2002 and 2003.

The report said more than 58,000 jobs will be gone by the end of this year. It said about 38,000 jobs will be cut next year.

The annual report was released Tuesday. Last year, report author John Connaughton predicted North Carolina would add about 84,000 jobs in 2008.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)