THE SHELBY INDEPENDENT

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor Shelby Independent file graphic As 2025 draws to a close, North Carolina appears on track to finish the year with an unemployment rate that is better than the national average. (Continued below local sponsors) Statistics released by the state on Thursday showed North Carolina with an unemployment of 3.7% for September. That's unchanged from the month before and once again lower than the national average of 4.4%. North Carolina’

By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor Tier 1 counties are the most economically distressed. The tier system is used to direct state grant programs and incentives to counties that are the most in need of economic development. For example, companies creating jobs in Tier 1 counties can receive a higher percentage of incentives.   Graphic by The Shelby Independent (The Center Square) – Eighteen counties either have changed tiers in the annual release of economic he

By David Beasley | The Center Square The North Carolina state flag is shown flying against a blue sky. Photo: Mark Stebnicki (The Center Square) – With 2025 drawing to a close, the North Carolina Legislature still hasn’t approved a state budget, making it only the state in the nation without a full budget for fiscal 2026, according to the National Association of State Budget officers. This year may seem unusual, but in recent years, operating without an approved budget has b

By David Beasley | From our partners at The Center Square (The Center Square) – A new health insurance program for small businesses in North Carolina was unveiled Tuesday with the promise of lower group rates than are offered by individual policies. The program, called Carolina Healthworks, is described as a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” offered by Blue Cross North Carolina and the North Carolina Chamber. It was authorized by the Legislature and implemented with hel

The four-year graduation rate was the highest in a decade, increasing to 87.7%, from 87% in 2023-24.