94-03-05 New U.Va. Center for Public Service Report Gives In-Depth Economic Profile of Accomack-Northampton Planning District

NEW U.VA. CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE REPORT
GIVES IN-DEPTH ECONOMIC PROFILE OF 
ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON PLANNING DISTRICT

      CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 5 -- Employment on Virginia's
Eastern Shore grew at a much slower rate than either the state's
and nation's from 1980 to 1991, according to an economic profile by
the University of Virginia's Center for Public Service.
      The profile of the Accomack-Northampton Regional Planning
District, in the latest edition of the center's "Virginia's Local
Economies" series of occasional economic reports on each of the
state's 21 planning districts, shows that employment in the
district grew at an average rate of 0.8 percent over the period,
compared to a 3.2 percent rate for the state and 2.2 for the
nation.
      The planning district ranked 19th in employment growth for the
period, according to U.Va. economist John L. Knapp, director of the
studies.
      The planning district includes the two rural counties of
Accomack and Northampton.  Among the state's planning districts,
the Eastern Shore area is smallest in land area and ranks twentieth
in population size.
      The study cites projections from a private forecasting firm
that the planning district will see a 0.7 percent annual employment
growth rate for the rest of the decade, compared to the 1.5 percent
rate projected for the state.
      Real per capita personal income in the region is projected to
rise at 1.4 percent annual rate, compared to 1.1 percent for the state.
      The "Virginia's Local Economies" series includes updated
comparative data on all planning districts and local government
finances, as well as projections of population, employment, income
and school enrollment, and additional information about each
locality in a region.  The series is aimed at community planners,
economic developers, business and government officials, educators,
libraries and residents seeking local economic information.
      Cost is $12 per report, or $200 for the set of 21 reports. 
For additional information contact the U.Va. Center for Public
Service at (804) 982-5638.
                                    ###
                                                             March 4, 1994
      EDITORS, REPORTERS:  John Knapp may be reached at the above
number.

[Submitted by: Karen A. Castle  (kac@uva.pcmail.virginia.edu)
               Mon, 21 Mar 94 15:46:02 EST]