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

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

     CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 5 -- Employment in the Middle
Peninsula grew at an average rate of 3 percent a year between 1980
and 1991, according to an economic profile by the University of
Virginia's Center for Public Service.
     The profile of the Middle Peninsula 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 the district lagged
slightly behind the state's employment growth rate of 3.2 percent
for the period but ahead of the national 2.2 percent rate.  In
addition, many Middle Peninsula workers are employed outside the
area in the Richmond and Hampton Roads metro areas.
     Unlike the adjacent Northern Neck, the Middle Peninsula was
relatively unaffected by the most recent recession, as employment
continued to rise through 1990 and 1991, according to U.Va.
economist John L. Knapp, director of the studies.  Among the
planning district the Middle Peninsula ranked fifth in employment
growth.  Services maintained its position as the  largest
employment sector in the planning district in 1991, claiming 24.3
percent of total employment.
     The planning district includes the counties of Essex,
Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex.
     The study cites projections from a private forecasting firm
that the planning district will see a 2.8 percent annual employment
growth rate for the 1990s, compared to the 1.5 percent rate
projected for the state.
     Real per capita personal income in the region is projected to
rise at 1.3 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 15:52:48 EST]