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

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

     CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., March 5 -- Employment in the Northern
Neck area grew at less than the state and national rate from 1980
to 1991, according to an economic profile by the University of
Virginia's Center for Public Service.
     The profile of the Northern Neck 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 grew at an average
annual rate of 1.4 percent over the period, compared to 3.2 percent
for the state and 2.2 percent for the nation.
     The service sector, with a 26.8 percent share of the
workforce, is the largest employment sector in the district,
according to U.Va. economist John L. Knapp, director of the
studies.  Among the planning districts only Northern Virginia has
a larger share of service employment.  Health care and retirement
facilities are a major reason for the importance of services in the
Northern Neck.  This is not surprising since the Northern Neck has
the largest percentage of population 65 and over among the planning
districts, Knapp said.
     The planning district includes the counties of Lancaster,
Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland.
     The study cites projections from a private forecasting firm
that the planning district will see a 1.3 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 a 1.1 percent average annual increase, the same as
projected 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 15:59:52 EST]