Todd Cherry Quotations

The region is declining as part of the state's overall labor market.

With the sustained weakness in the metro area's labor market, it appears Hickory has experienced an out-migration of workers - most likely the area's more skilled workers.

Though not all people leaving the work force leave the area, a persistent reduction in the labor force may indicate an outward migration of skilled labor.

The brunt of the losses was disproportionately felt by the Foothills and far-western counties.