North Carolina Economic Impact Center
For more than four decades, UNC Charlotte has served North Carolina as an independent, nonpartisan and rigorous source of economic research, forecasting and analysis. The North Carolina Economic Impact Center formalizes that commitment — building on 40 years of institutional expertise to deliver the data, insight and analysis that businesses, government agencies and policymakers need to make informed about the state’s economy, workforce and communities.
Located within the Belk College of Business, the center draws on deep faculty expertise, established relationships across North Carolina’s public and private sectors and a track record of research that has shaped economic thinking at the local, state and national level. As an R1 research institution, UNC Charlotte brings the full weight of its academic enterprise to this work.
A 40-Year Foundation: The NC Economic Forecast
The Center’s work is anchored by one of North Carolina’s most enduring and trusted economic resources: the UNC Charlotte North Carolina Economic Forecast.
Since 1978, John Connaughton, professor of financial economics, has led the Forecast, building it into the state’s leading source of independent economic intelligence. Published quarterly, the Forecast provides in-depth analysis of North Carolina’s economy by sector and region, tracking Gross State Product, employment trends and economic growth indicators that inform decisions at every level of government and industry.
Dr. Connaughton’s work has been cited in local and national publications, and his economic impact research is cataloged in the United States Library of Congress. The North Carolina Economic Impact Center is the institutional vehicle through which this 40-year legacy continues and expands.
Quarterly Forecast Briefings
The Center hosts hybrid briefing events open to the Charlotte business community and policymakers across the state. These sessions feature a presentation and live Q&A, offering a direct window into the economic conditions shaping North Carolina’s future.
A Statewide Resource
The Center’s work extends across North Carolina, connecting the research capacity of UNC Charlotte with the needs of the public and private sectors statewide.
UNC Charlotte maintains active relationships with government agencies, civic organizations, and business leaders throughout the state. These relationships position the Center as a trusted and long-established participant in North Carolina’s policy conversation.
Research and Consulting Services
The center offers a range of research and consulting engagements, tailored to the specific needs of public agencies, private organizations and civic institutions. Services include:
- Economic Impact Analysis – Comprehensive assessment of the economic effects of major projects, investments, events, and policy initiatives on North Carolina’s regional and state economies.
- Fiscal Impact Analysis – Detailed evaluation of how proposed or existing initiatives affect public finances at the local, regional, and state level.
- Strategic Economic Consulting – Expert guidance for organizations navigating shifting economic conditions, policy environments, or market dynamics.
The center works with state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, civic institutions and private businesses of all sizes. Engagements are scoped individually to reflect the complexity and objectives of each project.
To discuss a potential research partnership, please submit a project inquiry using the form below.
Connect With Us
Speaking and Expert Commentary
Belk College of Business faculty are available to present on economic policy, regional development and North Carolina’s economic outlook for civic organizations, government bodies and nonprofit groups. To request a speaker, please contact Tomás Reynolds at jreyno74@charlotte.edu.
Media Inquiries
Members of the media seeking expert commentary or interviews with economics faculty may contact the UNC Charlotte media relations team.