The economic impact of Interstate 95 in selected counties of eastern North Carolina / by Ralph T. Powers, Jr.
| Author/creator | Powers, Ralph T. author. |
| Other author | Swager, Ronald J., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Geography. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1975. |
| Description | viii, 128 leaves : form, maps ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | Eastern North Carolina has experienced significant industrial growth during the 1960s and early 1970s. The purpose of this thesis is to determine the impact of Interstate 95 on the industrial growth and economic development in 22 selected counties of eastern North Carolina between 1956 and 1973. Six hundred and sixteen manufacturing industries located in the study area between 1956 and 1973. Based on the results of a questionnaire survey, it may be concluded that Interstate 95 is the fourth most important factor which industry considers in choosing the study area as a place to locate. Only one major Standard Industrial Classification industry group, tobacco processing, does not view Interstate 95 as important to its plant location decision. Simple correlation analysis was used to examine the impact of industrial growth on the economic structure of the region. Seventeen economic growth variables were used in this analysis. These variables were grouped into four broad categories: employment, service sector, population growth, and income. Based on the correlation results, it may be concluded that industrial growth has been significant in increasing employment opportunities and service sector growth. However, the region's increased industrial growth is not statistically significant in increasing either the money income of the inhabitants in the region or the region's population base. Nevertheless, increased industrial growth has realistically increased the income of the inhabitants of the region even though statistical significance was not achieved. Also, while the region's population base has not expanded due to industrial growth, increased industrial growth has been important in slowing down the outmigration rate. Therefore, it must be concluded that industrial growth has been significant in upgrading the economic structure of the region. Interstate 95 has played an integral role in the region's industrial growth process. Likewise, the industrial growth which has occurred has been significant to the region's economic development. Therefore, it is concluded that the Interstate has fulfilled its catalytic role in the region's growth process by stimulating industrial growth and thus, economic development. This conclusion needs one qualification. Industrial growth is not statistically significant in increasing the money income of the inhabitants in the region. This result is due to the region's concentrated growth in low-wage, laborintensive industries (textiles, apparels, lumber, and food processing). It is the contention of the author that local development policies which too often promote growth for growth's sake are the base of the problem. It is imperative that local officials become more aware of the negative long-range implications of low-wage industrial growth. Once this awareness is evident, local officials can use Interstate 95, along with other growth tools, to insure that future industrial development will have a more significant impact in upgrading the economic structure of the region. |
| General note | "Presented to the faculty of the Department of Geography ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Geography." |
| General note | Advisor: Ronald J. Swager |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 1975 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 112-116). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |