UNC SYSTEM ENROLLMENT: EBBS & FLOWS.

For the second straight year, the UNC System reported record-setting attendance as knowledge-based jobs continue to climb in North Carolina. Enrollment at the system's 16 universities grew to 239,987 for the fall semester, a 1.3% increase from 2018. Surprisingly, some smaller, rural schools are seeing the most robust growth, benefiting from low-cost tuition plans. UNC Pembroke's enrollment gained 7.9% this year after increasing 14% in 2018. The chart shows changes in enrollment for the five fastest growers and for five schools showing declines compared with the previous academic year.

Caption: CAROLINAS INDEX The Carolinas Index is an equal weighted index composed of the 75 largest companies in the Carolinas based on market value.

Caption: TAXABLE RETAIL SALES (billion)

Growers % change UNC Pembroke 7.9% Elizabeth City State University 5.7% UNC Wilmington 4.5% Western Carolina University 4.5% UNC School of the Arts 4.20% Decliners % change UNC Asheville -4.3% NC Central University -2.4% Winston-Salem State University -1.3% UNC Chapel Hill -0.4% UNC Charlotte -0.3% RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT VALUATIONS (million) (YEAR TO DATE)...