LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Southern Base of the Research Triangle Region

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, April 16, 2007


ECONOMIST TO PROVIDE ANALYSIS
OF LEE COUNTY'S LOCAL ECONOMY

SANFORD -- With a retail boom on Horner Boulevard, volatile gas prices and some industries facing an uncertain future, getting a true perspective of the local economy can be a challenge.

James Kleckley hopes to provide a clear picture when he gives his analysis, "The Changing Economy of Lee County," at the Committee of 100's spring luncheon on May 3 at Chef Paul's Cafe and Catering in Sanford. The event is open to the public.

As a regional economist and director of the Bureau of Business Research at East Carolina University, Kleckley sorts through volumes of economic data, helping businesses and governments use the most-current, best-available information to achieve their goals.

In his local presentation, Kleckley says, he will look at indicators "hot off the press" to explore the economic past, present and future of Lee County -- and to see how Lee stacks up against other areas across North Carolina and throughout the nation.

Kleckley has been participating in local economic analyses since the mid 1970s and has spent the last two decades helping develop programs to forecast state and local economies.

He received his Ph.D. in 1984 from the University of South Carolina and has served in many roles, including an analyst for the South Carolina Employment Security Commission and president of PSR Inc., a North Carolina-based economic consulting firm.

The bulk of his recent consulting projects, Kleckley says, have focused on the Carolinas, though others have taken him throughout the nation -- from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine.

The Bureau of Business Research is part of ECU's College of Business. It offers fee-based services to the business community. Among them: economic and business data, economic development data, economic forecast modeling and analysis, publications, and educational services.

All Committee of 100 meetings are open to the public; the cost, including lunch, is $15 per person for the general public and $10 per person for members. For reservations or information, contact Jane Haber at the Lee County Economic Development Corp., 919-774-8439 or info@lcedc.com.

The Committee of 100 is an organization of business leaders committing time, energy and resources to enhance the economic well-being of Lee County and its citizens. Corporate and individual members assist the Lee County Economic Development Corp. by establishing venture capital projects to expand local industry, helping to promote economic growth and enhancing working relationships among government, business and the community.

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Media Contacts

Bob Heuts, Director
Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant
919-774-8439   (phone)
919-775-5410   (fax)
info@lcedc.com (e-mail)


More on the Web

 LCEDC Media Web: http://www.lcedc.com/media/
 This release:    http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/nr041607.txt

 James Kleckley Mug Shot
   (736K JPEG, courtesy of James Kleckley)
   http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/releasephotos/JamesKleckley.jpg