Focal Point: The Other North Carolina
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Since 2000, North Carolina's population has grown by nearly 800,000 people – with most of that growth in metropolitan areas such as Charlotte, the Triad and the Triangle.

Although these urban areas have been growing and prospering, many rural counties across the state have been struggling with declining populations, stagnant economies, high unemployment rates and high poverty rates.

Many of these communities have suffered from the loss of textile and furniture manufacturing operations that have moved to other countries. "It's hard to keep your sanity about you when you get booted out the door from three different plants," said J. D. Biggs, a former furniture plant worker in Spruce Pine. "It's really tough on any family."

Inland coastal counties have seen a decline in the state’s commercial seafood industry, which has been battered by hurricanes, pollution and foreign imports.

As young people leave these rural counties looking for economic opportunities in urban areas, they leave behind communities that are struggling economically.

Focal Point: The Other North Carolina explores this issue by looking at four rural counties across the state that have lost thousands of jobs and are looking for ways to replace them.

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