Swapna Jyothi

American Insights [press@americaninsights.org] 
Contact: Matthew Faraci
Office: (919) 645-0771
Email: press@americaninsights.org

NEW BUSINESS POLL

Two-Thirds Favor Incentives to Companies in Effort to Attract More Jobs to North Carolina, Especially in Areas with Less Opportunity
American Insights Signature Survey finds that 67% of North Carolina’s registered voters support the use of incentives to attract more out-of-state business
(Raleigh, NC – March 26, 2014) — New polling by American Insights (AI), an innovative, North Carolina-based polling and microtargeting firm, finds that North Carolina voters continue to support an aggressive economic growth agenda. Two-thirds support providing incentives to out-of-state companies to encourage them to open and hire in North Carolina, particularly in high unemployment areas.

“Our findings demonstrate that North Carolina’s voters continue to support a pro-growth agenda that makes the state more competitive by welcoming private sector investment. We see an electorate that is keenly aware that North Carolina is competing with other states for jobs, and that expanding opportunity in the state – particularly in areas with fewer jobs – remains an urgent priority,” said Pearce Godwin, AI Insights Director. “The shaky national economy continues to make voters nervous, which is why they are not yet confident in their economic future. While the recent economic picture in the state is positive, voters will likely want to see this trend continue over time before they will feel better about their long-term prospects.”

A recent report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that North Carolina experienced one of the greatest drops (2.1%) in its unemployment rate of any state from January 2013 to January 2014.  While business conditions have improved in recent years, voters are still eager to bring more jobs to North Carolina and don’t mind offering incentive packages to out-of-state companies to entice local investment.
The idea of providing such incentives is supported across the political spectrum.  Republicans are most in favor of incentives with 72% in favor and 12% opposed.  Democrats (65%-19%) and Independents (64%-17%) are slightly less in favor but still offer strong majority support.

Men are more supportive of the practice than women.  While more than 6 in 10 women (63%) support incentives, more than 7 in 10 men (71%) do so.
Young voters aged 18-34 are more in favor of offering incentives than any other demographic at 76%. 70% of voters in the 35-49 age bracket support incentives while 65% of their immediate elders (aged 50-64) do so.  The oldest voters, 65+, are least enthusiastic about incentives, offering only 58% support.

BUSINESS INSIGHTS
Two-thirds (67%) of NC voters support “providing incentives to out-of-state companies to encourage them to open and hire in North Carolina, particularly in high unemployment areas.”
The practice is supported across the political spectrum by between 64% and 72% of voters.  Republicans support the incentives (72%-12%) as do Independents (64%-17%) and Democrats (65%-19%).
Men are more supportive of the business incentives (71%-18%) than women (63%-15%).
Younger voters (18-34) are most in favor at 76% to 13%, then support trails off to 58%-18% among voters 65+.  Those aged 35-49 support incentives (70%-16%), and voters aged 50-64 register support at 65% to 17%.
 
46% of voters feel less confident in their economic future today than they did two years ago, compared with 26% who feel more confident.
Democrats and younger voters are the most optimistic at 38% and 40% more confident respectively.
Republicans claim to be less confident 61% to 18%, while Independents are less confident 48% to 23%.
While a full 50% of women are less confident, compared to 22% more confident, 42% of men are less confident versus 31% more confident.
All age groups except the youngest (18-34), are less confident by margins of 27 to 29 points.  Voters 18 to 34 are more evenly divided at 40% more confident to 43% less confident.

See full survey questions and results here. (http://americaninsights.org/february-signature-poll-results/)
METHODOLOGY: American Insights surveyed 611 registered voters in North Carolina between February 11th and 15th. The margin of error for the survey is +/- 4.0%. “Triple Helix” mixed modal surveying methodology included 60% landline phone, 20% cell phone, and 20% online.  All respondents were asked questions concerning basic demographics, and the entire sample was weighted to accurately reflect the actual registered voter population in North Carolina according to age, race, gender, geographic area and party registration.  On party registration, the sample precisely matched the registered voter population at 43% Democrat, 31% Republican, 26% Unaffiliated.

American Insights regularly takes the pulse of North Carolinians to determine where they stand on key topics including politics, public policy, business, and cultural issues. The firm’s website –AmericanInsights.org – serves as a hub for data and intelligence on topics of interest, featuring exclusive AI Trend Charts, which aggregate all North Carolina polling data on key topics, providing a one-stop snapshot of current trends in the state.
Follow @AmericanInsight on Twitter for the latest updates from the AI Team.