(DURHAM) -- One of the President's top economic advisors met with business leaders in Research Triangle Park on Thursday to discuss jobs, growth, and the forecast for the future. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank cited a healthy stock market and increases in housing prices are examples of an improving economy.

She did make it clear that we still have a long way to go.  "We're not where we want to be. Higher levels of growth and lower unemployment is absolutely where we need to go, but I think we've come a long ways.  We got a ways to go.  We're on the right path," said Secretary Blank.

Blank added that the collaboration between North Carolina's research universities and the manufacturing industry should help the state create new jobs.