RALEIGH - Economist Dr. Mike Walden is encouraged by the recent job report, citing growth in construction and manufacturing jobs. And there's even more encouraging news.

"We saw that the average work week went up meaning that more of these jopbs were full time jobs,as well as the average hourly pay went up. I can't really find anything wrong with this jobs report."

Walden noted the return of the housing market as a positive nationally as well as here in our state.