Wilmington soars in the ranks

 Wilmington NC has increased in ranks from the 59th position to the number 2 spot in the 2007 Milken Institute

Best Performing Cities index. Wilmington's increased Port activity is a major contributing factor, since a channel was recently made deeper allowing for an increase in capacity for many imports. GE is coming on strong with the renewed interest in nuclear energy and Verizon Wireless has been expanding operations as well, which has helped fuel the 22.2 percent increase in telecommunications employment over the past 5 years. Overall the area ranks 15th in job growth over the past 5 years and shows no signs of slowing down. So, while much of the country is experiencing a slowdown, Wilmington has not lost much momentum at all.