The Citizen-Times speculated about the impact of a prolonged recession on Asheville. Fewer baby boomers are expected to buy second homes, reducing the number of rich people patronizing Asheville businesses. Green jobs are expected to flourish, spurred on with incentives from public and private interests. People will keep working after retirement age. Manufacturing has long been a lost cause.

According to another report, the only economic sectors in the Asheville Metropolitan Statistical Area that are employing more people than they did last year are “health services and private education” and “government.” This is in spite of budget cuts and hiring freezes.