Economic doubts after State of the Union: Hendersonville voters say Trump's economic message fell flat
Hendersonville residents voiced skepticism after President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, drawing sharp local contrasts over economic claims. The reactions matter now as regional job data and recent manufacturing layoffs highlight uncertainty for businesses and workers.
Dawn Sewell at Mike’s on Main says speech didn’t resonate
Dawn Sewell, a waitress who has worked six years at Mike’s on Main Sandwich Shop in Hendersonville, said she voted for President Donald Trump in his second term but that what he said about the economy did not resonate as she watched a portion of his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Sewell, who enjoys her job and is known for smiling and good service, said business at the sandwich shop has been down since Helene but may be slightly coming back. She said she is unsure of what to expect with business and the economic situation in Hendersonville but will continue to work hard in her shifts.
Aaron Black, a Main Street builder, says inflation is hurting people
Aaron Black, a home and commercial builder with his main office on Main Street, said he is feeling the inflation pain and believes others are, too. “I feel like it’s kicking everyone in the teeth, including myself, ” Black said, while also adding, “For us, the economy’s great. ” He said his construction business is doing well but that he’s not so sure about others in Henderson County, and that current data for jobs in western North Carolina doesn’t paint a clear picture of the region’s trend, up or down.
Economic data from the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board for four counties
The Mountain Area Workforce Development Board compiled jobs and employment data for Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, and Transylvania counties going back to 2020. The board noted that unemployment in Western North Carolina is down to 3. 2%. The report found that from 2020 to 2025, jobs increased by 9. 4%, which is just 1. 2% below the national growth of 10. 6%. Looking closely at trends, the report showed 2025 had fewer jobs in the four-county region compared to 2024.
Cohen warns of a possible slowdown or recession amid policy uncertainty
“I worry about a slowdown or a recession, ” Cohen said, adding that there are “a lot of policies that are creating uncertainty, and so we’re trying to see how companies, businesses, and households are reacting to those policies. ” Cohen noted that “the U. S. economy continues to power through a lot of this uncertainty, so that makes people more optimistic that maybe we’ll continue to power through, ” but he also emphasized that “I think there are definitely worrying trends. ”
Manufacturing layoffs hit the region: Baxter in Marion cuts jobs after Helene
Two major regional manufacturers in the past 60 days announced major layoffs. Baxter in Marion, which makes IV medical devices, said 90 workers would be let go due to the economic impacts of Helene. A related notice indicated Baxter eliminated 3% of the Marion facility's workforce, citing post-Helene market conditions.
Article date: Feb. 25, 2026.
