Economic and economic reactions: 'I wasn’t impressed with him' — WNC community reacts to Trump's State of the Union
HENDERSONVILLE, N. C. — As residents watched a portion of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday, Feb. 24, local voters expressed skepticism about national claims and the economic picture at home. Several people interviewed in Hendersonville said the president’s remarks on a strong stock market and lower core inflation did not resonate for them.
Economic concerns on Main Street
Dawn Sewell has worked as a waitress for six years at Mike’s on Main Sandwich Shop in Hendersonville. It’s clear from the way she interacts with customers that she enjoys her job and is always ready with a smile and good service. She said she voted for President Donald Trump in his second term.
Sewell said she watched a portion of the State of the Union on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and that what the president said about the economy did not resonate. At the sandwich shop, Sewell said business has been down since Helene but may be slightly coming back. She said she’s unsure of what to expect with business and the economic outlook in Hendersonville but will continue to work hard in her shifts.
Voices from Mike’s on Main
Patrons and workers at Mike’s on Main described mixed impressions. Sewell’s observation — that the president’s talk of a strong stock market and falling inflation did not match her experience — echoed through conversations in the shop. A photo caption from coverage of the reactions noted Sewell watched a portion of the speech on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Builders and inflation pain
Aaron Black, a home and commercial builder whose construction business has its main office on Main Street, said he is feeling the impact of rising costs. “I feel like it’s kicking everyone in the teeth, including myself, ” Black said. He followed that by saying, “For us, the economy’s great. ” Black added that while his own business is doing well, he’s not so sure about others in Henderson County and that he feels people are hurting.
Black also said current data for jobs in western North Carolina doesn’t paint a clear picture of the current economic trend for the region, up or down.
Workforce data and trends
A recent study by the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board crunched jobs and employment data for Henderson, Buncombe, Madison, and Transylvania counties since 2020. The Mountain Area Workforce Development Board said unemployment is down to 3. 2% in western North Carolina.
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%. But looking closely at the trends, 2025 had fewer jobs in the four-county region compared to 2024. The report showed the following unemployment percentages for the counties: unclear in the provided context.
Cohen cautioned about the outlook: “I worry about a slowdown or a recession, ” Cohen said. “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. But 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 I think there are definitely worrying trends. ”
Layoffs at Baxter in Marion
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. Another line in local coverage summarized the effect as Baxter eliminates 3% of Marion facility's workforce, citing post-Helene market conditions.
Local reactions in Hendersonville on and after Feb. 24 capture a mix of partisan loyalty, personal concern and skepticism about national economic messaging. Residents like Sewell and business owners like Black voiced caution about whether national indicators reflect Main Street experience.
FEB. 25, 2026
