Financial Struggles During Holiday Season
Daijah Bryant, a 26-year-old technician at an engine plant, recently completed 22 consecutive workdays to save for Christmas shopping. After loading gifts into her car outside a Walmart in Rocky Mount, she expressed frustration over balancing expenses. “Having to pay bills, if you happen to pay rent and try to do Christmas all at the same time, it is very, very hard,” she said with exasperation.
Political Context and Economic Sentiment
As President Donald Trump prepared for a Friday evening visit to Rocky Mount, some residents described an economic squeeze affecting the town, which spans two rural counties. This marks Trump's second event this month promoting his economic policies ahead of next year's midterm elections, both in key battleground states. Rocky Mount lies in a historically competitive U.S. House district, recently redrawn by Republican legislators to favor their party.
Despite its political significance, residents report hardships mirroring broader American concerns over high costs for groceries, housing, and utilities. Polls indicate many Americans view the economy poorly due to persistent price increases. Trump has maintained that economic trends are positive and relief is coming, sometimes suggesting reduced consumption as a solution.
Downtown Challenges and Local Business
Rocky Mount's downtown, once a thriving tobacco hub, now features crimson smokestacks and graffiti-covered trains along old railroad tracks. The area has shifted to industries like manufacturing and biopharmaceuticals but faces ongoing difficulties, including recent city government financial issues leading to higher utility prices.
Efforts to revitalize downtown have progressed slowly, with many storefronts remaining empty. Lucy Slep, co-owner of The Miner's Emporium jewelry store for nearly 40 years, commented on the decline. “Every downtown in every little town is beautiful,” she said. “But without the businesses, it's dead.” Her store has seen fewer customers, with more people selling jewelry than buying it this holiday season. “This year is just not a jewelry Christmas, for whatever reason,” she added.
Mixed Outlooks Among Residents
Slep remains hopeful for improvement under Trump's policies, including anticipated tax cuts, attributing current strains to previous administration effects. In contrast, Shiva Mrain, an engineer, noted his family's situation hasn't changed much, though lower gas prices are encouraging. Bryant, however, feels disillusioned, having skipped the last election due to skepticism about political change. Nearly a year into Trump's term, she remains doubtful. “I can't really say ... that change is coming,” she said. “I don't think anything is going to change.”
