Here in the Triad, unemployment remains stubbornly high, bank lending continues to lag far behind where it was four years ago, and new home construction still has a long way to go. But in this week’s Business Report, Business Journal contributing writer and Wake Forest University Journalism Program Director Justin Catanoso is finding reasons for hope in several key sectors of the local economy.

The Business Journal reports that opportunity is knocking, and ringing more frequently for the Triad's economic development community. A resurgent manufacturing sector is seeing the value of overseas exports returning to and even surpassing pre-recession levels. And with closings on new and existing homes in Forsyth, Guilford and Alamance counties on the rise, confidence is building for the residential market.

Justin spoke with WFDD’s David Ford from our Winston-Salem studio.