Civilian employment in Hampton Roads is expected to rise slightly in 2015, a regional economic report said.

The 2015 forecast, released Jan. 15 by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, showed civilian employment is projected to rise 0.9 percent this year, up from the 0.1 percent growth of 2014.

Meanwhile, unemployment for the region is projected at 5.2 percent this year, compared to 5.6 percent in 2014.

Value of single-family residential building permits is projected to grow 3.5 percent this year, a marked improvement from the 3.9 percent decline in 2014, chief economist Greg Grootendorst said. The report said the regional figures showed 3.3 percent growth in auto and truck sales for 2015, following 3.8 percent increase in 2014.

“The Hampton Roads economy has been struggling to recover from the great recession, a struggle which started over seven years ago,” Grootendorst said. “Over the past year, the region has managed to make some headway fighting agai...