Durham, N.C. — Durham County on Wednesday implemented a freeze on hiring and purchases to cope with a deficit that could reach $7 million.

Assistant County Manager Deborah Craig-Ray said the $7 million revenue shortfall is a preliminary figure from the county's budget analysts and that officials would have a better estimate after the holidays.

Ray said all out-of-state travel also has been frozen, except for trips that have already been approved and those needed for employees to remain certified in their fields. Also, all raises not previously budgeted have been frozen.

Wake County officials previously said the sluggish economy could cost Wake $17 million, and they asked county departments to cut the budgets by 4 percent.