Business
UNCW hires new entrepreneurship center director
May 24, 2013
(Greater Wilmington Business Journal)
University of North Carolina Wilmington named Jim Roberts director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The position has been vacant for about a year.
Charlotte foreclosure rate drops
May 24, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte's foreclosure rate fell to 2.6% in March, an improvement from 3.4% the same month a year ago, according to CoreLogic. That rate is better than the national rate of 2.8% but worse than North Carolina's, which was about 2%.
Lowe's CEO: Company will give employees more hours, increase inventory
May 23, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Robert Niblock, CEO of Mooresville-based Lowe's, said the home-improvement store chain will add more employee hours and increase inventory of high-selling items after cutting back too much during the recession. The retailer reported lower sales during the first quarter even though its profit rose.
MedWest health system weighs its future
May 23, 2013
(Smoky Mountain Times)
MedWest health system, a collection of three hospitals in Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties, is exploring a possible sale to a larger health system as it seeks a cash infusion to shore up its struggling balance sheet.
RTP office park up for auction
May 23, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
GE Asset Management will auction off its 70-acre office park within Research Triangle Park next month. It originally paid $65 million for the site, which is now only 10% leased, but is considered key in redevelopment efforts for RTP.
Wilmington tourism officials predict strong holiday weekend
May 23, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
A stabilizing economy and a good weather forecast have Wilmington tourism officials optimistic about the Memorial Day weekend, with a number of hotels already fully booked.
JPMorgan Chase grows Charlotte presence
May 23, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
New York-based banking giant JPMorgan Chase has grown its presence in Charlotte during the past year, though it's still small -- just 14 bankers. The Charlotte office is catering to companies that make $20 million to $500 million in annual revenue.
Bill to raise Haywood County lodging tax dies in legislature
May 23, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
Despite widespread support from locally elected officials, a bill that would have raised Haywood County's lodging tax to help pay for tourism initiatives died in the General Assembly. Though supported by many, a faction of Maggie Valley motel owners were against the proposal.
Greensboro company buys Orlando apartments for $48M
May 23, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
Greensboro-based Bell Partners acquired a 310-unit apartment complex in Orlando adjacent to Universal Studios for $48 million.
Fresh Market names new CFO
May 23, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
Greensboro-based specialty grocer Fresh Market named Jeffrey Ackerman its new chief financial officer, effective June 3. He previously was CFO of mattress maker Sealy Corp.
