Business
Mecklenburg ranks 10th in state for renewable-energy investments
April 18, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association ranked Mecklenburg County 10th for renewable-energy investments between 2007 and 2012. Davidson County led the ranking with more than $130 million, followed by Person and Robeson counties.
Piedmont Natural Gas asks for higher rate
April 18, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte-based Piedmont Natural Gas has asked regulators to approve a request to increase rates this summer to account for higher wholesale prices it's paying.
MetLife incentives could push N.C. over its limit
April 17, 2013
(Associated Press)
A large package of incentives for insurer MetLife to bring two hubs to Charlotte and Cary could cause the state to go over its $15 million incentive limit for the year soon unless rules are relaxed. Otherwise, other companies' payments could be delayed.
CaroMont Health fires CEO
April 17, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Gastonia-based CaroMont Health fired CEO Randall Kelley on Tuesday amid complaints about his management decisions and a new "cheat death" slogan that it later retracted. Kelley was hired in January 2012.
Fort Bragg's guest lodging to be privatized
April 17, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Fort Bragg's guest lodging is expected to see $60 million in improvements in the next eight years as the post prepares to privatize the accommodations. InterContinental Hotel Group, which operates brands such as Holiday Inn, will take over.
Workers rally as Freightliner union contract nears expiration
April 17, 2013
(The Salisbury Post)
Several hundred workers rallied at Freightliner's Cleveland plant Tuesday as its union contract prepares to expire Friday. The union wants an increase in its guaranteed-build rate.
Charlotte downtown office tower sold for $245M
April 17, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Real-estate investment firms Starwood Capital Group and Vision Equities bought One Wells Fargo tower in downtown Charlotte for $245 million from Childress Klein. It once housed Wachovia Corp.'s headquarters.
Cleveland commissioners want U.S. 74 widened
April 17, 2013
(The Star, Shelby)
Cleveland County commissioners want the N.C. Department of Transportation to study widening U.S. 74, a measure some oppose because they fear it will further delay plans for a bypass along the road.
Bank of Commerce posts profit
April 17, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte-based Bank of Commerce reported first-quarter profit rose 48% to $69 million. The bank's loans grew 3% to $92 million.
Lawmakers weigh raising interest rates for consumer loans
April 16, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
A bill introduced in the state Senate would allow consumer-lending companies to raise the amount they can loan out from $10,000 to $15,000 and also hike the interest rate on higher-dollar loans. The industry points out that it also would lower rates in some cases.
