Business
WNC economy grows slowly in first quarter
May 13, 2013
(The Watauga Democrat)
Western North Carolina's economy grew just 0.4% in the first quarter as the unemployment rate improved but job creation slowed.
Park Sterling bank seeks to grow again
May 13, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte-based Park Sterling bank is once again looking for strategic acquisitions to help it grow after closing its purchase of Gastonia-based Citizens South Banking last year.
Drone use increases for Fort Bragg training
May 13, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Soldiers at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville are increasingly training using drones to prepare them for war. That comes as applications for drones have increased to include police, firefighters and universities.
Asheville mall to be converted to outlet center
May 13, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Asheville's Biltmore Square Mall will be converted into a 325,000-square-foot outlet center by 2014 with the help of a Massachusetts developer.
Charlotte manager seeks to rebrand streetcar
May 13, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte's new city manager wants to help revive a plan for a 2.5-mile streetcar extension by rebranding it and seeking options to finance it that don't include raising property taxes.
Carolinas HealthCare, Aetna deal puts focus on quality of care
May 13, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A recent deal between insurer Aetna and Charlotte-based Carolinas HealthCare System rewards the health system for improving the quality of care patients, particularly those with chronic illnesses, receive. It comes as insurers are pushing back against the traditional fee-for-service model.
Senate passes bill to make hospital bills more transparent
May 10, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
The state Senate passed a bill that would require hospitals to post the prices for 100 common procedures online. The bill also would mandate that hospitals list how much large insurers, Medicaid, Medicare and the uninsured pay for the procedures.
Quintiles has strong first day of trading
May 10, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Pharmaceutical-services giant Quintiles posted a 5% gain at closing on its first day trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Durham-based company raised about $950 million.
Reynolds American to expand e-cigarattes production
May 10, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
Reynolds American says it plans to expand its production of electronic cigarettes after testing the product in limited markets.
Developer plans to invest $150M in downtown Winston-Salem
May 10, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
Developer Wexford Science & Technology plans to make a second major investment -- $150 million -- in downtown Winston-Salem as it continues investment in its research campus as well as in retail and housing projects.
