Business
Survey: Small businesses more optimistic about economy
April 5, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Small and midsized businesses are more optimistic about the economy but are still reluctant to hire, according to a PNC Financial Services Group survey. Only 15% expect to hire more full-time workers in the next six months, while 30% are optimistic about their prospects in the same period.
Bill would close electronic-cigarettes loophole
April 5, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
A bill introduced in the state Senate would close a loophole that allows minors to buy electronic cigarettes. Greensboro-based Lorillard and Winston-Salem-based Reynolds American both sell those types of products.
New Bern golf course to undergo renovations
April 5, 2013
(Sun Journal, New Bern)
Emerald Golf Course in New Bern will undergo renovations this summer for eight weeks to replace the course's grass. The course was designed by Rees Jones and opened in 1988.
Housing permits continue to rise in Wilmington
April 5, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
Residential construction permits rose 20% in March compared with the year before in New Hanover County as the market for homes continues to rebound.
Southwest Airlines starts Charlotte flights next week
April 5, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines will start offering flights at Charlotte Douglas International Airport next week. It will take over for AirTran, which it acquired in 2010.
McCrory proposes managed care model for Medicaid
April 4, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Gov. Pat McCrory unveiled a proposal to overhaul the state's Medicaid program by turning it over to managed-care companies who would receive a set amount for each patient enrolled. The plan must be approved by the federal government, which picks up the tab for about 60% of the program's costs.
Small-business lending rises $290M in North Carolina
April 4, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
North Carolina banks increased small-business lending by $290.8 million last year, aided by a federal program designed to boost loans to that sector.
Rehab hospital to merge with Mission Health
April 4, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
CarePartners Health Services, an Asheville rehabilitation hospital and home health-care provider, will merge with Mission Health, though it will keep its board and name.
Manufacturer may fall short on Shelby jobs
April 4, 2013
(The Star, Shelby)
German automotive-parts maker KSM Casting may not be able to live up to its promise to create 120 jobs within two years, according to city officials. The company cited "future market uncertainty."
Alliance Bank names new CEO
April 4, 2013
(The Gaston Gazette)
Gastonia-based Alliance Bank & Trust named Don Harrison its CEO and president. He was executive vice president of commercial banking at Asheboro-based CommunityOne Bank but lived in Gastonia since 2004.
