Charlotte
Mecklenburg unemployment dips below 9%
May 2, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Mecklenburg County's unemployment rate fell to 8.8% in March, compared to 9.3% the year before, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce. The Charlotte metro's unemployment rate was also 8.8% for the month.
Charlotte a finalist to host 2014 X Games
May 1, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte is among four finalists to win a three-year contract hosting the North American summer X Games starting in 2014. Chicago, Detroit and Austin, Texas, are the other contenders.
Charlotte home prices rise 6.2% in February
May 1, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte home prices rose 6.2% in February compared to the year before, though that was less than the 9.3% average gain among the 20 cities tracked by the Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price index.
Charlotte airport director says he supports authority
April 30, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Longtime Charlotte airport director Jerry Orr broke months of silence Monday, saying he supports an independent airport authority -- a move that caused some Charlotte politicians to call for his dismissal. A bill in the state legislature would take the airport from city control.
Report: More N.C. workers dying on the job
April 30, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A study by workplace safety advocates says three times more workers died on the job last year than reported by the N.C. Department of Labor, mostly because vehicle accidents, workplace violence and fatalities among the self-employed were not counted.
Despite Congressional action, small airport towers may still close
April 30, 2013
(Hickory Daily Record)
Smaller air-traffic control towers such as the one at Hickory Regional Airport may still close despite Congressional action that gives the Federal Aviation Administration more flexibility with its money. The decision last week ends unpopular furloughs of air-traffic controllers.
Italian logistics company coming to Charlotte
April 30, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Italian logistics company Argol America Inc. will bring its North American headquarters to Charlotte, hiring 20 workers.
BNC Bancorp plans exit from bailout program
April 29, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
High Point-based BNC Bancorp has taken out a $30 million loan that will allow it to exit from the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program. The bank says the move will help it save $1 million in dividend payments.
Small banks attracted to posh Charlotte neighborhood
April 29, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Smaller and midsized banks have flocked to Charlotte's posh South Park neighborhood in recent years, reflecting the importance of the area.
Problems ensue as banks hand off mortgage loans
April 29, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Big banks like Charlotte-based Bank of America are increasingly selling their mortgage loans to secondary buyers, increasing headaches for many consumers who complain about poor customer service from the new loan holders and promises that sometimes go broken.
Charlotte-paid study recommends authority for airport
April 26, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A study financed by Charlotte recommended that Charlotte Douglas International Airport's governing structure be converted to an independent authority so that it can be run more like a business and be free of politics. He said state proposals should include several changes, such as a smaller board and a better transition mechanism.
Apartments planned for artsy Charlotte neighborhood
April 26, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Developers are planning four residential projects in Charlotte's NoDa arts district that are expected to add 600 apartments units in the next few years.
Acquisition boosts Park Sterling earnings
April 26, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte-based bank Park Sterling reported a record first-quarter profit of $3.2 million as it was helped by its acquisition of Gastonia-based Citizens South Banking Corp.
Renewable energy law to stay in place
April 25, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
An effort to repeal a landmark law that created standards for the amount of renewable energy that utilities must produce failed after a state House committee voted against the proposal.
MetLife's Charlotte jobs will pay far less than Cary ones
April 25, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Jobs at insurance giant MetLife's planned retail hub in Charlotte will pay about $58,000 on average, much less than the $112,000 average jobs at its planned Cary technology and operations hub will pay.
Charlotte Bobcats fire coach after just one year
April 24, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
The Charlotte Bobcats fired coach Mike Dunlap after just one season at the helm of the struggling NBA team despite the fact that he tripled the team's wins from last season.
Charlotte mayor removes airport advisory chairman
April 24, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx removed controversial airport advisory committee chairman Shawn Dorsch from his post Tuesday, a day after city council members grilled him for his role in supporting that Charlotte's airport be taken from city control and an independent authority established.
Chiquita names new CFO
April 24, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte-based banana giant Chiquita Brands International named Rick Frier chief financial officer. He has 30 years of experience helping manage finances for other companies.
Charlotte business leaders support tax hike for Panthers' upgrades
February 26, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte business leaders have pledged their support to a proposal to raise taxes to help pay for part of the Carolina Panthers' planned $250 million upgrade to Bank of America Stadium.
Chinese firm picks Charlotte for U.S. headquarters
April 23, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Chinese information-technology company Pactera Technology International will bring its U.S. headquarters to Charlotte, adding 200 jobs that pay an average of $100,000. The company already employs 60 in the city.
