Charlotte
Rucho quits leadership post after tax spat
June 14, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
State Sen. Bob Rucho, a Republican from Matthews, resigned as co-chairman of the powerful Finance Committee after his proposed tax-reform bill did not meet with favor from other leaders. Rucho wants to add a sales tax to food and prescription drugs, a more aggressive proposal than that backed by the state House and Gov. Pat McCrory.
DNC review finds faults with airport, communications
June 12, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A federal report reviewing last year's Democratic National Convention in Charlotte gave the city high marks for security but faulted poor planning at the airport for creating bottlenecks at times and occasional lapses in communication.
Senate committee OKs Fox for transportation secretary
June 11, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
The Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to be the next secretary of the federal Department of Transportation, a final move before he goes before the full Senate for what is expected to be an easy confirmation.
Obama visits Mooresville
June 7, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
President Barack Obama visited Mooresville Middle School on Thursday, outlining his plans for every school in the U.S. to have high-speed and broadband Internet access within five years.
Foxx nomination could move forward next week
June 7, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Transportation and Science will begin working on President Obama's nomination of Charlotte Major Anthony Foxx as transportation secretary on Monday.
Lawsuit over airport has precedent
June 7, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
State Sen. Dan Clodfelter of Mecklenburg County says legal action could block the General Assembly's attempt to turn control of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport over to a regional authority.
Obama to unveil Internet access initiative in Mooresville
June 7, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
President Obama will visit Mooresville Middle School on Thursday and unveil a plan to bring high-speed Internet to nearly every school in the country. The Mooresville school is known for its technology initiatives.
Hagan's Senate seat seen as prime 2014 target
June 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Republicans in North Carolina are eyeing freshman Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan's U.S. Senate seat as ripe for the taking in 2014. The state is seen as a battleground that could have national implications over which party controls the Senate.
Tillis expected to announce candidacy for U.S. Senate
May 31, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Cornelius Republican Thom Tillis, the state House speaker, is expected to announce his candidacy for the U.S. Senate as Kay Hagan prepares for a tough re-election battle next year. A super PAC has already formed to help him with fundraising.
Duke Energy names new CEO
June 19, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte-based Duke Energy will promote Lynn Good from chief financial officer to CEO, effective July 1. She will take over the job from Jim Rogers, who will remain chairman until he retires at the end of the year.
VA eyes site for second Charlotte medical complex
June 19, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is considering a west Charlotte site for a second medical complex in the city and is taking bids from potential contractors for the project, which is expected to open in 2015.
Mooresville manufacturer adding jobs
June 19, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Mooresville-based IOMAX USA Inc., which makes surveillance equipment for crop-duster planes that it sells to the U.S. government, will expand its headquarters, adding 35 to its local workforce of 65. Average annual wage will be $64,970.
Lowe's plans to acquire West Coast hardware chain
June 18, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Mooresville-based home-improvement retailer Lowe's has made a $205 million bid to acquire at least 60 of San Jose, Calif.-based Orchard Supply Hardware's 91 stores. The Sears spinoff filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and its real estate would help Lowe's gain a better foothold in the recovering California market.
Piper Jaffray purchasing Charlotte investment bank
June 18, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Minnesota-based investment bank Piper Jaffray will purchase Charlotte-based middle-market investment bank Edgeview Partners for an undisclosed amount. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter.
Cramer Mountain Country Club faces uncertain future
June 18, 2013
(The Gaston Gazette)
The Cramer Mountain Country Club near Gastonia is officially out of foreclosure and on the market, but it faces a rocky road to a potential sale. Its sister property and eatery, The City Club, is also up for sale.
Publix may be planning Cornelius store
June 18, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Florida grocer Publix is planning a Cornelis grocery store, according to several merchants who say they will be displaced by the project. The chain is aggressively expanding into the Charlotte market, with two stores already in the works and two opened in nearby South Carolina.
Pepsi bottler acquiring five-county Charlotte rights
June 18, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Raleigh-based Pepsi Bottling Ventures has closed its deal that will give it five Charlotte region counties, including Mecklenburg, in exchange for 11 counties in Vermont and 18 in Idaho. What changes the 200 acquired employees will see is still unclear.
Cleveland commissioners consider incentives for unnamed company
June 17, 2013
(The Star, Shelby)
Cleveland County commissioners are considering awarding incentives worth $4.9 million to an unnamed Kentucky company that could bring 94 jobs to the county.
F&M Bank names new CEO
June 17, 2013
(The Salisbury Post)
F&M Bank named J. Steven Fisher CEO, promoting him from president and chief operating officer. Paul Fisher will remain CEO and chairman of parent company F&M Financial Corp.
North Carolina outpaces nation for foreclosures
June 14, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Foreclosures in North Carolina rose about 60% between April and May, outpacing the national average of just 2.3%, according to research firm RealtyTrac. Some analysts say banks are more willing to go into the final stages of foreclosure now because the housing market is improving.
