Charlotte
State treasurer concerned about possible Charlotte airport transfer
April 18, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
State Treasurer Janet Cowell, a Democrat, said she is concerned a proposal to take Charlotte's airport from city control and establish an independent airport authority will result in prolonged litigation over the transfer of its debt. Republican supporters of the bill say those concerns are unfounded.
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.
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.
Doctors push for Caromont's CEO to step down
April 16, 2013
(The Gaston Gazette)
Two veteran Gastonia physicians are criticizing management at CaroMont Regional Medical Center for inadequate staffing that they say is hurting patients and want its CEO to step down. The hospital also came under fire recently for unveiling a "cheat death" slogan that it retracted just days later.
Pharmaceutical company buying former Broyhill headquarters
April 16, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Exela Pharma Sciences will buy the former Broyhill Furniture headquarters in Lenoir, investing $8.5 million in the 140,000-square-foot building and 43-acre site and hiring 42 more workers. It will include space for labs, manufacturing and warehouses.
Babcock & Wilcox signs licensing agreement for modular reactors
April 16, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte-based Babcock & Wilcox signed an agreement with the Department of Energy worth at least $150 million over five years that will help it develop and license its modular reactor technology.
Southwest starts flights from Charlotte airport
April 16, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Discount carrier Southwest Airlines launched its service from Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Monday, raising hopes of lower airfares in the city. Southwest will operate six flights a day to locations such as Chicago and Baltimore.
Lowe's CEO gets 4% pay boost in 2012
April 16, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Lowe's CEO Robert Niblock's pay rose 4% in 2012 to more than $12.1 million. The Mooresville home-improvement store leader saw his compensation rise in each category except stock award.
Court: Utility commission needs to reassess Duke rate hike
April 15, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
The N.C. Supreme Court ruled that the state utilities commission needs to take another look at its decision to allow Duke Energy to raise rates by 7% for its customers in North Carolina. The court said the commission did not properly assess the impact the increase would have on consumers.
Growth creates conflict in Harrisburg
April 15, 2013
(The Independent Tribune, Concord)
A proposed 322-home subdivision in Harrisburg, a fast-growing suburb northeast of Charlotte, illustrates the conflict between more rural parts of the town and increasing urban interests.
Charlotte airport wants to open business complex
April 15, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport's executive director wants to open a business complex near the airport aimed at attracting international businesses. There is no proposed date to start the project.
South Charlotte housing market should benefit from MetLife decision
April 12, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Insurance giant MetLife's decision to open an office that will hire 1,380 workers in Ballantyne Corporate Park in south Charlotte is expected to help home sales near the business park.MetLife is establishing a retail hub in the city.
Two sentenced in $37M Charlotte mortgage fraud
April 12, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Two defendants were sentenced to more than five years in prison each for their roles in a $37 million mortgage fraud that targeted home buyers in the Charlotte area.
Tensions rise between Charlotte, regional neighbors over airport bill
April 12, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Some Charlotte leaders are angry because nearby counties are supporting an effort to take Charlotte Douglas International Airport from city control and establish an independent authority to run the airport. Several officials questioned if Charlotte should support regional efforts such as toll roads for its neighbors.
