Charlotte
Group aims to help Charlotte's black business leaders
April 8, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Leadership group Access Charlotte is aiming to cultivate more black leaders and entrepreneurs and give them the tools to climb the corporate ranks.
Belk sales improve in 2012
April 8, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Department-store chain Belk's sales rose 7% in 2012 compared to the year before, mostly attributed to better online sales and an extra week in the fiscal year.
Bill proposes remediation before foreclosure
April 5, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A bill introduced by a Tarboro Democrat would require formal remediation before lenders could foreclose on a homeowner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Judge to consider $2.4B BofA settlement over Merrill acquisition
April 4, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A New York judge will consider Friday a $2.4 billion settlement between Charlotte-based Bank of America and shareholders over its 2008 purchase of Merrill Lynch. Shareholders said the company did not properly disclose information about Merrill's financial health before a vote was taken.
North State shareholder reject sale proposal
April 4, 2013
(The High Point Enterprise)
Shareholders of High Point-based Old North State rejected a proposal from dissident members that the telecommunications company consider selling itself. The results were announced during its annual meeting.
Downtown Salisbury leader leaving post
April 4, 2013
(The Salisbury Post)
Downtown Salisbury Inc.Executive Director Randy Hemann will leave his post to become city manager of Oxford, effective April 30.
Labor secretary pushes minimum-wage increase in Charlotte visit
April 4, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Seth Harris, the acting U.S. secretary of labor, visited Charlotte to pitch the Obama administration's proposal that minimum wage be raised to $9 an hour. That would increase a yearly wage by $3,500 and help 557,000 workers in North Carolina.
Charlotte airport hopes to buy city neighborhood
April 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport wants to buy 370 acres of a nearby neighborhood for $35 million for future expansion projects. Several in the neighborhood have sued the city over the airport's noise.
Park Sterling suit illustrates security problems facing banks
April 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A suit Charlotte-based Park Sterling Bank filed against Wallace & Pittman PLLC over an illegal wire transfer worth more than $336,000 shows how banks are increasingly being targeted in online phishing scams. The companies are disputing which should be responsible for the loss.
German toymaker bringing North American headquarters to Charlotte
April 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
German toymaker will relocate its Schleich North America Inc.'s North American headquarters from Canada to Charlotte. It will employ more than 60 at headquarters and a distribution center.
Bill to transfer Charlotte airport to authority slows in committee
April 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
A bill that would transfer Charlotte Douglas International Airport from city control to an independent authority slowed Tuesday as a key sponsor in the state House said he would wait for a study on the issue to be completed by a consultant hired by Charlotte officials.
Novant Health profit soars in 2012
April 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Winston-Salem-based Novant Health recorded a $274 million profit in 2012, up from just $1 million the year before. Part of the reason for the large gain was an improvement in investment income.
Harris Teeter reclaims No. 1 spot in Charlotte
April 2, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Matthews-based Harris Teeter has reclaimed its spot as the top grocer in Charlotte, with 23.7% market share a year after it fell behind Walmart. A store swap with Lowes Foods last year helped it boost its standing, according to sales-tracking firm Chain Store Guide.
Statesville mall seeks a comeback
April 2, 2013
(Statesville Record & Landmark)
Signal Hill Mall in Statesville, a modern structure in the 1970s when it was built off Interstate 77, has fallen on tough times, and its developers are seeking a reboot.
Legislature's policies target cities
April 1, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Several GOP-led measures in the state legislature this year have sought to strip power from cities, reflecting the party's belief that municipalities are overreaching their power. It also shows how the Democratic core of urban areas have fallen after Democrats lost power in 2010.
