Charlotte
Controversial toll roads and bridge get surprise victory
May 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Two controversial toll roads -- the Garden Parkway near Charlotte and the Cape Fear Skyway near Wilmington -- as well as the proposed Mid-Currituck Bridge got a surprise victory when the projects were added as an amendment to Gov. Pat McCrory's transportation bill by legislators.
Charlotte plans to demolish Eastland Mall
May 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte officials plan to demolish Eastland Mall, a once bustling retail development in the eastern part of the city, as part of its redevelopment plan, which could include movie studios.
Kewauanee Scientific names new CEO
May 3, 2013
(Statesville Record & Landmark)
Statesville-based Kewaunee Scientific, a maker of lab furniture, said CEO Bill Shumaker will step down after 14 years at the helm. Chief Operating Officer David Rausch will take over, effective July 1.
Charlotte will be home to ESPN's Southeastern Conference Network
May 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte will be the home of the SEC Network, set to launch in August 2014. The channel will feature 1,000 live events from the Southeastern Conference annually.
Duke's Rogers defends rake hikes, clean energy at annual meeting
May 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers, in his last annual meeting leading the nation's largest utility, defended the state's clean-energy mandate as well as the company's recent rate hike, which the state Supreme Court kicked back to the N.C. Utilities Committee.
Charlotte airport director not disciplined despite comments
May 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Charlotte airport director Jerry Orr reiterated his support Thursday for an independent authority to govern the airport and said he hasn't been disciplined by his publicly elected bosses for his comments. Charlotte City Council members oppose the transfer of the airport from city control.
Harris Teeter sales, profit rise, but no word on sale
May 3, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Matthews-based grocer Harris Teeter reported second-quarter sales rose 4.3% and profits were up 8% but didn't reveal any information about a possible sale. The company retained J.P. Morgan earlier this year to explore the possibility.
Building permits rise in Cabarrus County
May 3, 2013
(The Independent Tribune, Concord)
Single-family home permits rose to their highest levels since 2008 in Cabarrus County in April, reflecting a rebounding market. The numbers still fall short of their pre-recession highs.
Obama nominates Charlotte representative to head FHFA
May 2, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
President Obama nominated U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, a Democrat serving Charlotte for 20 years, to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which regulates Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Watt is a longtime member of the House Financial Services Committee, though his confirmation by the Senate is not assured.
U.S. Airways seeks influence at Charlotte airport as lease nears expiration
May 2, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
U.S. Airways, the largest carrier at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, wants a seat at the table to help pick the airport's next director, an individual who will be in charge of renegotiating a master lease that expires in 2016.
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.
