Eastern
Senate bill would reverse outdoor smoking bans
May 15, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
A state Senate bill that passed a committee Tuesday would repeal outdoor smoking bans instituted by local officials and community colleges by prohibiting them from enforcing any bans that go further than state laws.
Wilmington struggles with shortage of construction workers
May 20, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
WIlmington and other communities in the state are struggling to find enough skilled construction workers despite the economy, making it particularly tough for smaller residential builders. The shortage is largely attributed to retirements, geographic shifts of workers and less immigration.
Fayetteville coliseum seeks ways to grow
May 20, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Fayetteville's county-controlled Crown Colisuem is considering privatizing as it has struggled with attracting big-name acts and large crowds since opening in 1997. Officials partly blame problems on a transient military population.
Wilmington coffee chain faces more competition from Starbucks
May 17, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
Seattle-based coffee giant Starbucks is opening a sixth store in New Hanover County this week and another one is planned as it seeks inroads against hometown favorite Port City Java, which has 12 stores in the county.
Raeford turkey plant will close this summer
May 17, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
House of Raeford said it will close its turkey processing plant in Raeford in July, laying off 1,060 people, after announcing its plans to shutter the plant earlier this year.
Ammunition manufacturer bringing 150 jobs to Lumberton
May 16, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Ammunition manufacturer Cape Fear Arsenal will open a plant in Lumberton, investing $15.2 million and creating 150 jobs within three years. Average annual wage will be $41,559, higher than Robeson County's average of $26,832.
Commercial development slow at Wrightsville Beach
May 16, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
Development at Wrightsville Beach has slowed during the economic downturn as high property prices make acquiring land and building projects more difficult.
Study favors mitigated tolls to finance I-95 improvements
May 15, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
A study conducted by an Atlanta consultant recommends the Department of Transportation finance $4.5 billion of improvements to Interstate 95 with mitigated tolls that would give local residents a 50% reduction in the cost of the tolls. That plan would raise $5.1 billion through 2050 and add 19,000 jobs annually.
Cape Fear Valley Health faces $20M loss
May 15, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Cape Fear Valley Health System in Fayetteville is facing a $20 million loss to its budget this year -- $8 million because of federal sequestration cuts and $12 million from Medicaid cuts proposed by Gov. Pat McCrory. The nonprofit health system says it is not laying off workers.
Snow Hill company turns sweet potatoes into liquor
May 15, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
Snow Hill-based Covington Spirits is taking sweet potatoes and distilling them into liquor in a bid to wean Americans off their dependence on foreign vodka. The business was born from a need to dispose of leftover spuds.
PPD may not get Wilmington incentives
May 14, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
Wilmington-based contract research organization PPD might not receive the $425,000 in incentives it is eligible to receive from Wilmington and New Hanover County because of not enough employees at its downtown headquarters. The company has until October to report the numbers, but officials have signaled they don't think the target will be met.
Wilmington ideally situated for wind farms
May 13, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
The Wilmington area is home to two of three sites in the state recommended for wind-farm development, but bringing the first wind farm to the U.S. is complicated in terms of policy and logistics.
'Revolution' filming leaving Wilmington
May 13, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
NBC will move filming of its second season of drama Revolution from Wilmington to Austin, Texas. Local crew members had been concerned the show would move because of its constant need for new locations as characters travel across the country.
Drone use increases for Fort Bragg training
May 13, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Soldiers at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville are increasingly training using drones to prepare them for war. That comes as applications for drones have increased to include police, firefighters and universities.
Greenville manufacturer expanding
May 10, 2013
(The Daily Reflector, Greenville)
Auto-parts maker AMSO North America will expand its Greenville plant, investing $50 million and adding 200 jobs by 2016.
McCrory pledges support for offshore drilling
May 10, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
Gov. Pat McCrory has stated his support for offshore drilling in the Atlantic, but any changes in policy would likely be years away.
Fayetteville manager pitches idea to revitalize neighborhoods
May 9, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Fayetteville's city manager has floated an idea to establish a $1 million fund that would help acquire blighted properties and flip them to investors. The plan would aim to help revitalize older neighborhoods.
Wilson home sales rise
May 9, 2013
(The Wilson Times)
Home sales in Wilson County rose 10% from January through April compared to the year before, a sign that optimism is increasing, though many buyers are staying in smaller homes rather than trading up.
Commercial fishermen oppose 'game fish' bill
May 7, 2013
(The Daily News, Jacksonville)
Commercial fishermen spoke out Monday against a proposal in the legislature to give "game fish" status to speckled trout, red drum and striped bass. That would prohibit using anything but fish and line to catch the species, and they would not be allowed to be sold.
Wilmington-filmed 'Iron Man 3' posts huge opening-weekend numbers
May 6, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
Iron Man 3, filmed in Wilmington last year, posted the second-best opening weekend numbers in U.S. history, earning $175.3 million. So far, it has grossed $680.1 million worldwide.
