Eastern
New Hanover commissioners remove member from board
May 21, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted to remove commissioner Brian Berger from his post, the first time an amotion hearing has been used successfully to remove an elected official in North Carolina in nearly 100 years. Other commissioners cited threatening texts and emails to staff as well as his poor attendance record and legal troubles in their decision.
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.
Costs of procedures vary widely at Wilmington hospitals
May 24, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
The costs of 100 common procedures vary greatly at Wilmington region hospitals and apparently with little rationale behind the discrepancies, according to new data released based on Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements.
Wilmington population continues to grow
May 24, 2013
(Greater Wilmington Business Journal)
Wilmington's population grew by 3.2% to 109,922 from 2010 to 2012, helping it remain the state's eighth-largest city, according to the most recent U.S. Census data.
UNCW hires new entrepreneurship center director
May 24, 2013
(Greater Wilmington Business Journal)
University of North Carolina Wilmington named Jim Roberts director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The position has been vacant for about a year.
Wilmington tourism officials predict strong holiday weekend
May 23, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
A stabilizing economy and a good weather forecast have Wilmington tourism officials optimistic about the Memorial Day weekend, with a number of hotels already fully booked.
Bill would allow limited tolls on I-95
May 22, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
The state House passed a bill Tuesday that will allow limited tolls on North Carolina's highways -- permitting them in new lanes but not existing ones. The measure was prompted by proposals to introduce tolls on Interstate 95, which runs through eight counties from the Virginia to South Carolina borders.
State Senate budget takes aim at fuel-efficient vehicles
May 22, 2013
(StarNews, Wilmington)
A provision in the state Senate's proposed budget seeks to raise $1.5 million in the next fiscal year by levying a fee on owners of hybrid and electric vehicles. Electric vehicle owners would owe $100 annually, and hybrid vehicle owners would owe $50.
Greensboro company acquiring Fayetteville mortgage servicer
May 22, 2013
(The Fayetteville Observer)
Greensboro-based Cunningham & Co. acquired Fayetteville-based mortgage servicer Carolina Mortgage Co., giving add three branches to its 14 locations and letting it enter the Fayetteville market.
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.
