Business
LKN Transportation Commission blasts NCDOT over I-77 mess
May 13. By Dave Vieser. While the members of the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission did not take any formal action regarding the I-77 toll lane controversy at their meeting tonight in Davidson, there was no lack of criticism for the state DOT on their handling of the project’s contract with Cintra(I77 Mobility Partners), the private […]
Visitor’s bureau honors hospitality businesses
May 5. The Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau honored businesses for outstanding contributions in the area of hospitality. The 2015 “Golden Helmet Award” recipients are: Attraction of the Year – Sea Life Aquarium Hotel of the Year – Great Wolf Lodge Restaurant of the Year – The Smoke Pit Small Business of the Year – Cabarrus Creamery Hospitality Professional […]
No housing bubble in sight
The Charlotte housing market is hot compared to other markets around the country. While the numbers regionally are strong, close-in neighborhoods and those with amenities like greenways and access to rail are the hottest, according to economists and Realtors. The high-end suburbs, where supply is limited, is strong too. “Median sales prices are holding steady […]
Status of incentive programs concerns eco-devo officials
May 8. By Dave Vieser. The shaky status of two corporate incentive grant programs administered through the state have economic development officials concerned about our ability to compete with other areas in attracting new companies. The state Research and Development Tax Credit expires at the end of this year, while the Jobs Development Investment Grant […]
The business of charity: Giving means putting effort in up front
More small businesses are getting involved in charities and non-profits, and some are using micro-events to gain media traction in the event-congested world of doing good. What can go wrong? As it turns out, plenty. Events come and go, and, where dueling charities are involved, an upstart can dilute the clout of an established charity. […]
Clyde Higgs new EVP at Castle & Cooke, Atlantic American; Jeff Austin out at Club at Irish Creek
May 5. In a press release that did not mention Lynne Scott Safrit, billionaire “David H. Murdock, chairman and chief executive officer of Castle & Cooke North Carolina, LLC and builder and founder of the NC Research Campus, has appointed Clyde Higgs to the position of executive vice president of operations and business development for Castle […]
From credit cards to SBA-backed loans, lending is up
By Katie Piccirillo Sherman. When Howard Kaplan bought the Lake Norman Sea Tow franchise in 2006 he made a small down-payment, while the seller financed the rest. Other entrepreneurs use back-pocket financing for start-ups, others use credit cards to smooth out the ebbs and flows of business. The National Small Business Association says about a third […]
Will golfing get out of the rough in 2015?
By John Rehkop. Local golf course operators are looking to create a new, more sustainable model for daily fee golf in the area after a confluence of factors left them in the rough. Golf clubs such as Birkdale and Skybrook in Huntersville were the crown jewels of daily fee golf when they came online in the […]
NACM’s Credit Managers’ Index showed signs of improvement in April
May 4. The April report of the Credit Managers’ Index improved slightly to 53.9, above “contraction territory,” according to the National Association of Credit Management. “It would appear that a collapsed energy sector, winter worries and trepidation regarding dollar values and the interest rate weighed pretty heavily on previous months,” said Chris Kuehl, NACM economist. […]
Internal memo reveals ‘nobody has a clear understanding’ of part of the I-77 contract
May 1. Internal communications at Cornelius Town Hall say “it appears nobody has a clear understanding” of a key component in the 50-year contract with a Spanish company. Local leaders on a state level are expressing concerns about the $655 million plan but it is unclear if they will affect the “financial close” with Cintra in […]
