Recent Posts
Local companies feel IT-talent pinch
By Debbie Griffin. The North Carolina Technology Association recently released numbers on tech-job trends that demonstrate a challenge most businesses face today: Recruit top talent to meet growing information-technology demands, whatever they may be within a company. Joy Ugi is a marketing consultant for AMTdirect, provider of a lease-accounting software solution. “The tech-job boom has […]
Visit LKN announces hospitality awards
Visit Lake Norman recently announced the winners of the 6th Annual Making Waves Hospitality Awards at an awards luncheon at Rural Hill, one of the top tourism destinations in North Mecklenburg. The winners pictured are: Erik Turnblom, Lake Norman Soccer Club Jon Dressler, Dressler’s Restaurant Mariano Doble, owner of Davidson Village Inn Akeem Mack, Homewood Suites […]
High-end properties have more wiggle room in value
By Dave Yochum. Residential property values in Mecklenburg County have soared, and the tax assessor has the numbers to prove it. But that’s true only up to a point, especially for high-end and luxury real estate. The experts are saying there is room to appeal if your new assessment is about 40 percent above your […]
Commercial property values hurtle upward in Meck County
By Debbie Griffin. Valuations of some Mecklenburg County commercial properties have soared—some considerably more than the average of 77 percent for commercial property, which includes apartments. The median increase for residential properties is 43 percent. Some new valuations are at or near doubling from prior valuations: • Publix at Magnolia Plaza: $22.3 million from $11.97 […]
Fresh Chef, launched in 2014, could employ 200 by year end
By Dave Vieser. Mel Funk and Brad Blumer, co-owners of the Fresh Chef restaurants, seem to have hit their stride with a restaurant concept that features fresh entrees for the casual diner. What started out in a single storefront in a strip mall is tripling in total size this year, with several new locations on the […]
I-77 advisors express frustration over lack of progress
Feb. 25. By Dave Vieser. Frustrated members of the I-77 Local Advisory Group voiced their concerns loud and clear at the conclusion of their 90 minute meeting with the NCDOT: “Tell us where the obstacles are that are preventing the I 77 toll lane contract from being canceled.” The meeting was billed as an update […]
BestCo will add 141 new jobs in Mooresville
Feb. 20. BestCo, a developer and manufacturer of consumer healthcare products, will invest $47.5 million in its Mooresville operations, creating 141 jobs. BestCo, which began as a confectioner known as Beacon Sweets in New Jersey, is now a leading developer of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter drug products and dietary supplements. The company creates new […]
Lakeshore Marketplace sells for $3.55 million
Feb. 18. A Cornelius retail landmark at 19501 W. Catawba has sold for $3.55 million. Known as the Lakeshore Marketplace, the mid-1980s strip shopping center has almost 30,000 square feet of space in two buildings. For a few years it was painted in colorful coastal hues, a la Rainbow Row in Charleston. The buyer was Arroyo […]
The Red Line is the Dead Line
By Dave Vieser. For well over a decade, transportation and planning officials have been hoping that a commuter rail line to North Mecklenburg and southern Iredell would become a reality. Mixed-use developments such as Antiquity in Cornelius and Bryton Town Center in Huntersville were built with the expectation that commuter rail would eventually whisk workers […]
Is N. Meck Alliance a ‘supper party with no supper?’
By Dave Vieser. Analysis. It sounded good in theory: Create a regional transportation alliance for Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson. Officials in both Cornelius and Huntersville liked the idea, so back in 2017 they withdrew their funding and membership in the Lake Norman Regional Transportation Commission (LNTC) to formally establish a new transportation group, known as the […]
