Category: Business

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Midway Aircraft Instrument Corporation, a company that performs maintenance and repairs on aircraft systems components, will locate a new facility in Union County. The company plans to create 36 jobs and invest $2.3 million over the next three years in Monroe. The project was made possible in part by a $12,500 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “My first priority is creating jobs,” said Gov. Perdue.  “North Carolina has a skilled, …

North Carolina’s 72 publicly owned airports contribute nearly $26 billion to the state’s economy, representing about 6 percent of all economic activity in the state, according to a report commissioned by the Division of Aviation, part of the N.C. Dept. of Transportation. North Carolina has nine commercial airports and 63 general aviation airports. Charlotte Douglas International Airport had almost $12.5 billion in economic impact, followed by Raleigh-Durham International with about $7.8 billion and Piedmont Triad International with nearly $1.9 billion. …

Charlotte-based retailer Belk Inc., which has been focusing on online sales as a major part of its growth strategy, is adding 150 management-level jobs in IT and e-commerce. The jobs will be based at the company’s headquarters at 2801 W. Tyvola Road, which currently has 1,000 employees. Jobs will be posted in the career section of Belk.com as positions become available, according to the company. Salaries will vary; the company didn’t provide specifics. Belk adds 150 jobs as e-sales flourish …

The Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible” and host/chef Robert Irvine hit Sweet Tea’s in Pineville to film yesterday and today (Wednesday), with the restaurant having its “grand re-opening” tonight. The episode is expected to air late February/early March. The show’s premise: Irvine swoops in for two days with $10,000 to see if he can save “desperate restaurants from impending failure.” Owners David and Dana Cohen have had Sweet Tea’s for three years. According to an associate producer, thousands of restaurants apply …

First Lady Michelle Obama kicked off the holiday season by welcoming the White House Christmas tree, a 19-foot Fraser fir from Ashe County that will be displayed in the Blue Room. With daughters Malia and Sasha, first dog Bo and several others, she welcomed the tree and its growers from Peak Farms in Jefferson. Farm owners Rusty and Beau Estes are this year’s grand champion winners of the National Christmas Tree Association, which has provided the White House tree each …

RALEIGH – Today the Staff of the North Carolina Utilities Commission entered into a Settlement Agreement with Duke Energy and the Public Staff – North Carolina Utilities Commission. If approved by the Commission, the agreement will conclude the Commission’s investigation arising from the termination of William D. Johnson as CEO of Duke on July 2, 2012. Salient provisions of the settlement are: ·         Duke will make several changes in its top management positions, including naming a new General Counsel and …

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that S&D Coffee, a privately-owned manufacturing and distribution company that produces coffee, tea and other beverages, will expand its presence in Concord. The company plans to create 200 jobs over the next five years and invest $97 million. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and the One North Carolina Fund award. “Creating new jobs is my top priority,” said Gov. Perdue, “One of the …

North Carolina is a state that understands manufacturing. That’s not surprising when you consider 19% of the state’s economic output is fueled by this important industry sector. North Carolina’s manufacturing base is large and diverse with many specialized companies. The latest example of North Carolina’s support for businesses that make things is Manufactured in NC – a helpful online tool that makes it much easier to find a North Carolina manufacturer with the right capabilities for any job. With this …

WASHINGTON – As the nation marks Veterans Day 2012, the U.S. Small Business Administration continues to build on its successful programs for America’s military veterans, helping tens of thousands of veterans each year with small business financing, comprehensive business training and counseling and access to federal contracts. “Around Veterans Day, our thoughts turn to the men and women who are currently serving in the Armed Forces, as well as to all veterans who have made sacrifices and served our country over …

See our photo gallery from last night’s Business Summit at VGCC. Thanks to all who attended, and shameless plug, be sure you keep in mind Dataforge and Home in Henderson when you consider your business marketing and website needs!

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Kalo Foods LLC, a baker of gluten-free gourmet food products, will locate its operations in Rockingham County.  The company plans to create 21 jobs and invest nearly $650,000 over three years in Stokesdale. The project was made possible in part by a $70,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “My first priority is creating jobs,” said Gov. Perdue. “Companies come to North Carolina because of our top-ranked business climate, historic investments …

Boosted by the Democratic National Convention, Mecklenburg County hotels generated more revenue in September than any month in at least four years, according to recently released tax receipts. The county’s hotels rang up about $61 million in sales in September, an 82 percent increase compared with the same month in 2011. In the last four years, the previous best month for the lodging industry was in March, when revenue was about $48 million. The convention also affected regional and statewide …

It’s not too late to attend the Business Summit today from 5:30 until 8:30PM at VGCC Civic Center! Limited seating is available! You can register at the door! The odds are good that you may walk away with the iPad that is being given away! Call Rachel Hedrick at 438-8414 or Tanya Weary at 492-2061 for more information! Admission tickets are $15.00 The event will include an insightful and educational agenda with fast-paced, interactive discussions, designed to help businesses understand how …

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue announced Monday that the N.C. Department of Commerce is the recipient of a $945,000 grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration that will help increase exporting by small businesses over the next year.     “One of the ways to strengthen our economy and speed up our recovery efforts is by supporting and growing small and medium sized businesses,” said Gov. Perdue.  “North Carolina’s program to assist small businesses with export opportunities is posting strong …

The CBS program “60 Minutes” examined the decline and slow recovery of manufacturing in Randolph County during a segment titled “The Death and Life of Asheboro, N.C.” Reporter Scott Pelley interviewed business owners, a couple that has survived layoffs, and the proprietor of a pickle company that has begun exporting its products to China. Asheboro business leaders, including N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, discussed their thoughts on the episode during a segment on WFMY – Greensboro. “”I’m very, …

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Nussbaum Lifts, a manufacturer of automotive service equipment, will locate a new facility in Gaston County.  The company plans to create 83 jobs and invest $7.6 million dollars over three years in Gastonia. The project was made possible in part by a $137,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.  “My first priority is creating jobs,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our top-notch business climate continues to attract manufacturers to North Carolina. These companies …

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that North Carolina received $15.2 million in its second round of funding from the U.S. Department of Treasury State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) that makes capital available for small businesses throughout North Carolina.   The SSBCI program, an important component of the Small Business Jobs Act that President Obama signed into law in 2010, funds the North Carolina Capital Access Program (NC-CAP), the North Carolina Loan Participation Program (NC-LPP) and the North Carolina …

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Woodgrain Millwork Inc, a leading producer of wood millwork, will locate a new facility in Caldwell County.  The company plans to create 170 jobs and invest more than $8 million over the next five years in Lenoir. The project was made possible in part by a $635,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. “My top priority is creating jobs,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our investments in education and workforce development programs have …

BB&T, the $179 billion-asset company in Winston-Salem, reported on Oct. 16 that it plans to add roughly 1,700 jobs in back-office, administrative and support functions in Greensboro. The new workers will be among 2,500 personnel BB&T expects to house in a 390,000-square-foot building located near the Piedmont Triad International Airport the company has leased for the next seven years. “The new BB&T Triad Corporate Center allows us to consolidate offices, many of which are nearing capacity, in a central location …

Area Development magazine released today its fall 2012 Top States for Business survey results based on responses from location consultants who work with national client bases. Each consultant was asked to list their top five choices in 14 areas of site selection. Overall, North Carolina ranked fifth, rising from seventh in last year’s study.  In the critical component of overall labor climate, North Carolina ranked second in a tie with neighboring South Carolina. Among the 14 selection factors for which …