RALEIGH—Gov. Bev Perdue announced today that the U.S. Department of the Interior is moving ahead to designate sites off of North Carolina’s coast for development of offshore wind energy. In working with Gov. Perdue and the N.C. Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force, the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has identified three potential areas for commercial offshore wind energy off North Carolina’s coast. A formal announcement is being published in the Federal Register, titled: “Commercial Leasing for Wind Power on …
Busco Beach in Goldsboro named ATVA National Extreme Dirt Track of the Year
All-Terrain Vehicle Association has named Busco Beach in Goldsboro the 2012 ATVA National Extreme Dirt Track of the Year. Racers, promoters and members of the racing community gathered to vote on the 2012 winner, which was announced at an awards banquet last month. Eight contending tracks competed for the prestigious award but Busco Beach walked away with the esteemed honor – for the second year in a row. This past Labor Day weekend, the staff of Busco Beach hosted a …
Surveys, Industry, Marketing & Travel Trends
Study: Music tempo key to tourism commercial effectiveness – Tourism organizations produce commercials with fast-tempo music to gain the audience’s attention and increase message recall, according to a recently published study. Researchers at Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management reported that as fast-tempo music demands more processing resources, advertisers compensate by including fewer scenes. They suggest that marketing organizations are “walking on the edge by striking a delicate balance between aural and visual information load.” The …
Forbes Once Again Ranks North Carolina one of the Best States for Business
For the third year running, North Carolina has ranked in the top 4 states on the influential Forbes’ Best States for Business list, published today (December 12, 2012). In the full report on Best States for Business and Careers, North Carolina earned an overall ranking of No. 4, also ranking especially high on the following sub-factors that contribute to the overall rankings: No. 2 Best Business Costs No. 3 Best Regulatory Environment No. 3 Best Labor Supply Governor Bev Perdue’s …
Aircraft Component Maintenance and Repair Company to Locate in Union County, N.C.
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, …
N.C. airports contribute $26 billion to state’s economy
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. …
Thursday Open Line
It’s the height of the shopping season, and people jamming the malls with their gift lists in hand are rediscovering one of the lesser aspects of the season — finding a place to park. When the mall lots and garages end up being full, many shoppers will turn to nearby commercial lots and garages. The first city parking garage in the U.S. opened on December 5, 1941, in Welch, West Virginia. It could handle 232 cars and showed a profit …
Butterfield Sends Letters to OMB and CDC, Urging Protection of Minority Health Programs
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) joined more than 40 colleagues today to send letters to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging the protection of critical federal programs that address ethnic and racial health disparities. Such programs as the Area Health Education Centers and the Health Careers Opportunity Program remain vital to minority and underserved communities, but face significant budget cuts regardless of whether sequestration occurs. …
Vance County Board of Education Committee Meetings
Vance County Board of Education Committee Meeting Dates: * Building & Grounds, Thursday, December 13th, 8:30 am * Curriculum, Thursday, December 13th, 9:30 am Note: All meetings are held in the Superintendent’s Conference Room.
Henderson City Council Approves Voluntary Water Conservation Measures To Begin
Recommendations to conserve water are: Use dishwashers only when they are full. Washing dishes by hand (don’t let the tap run!) saves about twenty-five (25) gallons. Adjust water level on clothes washing machines, if possible. Use full load only, of not adjustable. Turn off faucets while brushing teeth, etc. saves about five (5) gallons per day. Reduce water used per flush by installing toilet tank displacement inserts. A plastic jug may often be used as an alternative. DO NOT USE …
NC Students Among Highest Achievers On International Math Assessments
North Carolina was the only participating state in the country and one of only eight education systems across the world in which fourth grade math students outscored the test average and U.S. national average on the 2011 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) according to a report released today by the National Center for Education Statistics. At the eighth grade level, North Carolina was among only 11 states and countries to score higher than both the TIMSS scale …
Belk adds 150 jobs in Charlotte as e-sales flourish
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 …
Wednesday Open Line
Poinsettias, with their contrast of brilliant red against green, are an established part of the color and tradition of the holidays. But many may be unaware that they are named for a real person — Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, honored on this day, the anniversary of his death. He was a U.S. diplomat who developed his lasting legacy and symbol of Christmas from a flower he found while stationed in Mexico in the early 19th century. Poinsett also represented South …
Attorney General Roy Cooper Alert: Scammers on the move
Some con artists work and travel in organized groups. These “travelers” descend on an area, scam as many local residents as possible, and move on. Groups of scammers from South Carolina and Virginia often travel through North Carolina on their way back home for the holidays. The travelers usually begin their con by knocking on your door, offering to pave your driveway, fix your roof, paint your home, or make other repairs. In most cases, their repairs are unnecessary, overpriced …
Butterfield Applauds Savings Generated by Health Care Law in North Carolina
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Health Human Services that savings generated by the Affordable Care Act reached $5.1 billion. In North Carolina, Medicare beneficiaries have saved $149 million because of expanded Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole.” Between January and October alone, 80,000 North Carolinians saved an average $640 on prescription drugs costs. During the same period, about 905,000 people with original Medicare in …
Tuesday Open Line
All across the country, the winter darkness is ablaze with colorful lights — from small towns to big cities, along streets and in storefronts, as well as private homes. Some neighborhoods have such massive annual displays they draw people from miles away. While the exact time and place of the first outdoor holiday lights is not known, one of the first occurred in Denver in 1914 when an electrician named David Sturgeon dipped light bulbs in colored paint to light …
White House Weekly Address: Congress Must Extend the Middle Class Tax Cuts
President Obama urges Congress to extend the middle class income tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans and 97 percent of small businesses without delay, making it clear that a balanced approach to deficit reduction means that Republicans in Congress must agree to ask the wealthiest Americans to pay higher tax rates. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President visited a toy factory, hosted Kennedy Center Honorees, …
Monday Open Line
On this date 85 years ago, country music and radio joined together to create one of the most successful pop culture forces in entertainment history. The occasion was the first broadcast of the “Grand Ole Opry” on WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. At the time, some of Nashville’s civic leaders worried that the show’s sound would project the wrong image for the city, which, of course, long ago became the nation’s capital of country music, and remains so to this day. …
Vance County Board of Education Meeting Monday, December 10th, 2012
I. Call to Order II. Moment of Silence * III. Approval of Minutes IV. Recognitions/Announcements V. Oath of Office Emeron J. Cash, Dorothy M. Williams, Edward B. Wilson * VI. Reorganization of Board * VII. Approval of Meeting Agenda VIII. Comments from the Public (Citizens who would like to address the Board may do so by completing Form BDDH-E, Public Participation at Board Meetings. This …
Henderson City Council Meeting Monday, December 10th, 2012
Henderson City Council Regular Meeting will occur Monday, 10 December 2012 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536 Download the full agenda packet here: 20121210_coh_agenda_packet