Tomorrow marks the birth in 1882 of a man who ended up being called “The father of the space age” — Robert Goddard. He was just 17 when he climbed a tree to think about his future and decided to dedicate his life to developing rockets and space travel. This when America moved by horse and buggy and steam engine. Goddard’s work led to the first liquid-fueled rocket launch in 1926 and, later on, the development of solid propellants. Space …
Vance County Schools Seeking Business Partnerships
The Vance County Board of Education hopes to begin a new initiative that will further build a positive relationship with the business community. By partnering with Vance County businesses, we seek to enhance the educational experience of all Vance County children by demonstrating the importance of a strong relationship between the school system and the business community. In particular, the Board of Education’s goal is to strengthen every student’s opportunity for success by reinforcing the critical bond that is needed …
Lenovo to open computer manufacturing line in N.C.
Governor Bev Perdue and Lenovo, the world’s second-largest personal computer vendor, announced today (Oct. 2) the company will build a U.S. personal computer manufacturing line in Whitsett, near Greensboro. The announcement defies a trend that has seen electronics manufacturing jobs migrate overseas for more than two decades. As part of the expansion, Lenovo will create 115 new manufacturing jobs where workers will build both Think-branded notebook and desktop PCs for sale to domestic business, government and education customers, as well …
Building materials manufacturer CertainTeed holds ribbon-cutting in Roxboro
CertainTeed Corporation, a leading North American manufacturer of building materials, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 25 at its new Roxboro facility. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Vivian Powell was the original developer on this project. Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco spoke at the event, which also included CertainTeed President and CEO John Crowe. “Our tremendous workforce in this area is a big factor, as well as our low costs of doing business in North Carolina,” Crisco said. “We must continue to …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Beware of calls from phony drug agents
We’ve warned you before about calls or computer pop ups from phony law enforcement or government officials, where scammers use the threat of legal action or even arrest to try to get you to pay them money. In the latest version of this scam, the callers claim to be agents with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The phony agents claim that you purchased medications online illegally and owe hundreds or thousands of dollars …
Honda Aircraft holds groundbreaking of PTI facility
Honda Aircraft held a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 27 for its new facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport. N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco joined Honda CEO Michimasa Fujino, Vice President Tony Piazza, Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins, and others at the event. “Nothing is as impressive in our state’s history than the invention of flight and the innovation of Wilbur and Orville Wright,” said Crisco. “That brings us forward to this day and the innovation of Honda Aircraft and …
Semprius holds grand opening in Henderson
Solar power innovator Semprius held a grand opening Sept. 26 for its new pilot production plant in Henderson. The project was made possible in part by state grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and One North Carolina Grant programs. To meet the targets established in these performance-based grants, the company plans to create 256 jobs over five years and make a capital investment of $89.7 million in Henderson. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Bernard Torain was the original developer …
State Tourism Office Links Visitors to Fall Color, Fishing
RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 2, 2012) — With fall unfolding like magic, the North Carolina Division of Tourism is tapping the interactive power of social media to keep travelers connected to the landscape’s most vibrant foliage and the coast’s most bountiful fishing. Followers of VisitNC.com on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram can post and view current foliage photos from lofty Blue Ridge Mountain overlooks and rolling Piedmont woodlands as well as shots of just-caught red drum, bluefish and spotted seatrout. As …
Sentinel data centers to develop N.C.’s first mega-scale, multi-tenant data center for enterprise users in Durham
Governor Bev Perdue announced today that Sentinel Data Centers LLC, a pioneer in the wholesale data center industry, has selected North Carolina as the location for a 420,000 square foot facility in Durham, making it the region’s first purpose-built multi-tenant data center for large-footprint users. The Sentinel NC-1 facility will be available for occupancy in early 2013 upon completion and commissioning of an initial 120,000-square-foot phase. The Sentinel NC-1 facility will ultimately yield approximately 200,000 square feet of net computer …
Wednesday Open Line
The way Americans buy a home changed forever this week in 1947. That’s when one of the first communities built by a real estate developer opened for residents to move into — Levittown, on New York’s Long Island. Named for William and Alfred Levitt, the town ultimately contained more than 17,000 Cape Cod and ranch houses, snapped up by servicemen returning from World War II and facing an acute housing shortage. The houses in Levittown had 800 square feet of …
Michael Bobbitt: Notes From The Peanut Gallery (VC BOC 10/1/2012)
1. Scattered Site Program The Commissioners awarded $70,000 of taxpayers’ money (CDBG) to Mel’s Plumbing for the demolition and rebuilding of one home in the Scattered Site Housing program. Karen Foster, Council of Governments, said because Mel’s Plumbing is a licensed builder, electrician, and plumber they avoid subbing out costs achieving the lowest bid. One could argue that that an all in one contractor defeats an objective of the Scattered Site Housing Program, “… expanding economic opportunities.” Unless the increase …
Henderson City Council Special Called Meetings For CDBG Grants
The Mayor has called a Special Called City Council Meeting for Monday, 15 October 2012 at 12:00 noon. The purpose of this meeting is to hold a public hearing to consider a CDBG grant application. The Mayor has also called a Special Called City Council Meeting for Monday, 29 October 2012 at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting is to hold a second public hearing regarding a CDBG Grant application, along with any other required items of business. Both …
Carnegie Corporation Grant Advances STEM Education in NC
A developing network of innovative STEM secondary schools with a focus on biotechnology and agriscience – including a regional STEM school in northeastern North Carolina – will be significantly enhanced by a $500,000 grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York to the NC New Schools Project, a key partner in the network and regional model school. Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Board of Trustees last month approved the NC New Schools Project’s proposal, aimed at creating a school that can serve …
Political Discussion: 5 Week Countdown to Election Day 2012
Home in Henderson will have a weekly thread for political issues, including this thread, counting down the 8 weeks until November 6th, 2012, election day. Discuss as you please, keep it civil and respectful. Next Tuesday will be 4 Week Countdown and so forth. (I hope I got the week count right.) You are free to comment on political issues anywhere else on the site as well, but it might be easier to carry about long discussions in specified threads …
Tuesday Open Lines
As National Hispanic Heritage Month continues, one of those recognized during the month is Richard Serra, described by art critics as among the most significant sculptors of recent years. Serra was born in San Francisco and studied at the University of California and Yale. He is noted for his large-scale, abstract, outdoor sculptures of rusted steel. Several of his pieces have generated controversy but his sculptures generally have been well received, with many on display not only in the U.S. …
Representative Kay Hagan: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
Last week, I spoke on the Senate floor about three remarkable servicemembers from North Carolina. These three young men – Darrion Hicks, Sean Brazas and Jacob Levy – volunteered to join the military during a time of war. They traded their youths and spent time away from family and friends. They selflessly put their lives on the line for their friends, their loved ones, for people they never met. They are three of the 336 U.S. servicemen and women we …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Promoting Effective Energy Policies
American energy independence is vital — not only to our national security, but to our efforts to create jobs here at home. This week I met with over 40 members of my Energy Advisory Council to discuss many of the issues we now face related to energy. In this newsletter you will find more information about the meeting and about my position on energy policy. Also in this newsletter, you will find a recent letter to the editor in the …
Bono Mack, Butterfield Join Forces to Raise Awareness of DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, and Ranking Member G. K. Butterfield (NC-1), who worked closely together to hold two nationally-televised Congressional hearings on the growing danger of prescription drug abuse, have joined forces once again to raise awareness about the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which was held on Saturday (Sept. 29) from 10 am to 2 pm. Bono Mack and Butterfield have …
White House Weekly Address: It’s Time for Congress to Help Responsible Homeowners
In this week’s address, President Obama explains his administration’s steps to help the housing market, including giving responsible homeowners a chance to save thousands of dollars every year by refinancing their mortgages, but he says we need Congress’s help to do more. Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the First Lady spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Dinner, We the People turned one-year old, and the President …
Monday Open Line
A car destined to put America on wheels was introduced on this day in 1908. It was Henry Ford’s Model T, and the demand became so great that Ford developed the assembly line to speed up production. At one time, a finished car rolled off the line every 10 seconds, and fully half the cars in the world were Model Ts. In 1924, the basic Model T sold for just $260 — available, as the joke went, in any color …