The N.C. General Assembly's election mapmakers will spend the next week debating and adopting criteria for this year's redistricting process.
All in Business
Cooper urges Council of State members to ‘push vaccines as hard as you can’
On the heels of a new executive order requiring state employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine or be required to wear a mask and submit to weekly testing, Gov. Roy Cooper is urging other members of the Council of State to push their own staffs to get vaccinated.
Charlotte set to approve new nondiscrimination ordinance, its first since H.B. 2
The city of Charlotte is set to approve an ordinance aimed at barring businesses and employers from discriminating against people based on transgender identity and other “protected classes.” The measure is similar to the one that launched the “Bathroom Bill” controversy in 2016 and led to a significant fundraising advantage for Democrats in that year’s elections.
Governor Cooper appoints new general counsel to administration
Governor Roy Cooper announced that Eric Fletcher will serve as General Counsel and advise on legal affairs for the Office of the Governor. Fletcher replaces William McKinney, who served as the Governor’s Legal Counsel from January 2017 until July 2021 and has returned to private practice.
Industrial company to invest nearly $21 Million in Shelby
Steffes, LLC, a steel fabrication company, will create 130 new jobs in Cleveland County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $20.9 million to locate a new manufacturing facility in the City of Shelby.
$413 million in summer food assistance benefits being issued by NCDHHS to 1.1 million children
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has begun issuing $413 million in food assistance payments to an estimated 1.1 million eligible children through the Summer Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer food assistance program. Children who are eligible for the summer receive a one-time payment of $375 on their family’s P-EBT card.
Midyear fundraising numbers offer clues about the 2022 political battles
Carolina Journal recently reported on the second quarter federal fundraising numbers for declared U.S. Senate candidates in North Carolina.
Governor Cooper announces Amgen will create 355 jobs at new biomanufacturing facility in Wake County
Amgen Inc., the pioneering biotechnology company, will build a new biologics manufacturing operation in Holly Springs, creating 355 jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company intends to invest $550 million in Wake County.
Governor Cooper Sees More North Carolinians Get Lifesaving Shot at McDonald’s Restaurant in Nash County
Governor Roy Cooper visited the vaccine clinic held outside of a McDonald’s in Nashville to see more people receive their shot. North Carolinians getting vaccinated received a coupon for a free McDonald’s sandwich at this site, which was set up as a collaboration between the Nashville McDonald’s and Nash County Public Health Department.
North Carolina's June County and Area Employment Figures Released
Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 99 of North Carolina’s counties in June and decreased in one. Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 9.4 percent while Orange County had the lowest at 3.7 percent.
Help wanted: Lucrative benefits persuade almost 2 million to turn down work, poll finds
Nearly 2 million Americans have turned down jobs because the unemployment benefits are too lucrative — backing up a Republican-led plan in North Carolina to curtail emergency pandemic benefits.
Senate approves final deal deferring ABC renewal fees
The N.C. Senate has approved a final deal with the House for a bill to defer certain ABC renewal fees. Negotiations over a final version of the bill stretched out over three months.
Supply chain snags and ABC system disrupt private liquor business
Ollie Mulligan, this week from an airport somewhere in the Northeast, talked about his upcoming flight home, about returning to his native Ireland, to County Kildare. He thought aloud about the bright, rolling green fields. Of horses, and of Guinness.
This week at NCDOT: welcome center reopens, litter collection update, historic bridge removal
The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department's weekly newscast.
Glen Raven selects Warren County for major expansion
Glen Raven, Inc., a leading provider of innovative performance textiles with widely recognized brands including Sunbrella® and Dickson®, will create 205 new jobs as it expands its Custom Fabrics operations in Warren County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest up to $82 million in Norlina.
Nearly 180,000 new visitors explore career options with NCcareers.org
First year of state career resource portal brings new tools and resources for North Carolinians.
One year after Governor Roy Cooper announced the launch of NCcareers.org, a comprehensive career information system, NCcareers.org has experienced 1.3 million page views with more than 178,000 unique users exploring occupations in North Carolina.
Metal working company to expand and relocate headquarters and manufacturing facility to Duplin County with nearly $3 million investment
Metal Specialist LLC, a custom metal fabricator, will create 33 new jobs in Duplin County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $2.9 million to build a new headquarters operations and manufacturing facility in the Town of Wallace.
N.C. Land and Water Fund Distributed Over $20 Million in Grants in 2020
The North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF), formerly known as the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, will help conserve lands and protect waterways serving millions of North Carolinians through over $20 million in grants awarded in 2020 to help fund 65 projects throughout the state.
ICYMI: CNBC lists North Carolina as second best state for business
CNBC has ranked North Carolina as the second best state for business in its annual Top States for Business report. North Carolina received high rankings for its strong economy and workforce. However, the state received low rankings for life, health and inclusion — preventing the state from being the Top State for Business.
Red Bull and Rauch to build a multimillion dollar beverage manufacturing hub in Cabarrus County
Red Bull and filling company Rauch will partner to build a new beverage manufacturing, filling and distribution center in Cabarrus County, creating more than 400 new jobs, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The combined project will invest more than $740 million in the City of Concord by 2027.