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Economic Development

No right to repair in defense bill

Multiple reports indicate that Congress has dropped the idea of adopting subjecting military contractors to a “right to repair” law via an upcoming defense-spending bill. Star & Stripes, the Federal News Network, Wired and The Intercept all reported that language implementing the concept got stripped from the National Defense Authorization...

By Ray Gronberg

December 12, 2025

Fiscal Research sees a cloudy economic picture

Legislative staffers are expecting pretty much all the state’s key economic indicators to slow in fiscal 2026-27 — just in time for next year’s mid-term elections. Their reckoning, based on numbers obtained from Moody’s Analytics, is that the average unemployment rate in North Carolina for the upcoming fiscal year will increase...

By Ray Gronberg

December 10, 2025

Boom finds AI customer for its engine tech

The jet engines Boom Supersonic’s designing for the airliners it wants to build in Greensboro may wind up powering data centers first. Boom announced Tuesday that it’s gotten an order from San Francisco-based Crusoe Inc. for 29 “Superpower” turbines for use in AI data centers. Crusoe has projects in store...

By Ray Gronberg

December 10, 2025

Tillis: Highlight the business case for renewables

U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, of course, was on hand for Monday’s Clean Energy Champions luncheon not so much to talk about his future but to discuss the uncertain times facing renewable energy technology. He counseled pragmatism and a strong, business-oriented focus. Doing the “right thing” in the sector, by itself,...

By Ray Gronberg

December 9, 2025

Lumbee recognition in pending defense bill

U.S. House members are going to try to pass the long-awaited Lumbee recognition bill by incorporating it into an omnibus defense-spending bill. The move is already drawing criticism from the leaders of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Their principal chief, Michell Hicks, said the bill is “not the appropriate...

By Ray Gronberg

December 9, 2025

Farmers, biz groups complete Clean Energy awards

Another of the Clean Energy Champions awards announced Monday went to Martin County farmers Ken and Johna Gurganus, in part for their efforts year to oppose House Bill 729. This was a proposal from state Rep. Jimmy Dixon, R-Duplin, and senior chairman of House Agriculture and Environment, that in its first...

By Ray Gronberg

December 9, 2025

Hall, Gable honored for power-transmission bill

State Reps. Kyle Hall and Wyatt Gable received two of the “Clean Energy Champions” awards handed out Monday by Conservatives for Clean Energy’s North Carolina chapter, largely for a bill that addresses power-grid planning. Their proposal, House Bill 814, didn’t make it out of committee during this year’s long session,...

By Ray Gronberg

December 9, 2025

USDOJ opposing Duke Energy antitrust appeal

Trump administration officials are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to shelve Duke Energy’s appeal of a lower-court ruling that went against it in an antitrust case. The case “arises out of a campaign by an established monopolist” — i.e. Duke — “to stop a more efficient rival from disturbing its...

By Ray Gronberg

December 5, 2025

Length of Duke’s two-year rate plan draws questions, opposition

Duke Energy’s latest rate-increase request is already getting pushback from industry interests. Via a Nov. 26 filing, the Carolina Industrial Group for Fair Utility Rates is urging the N.C. Utilities Commission to send Duke back to the drawing board because its proposed multi-year rate plan only spans two years. State...

By Ray Gronberg

December 5, 2025

Duke facing big bills for nuke upkeep

Duke Energy envisions spending nearly $771.0 million on renovations and upgrades to its fleet of nuclear reactors over the next couple of years, its recent rate-increase filing indicates. The work targets all six of its nuclear power stations in the Carolinas, with much of it focusing on replacing equipment or...

By Ray Gronberg

December 5, 2025

Asheville retirement community gets bonds for expansion

Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community in south Asheville is planning a nearly $400 million expansion that will include about 200 units. The project proposes about 165 additional independent-living apartments, 10 assisted-living units, 12 memory care units and 12 skilled-nursing beds. Also included in the plan is a community center with dining...

By Ray Gronberg

December 3, 2025

Wolfspeed secures CHIPS Act credits

Durham-based chipmaker Wolfspeed says it’s received $698.6 million in federal tax refunds authorized by the CHIPS Act. The advanced manufacturing investment tax credit follows $186.5 million in refunds that came the company’s way in its 2024-25 fiscal year. Wolfspeed officials say the latest refund bolstered the company’s cash balance, leaving...

By Ray Gronberg

December 3, 2025

DMV wants study of teen-driver licensing process

Part of the new plan for improving customer service at the Division of Motor Vehicles calls for at least a partial reconsideration of the licensing system for teen drivers the state instituted in the late 1990s. DMV’s strategic plan calls for a study of “elements of the Graduated License Process...

By Ray Gronberg

December 2, 2025

After Helene, WNC counties drop in state tier ranking

Mountain counties took a beating from Hurricane Helene, and because of Helene they also took a beating in the latest tier listing from the state Commerce Department. The update saw two of the west’s most populous counties, Buncombe and Henderson, drop from the ranks of the state’s top 20 best...

By Ray Gronberg

December 2, 2025

Marshall gives up incentives for PTI facility

One of the flagship projects in the developing aerospace-industry hub at Piedmont Triad International Airport is running into some serious headwinds. Marshall of Cambridge’s U.S. subsidiary on Oct. 31 notified the N.C. Commerce Department that it’s giving up its rights to a $2.4 million Job Development Investment Grant because it won’t...

By Ray Gronberg

December 1, 2025