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Economic Development

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

Appeals Court directs arbitration to Tennessee

A conflict between federal and North Carolina arbitration laws continues to vex the state Court of Appeals, which recently sided with a Tennessee contractor’s push to have its dispute with a Raleigh plumber addressed in its home state. Thomas Builders hired Earnhardt Plumbing as a subcontractor for a Fayetteville-area hotel...

By Ray Gronberg

December 1, 2025

Tillis talks tariffs, NATO obligations in Canada

North Carolina U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis made waves north of the border over the weekend, criticizing Canada’s low defense spending on one hand and the Trump administration’s handling of tariffs against the country on the other. During a panel discussion with two border-state senators, Tillis said he has “a serious...

By Ray Gronberg

December 1, 2025

Bond raters agree that Charlotte’s still a powerhouse

Charlotte’s time in the national spotlight might be making the city a political lightning rod, but the country’s three major bond-rating agencies all agree it’s a well-managed economic powerhouse. Fitch, Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s all recently reaffirmed the city’s AAA bond rating ahead of its move to refinance some...

By Ray Gronberg

November 24, 2025

Duke seeks average 13% rate hike for residential users

Duke Energy is asking state regulators to approve an increase of more than 13% in its rates in 2027 for residential customers, with business customers likely to see smaller increases. The requests continue a trend of sharply higher electricity costs over the past decade. Residential rates in the U.S. climbed...

By Ray Gronberg

November 23, 2025