The Good News Report

[KJHburg]

Charlotte named one of the top 3 cities for entrepreneurs by Wallethub out of 150 cities! https://www.bisnow.com/charlotte/news/economy/charlotte-a-top-city-for-entrepreneurs-73918

[KJHburg]

NC is the top state for business in the country according to Site Selection Magazine, the economic development publication. http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2017/05/05/north-carolina-bests-texas-to-win-site-selection-s.html?ana=e_me_set1&s=newsletter&ed=2017-05-05&u=oAaDx%2B74FoP4qOJ%2By4AU6dhJPpc&t=1493988144&j=78100341   Lots of corporate real estate execs read this magazine 

Here is the article from the magazine 

http://siteselection.com/issues/2017/may/prosperity-cup.cfm   

 

Edited May 5, 2017 by KJHburg

[Dale]

1 hour ago, KJHburg said:

NC is the top state for business in the country according to Site Selection Magazine, the economic development publication. http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2017/05/05/north-carolina-bests-texas-to-win-site-selection-s.html?ana=e_me_set1&s=newsletter&ed=2017-05-05&u=oAaDx%2B74FoP4qOJ%2By4AU6dhJPpc&t=1493988144&j=78100341   Lots of corporate real estate execs read this magazine 

Here is the article from the magazine 

http://siteselection.com/issues/2017/may/prosperity-cup.cfm   

 

This is no small accomplishment, especially given that a number of states are more business-friendly than NC.

[Nick2]

@Dale NC is consistently rated either at the top or in the top five of the most "business-friendly states" though...

On another note, we can now legally run over pesky protesters if they're in our way in the streets! Probably not actually good news but perhaps it will help convince protesters to stay out of the freaking roads.

http://www.charlottestories.com/nc-house-just-passed-hb-330-allowing-drivers-legally-hit-protesters-block-roads/

Edited May 5, 2017 by Nick2

[Nick2]

Sorry to bring up a third topic since the last post before me but this is seriously awesome! I'm proud of my state! North Carolina has officially surpassed Arizona to become the second highest solar energy producing state in the country.

http://www.seia.org/research-resources/top-10-solar-states

[tozmervo]

4 minutes ago, Nick2 said:

Sorry to bring up a third topic since the last post before me but this is seriously awesome! I'm proud of my state! North Carolina has officially surpassed Arizona to become the second highest solar energy producing state in the country.

http://www.seia.org/research-resources/top-10-solar-states

It's odd to me that the "homes powered equivalent" does not correlate to the MW capacity, especially since AZ homes probably use more per capita energy than NC homes.

[jednc]

1 hour ago, Nick2 said:

@DaleOn another note, we can now legally run over pesky protesters if they're in our way in the streets! Probably not actually good news but perhaps it will help convince protesters to stay out of the freaking roads.

http://www.charlottestories.com/nc-house-just-passed-hb-330-allowing-drivers-legally-hit-protesters-block-roads/

At first I thought you were being sarcastic but I honestly agree with you. Not that I would try to intentionally run over anyone but if it's ever a them vs me situation...then it's them.

[kermit]

14 hours ago, jednc said:

At first I thought you were being sarcastic but I honestly agree with you. Not that I would try to intentionally run over anyone but if it's ever a them vs me situation...then it's them.

Yeh, its really is great news that the NCGA -finally- decided to strip people of their fundamental human rights the second they voice opposition to official policy. Why didn't we do this sooner? 

Your right of self-defense never went away, this bill simply says its open season on anyone who dares to stand near your car while opposing the party in power. Pardon me while I go sharpen the grill of my buick and wait for Trump impeachment protestors to step into the crosswalk. #deathrace2000

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_362818-Buick-Riviera-1967.html

 

Edited May 6, 2017 by kermit

[elrodvt]

Can we move this to off topic so I can avoid the NC redneck remarks?

[KJHburg]

Back to good news this is from Cushman and Wakefields 1st quarter 2017 real estate reports:

"The overall state of Charlotte’s economy at the end of Q1 17 has spread optimistic momentum. With HB2’s (NC bathroom bill) demise, hopes of a strong year with accelerated activity are now realized. The Charlotte MSA added almost 37,000 new jobs over the last 12 months, decreasing the unemployment rate from 5.2% down to 4.9%. Out of the Major MSA’s (over 1 million employed), Charlotte ranks 5th in the country for rate of job growth and the top 7 Growth Markets are all located in the Southeast. 2017 will be another growth year for the office sector based on the clearly visible economic fundamentals."

You can download the reports from here and both the office and industrial markets are booming esp. warehouse/flex markets. 

http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/research-and-insight/unitedstates/charlotte-industrial-snapshot/   Industrial report

http://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/research-and-insight/unitedstates/charlotte-office-snapshot/  Office report also very positive 

Every week almost new companies are coming to town or existing companies are expanding their space and this all leads to more construction.

[jednc]

4 hours ago, kermit said:

Yeh, its really is great news that the NCGA -finally- decided to strip people of their fundamental human rights the second they voice opposition to official policy. Why didn't we do this sooner? 

Your right of self-defense never went away, this bill simply says its open season on anyone who dares to stand near your car while opposing the party in power. Pardon me while I go sharpen the grill of my buick and wait for Trump impeachment protestors to step into the crosswalk. #deathrace2000

Ribbit, ribbit, splat.

Edit: and you drive a Buick? Just how old are you?

Edited May 6, 2017 by jednc

[R.Talbott]

5 hours ago, kermit said:

Yeh, its really is great news that the NCGA -finally- decided to strip people of their fundamental human rights the second they voice opposition to official policy. Why didn't we do this sooner? 

Your right of self-defense never went away, this bill simply says its open season on anyone who dares to stand near your car while opposing the party in power. Pardon me while I go sharpen the grill of my buick and wait for Trump impeachment protestors to step into the crosswalk. #deathrace2000

How bout just don't block the road?  I'd argue back and forth about the dangers of protesters blocking the road and how pointless it is as well, but I don't really care about your opinion either way.  Don't block the road, don't get hit, no matter what your political beliefs may be.

[Neo]

Let's avoid politics here...it never ends well. I speak from personal experience. 

[KJHburg]

NC had RECORD tourism year in 2016 yes last year.  I would think this year will be even better.  https://edpnc.com/north-carolina-tourism-generates-record-employment-visitor-spending-2016/

[Dale]

NC is unstoppable

[KJHburg]

2 of the top 10 lowest cost tech centers are in NC and Charlotte beats out Raleigh not on number of tech jobs but cost of living. Charlotte's tech community has really grown in the last few years with many new companies that fly under the radar sometimes. http://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article149287389.html  Anyway more praise for the Charlotte tech community which should help more tech people to our market. 

Here is the study mentioned in the article really interesting how Charlotte stacks up as a great place for tech employers https://www.paysa.com/blog/2017/05/03/tech-jobs-in-non-tech-hubs/

Edited May 9, 2017 by KJHburg

[Vitamin_N]

15 hours ago, KJHburg said:

NC had RECORD tourism year in 2016 yes last year.  I would think this year will be even better.  https://edpnc.com/north-carolina-tourism-generates-record-employment-visitor-spending-2016/

Quite a contrast from this May 2016 Observer article, House Bill 2 could cost N.C. $5 billion a year, report says:

Quote

Because of government travel bans and the loss of private tourism, North Carolina also will likely lose sales tax revenue, according to the report.

 

[kermit]

1 minute ago, Vitamin_N said:

Quite a contrast from this May 2016 Observer article, House Bill 2 could cost N.C. $5 billion a year, report says:

 

one does not contradict the other.

[J-Rob]

US Bank takes another floor in Uptown. Come on Tryon Place, woo US Bank!!

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/05/09/u-s-bank-takes-another-floor-at-201-south-tryon.html

Edited May 9, 2017 by J-Rob

[KJHburg]

The great news in that article about US Bank is that they are up to 650 employees in Charlotte PLUS 250 from a year ago. 

In another statewide good news 1200 new jobs coming to RTP from Credit Suisse biggest job announcement in the state this year. http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2017/05/09/credit-suisse-adding-1-200-jobs-in-rtp.html?ana=e_trig_bn&u=oAaDx%2B74FoP4qOJ%2By4AU6dhJPpc&t=1494348161&j=78131061

[atlrvr]

http://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2017/05/09/exclusive-axa-expanding-in-charlotte-with-550-jobs.html

^^^ so that's good news

 

EDIT:  So, quick follow-up.

550 new jobs, pay average of > $109k/year

New jobs over the next 5 years.

Currently 575 jobs in Charlotte that must be maintained (they've been adding a lot for the last 6 months based on job postings I've seen)

AXA is a huge company #33 of the Global Fortune 500 list.  This will be their largest US corporate office (though HQ will remain in NY)....global HQ is Paris

Mix of jobs is across most corporate functions (finance, IT, legal, etc)

While their current office is in Innovation Park in Univ City, I'm not sure they can expand by another 125-150k sq ft that they will need there.  Will be interesting to see if they relocate their offices.  Most insurers are in cost cutting mode due to low interest rates, so I doubt we see an Uptown move, but who knows.

What also was unsaid is where the jobs will move from.  They relocated some jobs from Hartford, CT last year, though most US corporate jobs are in NYC, Jersey City, and Syracuse, NY.....so I expect to see a lot more NY State license plates soon.

This is a good win for Charlotte, and I would expect to see additional insurance company job growth here....we have TIAA, AXA, MetLife and smaller AIG presence.  The Hartford is also quietly expanding, and recently leased space in Ballantyne.

[KJHburg]

Wow what a big day for NC 550 jobs in Charlotte with AXA average ;pay $100k and 1200 jobs in Triangle area with Credit Suisse average pay $100k  Great day for NC all around and it is good to have several engines of economic growth in the state!

[Nick2]

There's a reason so many whispers of relocations to NC for HQ or that some businesses have more employees here in offices than in their HQ city. CEO's think NC is the 3rd best state for business and CEO's have a ton of clout in determining where to locate a company's HQ.

The Article

The methodology of the ranking

Full list of rankings

[DEnd]

On ‎5‎/‎5‎/‎2017 at 3:00 PM, tozmervo said:

It's odd to me that the "homes powered equivalent" does not correlate to the MW capacity, especially since AZ homes probably use more per capita energy than NC homes.

Why would you think that?

The largest source of at home energy use is heat, NC has more Heating Degree Days than Arizona does.  Also just because Arizona is warmer than NC does not mean they use more energy to cool, this is because NC is much more humid than Arizona is.  It takes much more energy to cool humid air than it does to cool dry air. 

[Popsickle]

7 hours ago, DEnd said:

Why would you think that?

The largest source of at home energy use is heat, NC has more Heating Degree Days than Arizona does.  Also just because Arizona is warmer than NC does not mean they use more energy to cool, this is because NC is much more humid than Arizona is.  It takes much more energy to cool humid air than it does to cool dry air. 

Look at building techniques...for traditional homes in each area.  Long before we and the all mighty A/C came around people mastered how to control the internal temp of a building.  Even if it reaches 50C in an area during the day, that does not mean the interior temp of a building does the same.  Think thick dense walls, not made of 2x4, the cheapest sheetrock and R20.  It is cheaper to media home temp in AZ then NC.