Business

N.C., S.C. Unemployment Drops To Lowest Rate In Years

Michael Tomsic — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:58:05 +0000

North Carolina's unemployment rate has dropped to its lowest level in four years, and South Carolina's unemployment rate has declined to the lowest point in five years. That's according to figures released Friday for the month of April.

Charlotte Sees Boom In Chinese Businesses

Julie Rose — Fri, 10 May 2013 00:29:00 +0000

Chinese business people from across the Carolinas will gather in Charlotte Saturday evening to celebrate the rapid growth of the Carolinas Chinese Chamber of Commerce and crown an inaugural set of award recipients.

Bank Of America Shareholders Approve Executive Pay

Tasnim Shamma — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:15:30 +0000

Bank of America held its annual shareholders' meeting in Charlotte today. CEO Brian Moynihan began the meeting highlighting the company's financial gains. He says the company has seen large growth in deposits and credit card accounts and has helped close to 2 million homeowners avoid foreclosure. He says internally, the company has been able to reduce costs to more quickly increase payouts for its shareholders.

Female Business Owners

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Owning a business is an ambitious venture for anyone. But as a female business owner, there are particular challenges that one might face. In the late 1980s, women owned only ten percent of U.S. business. Now, women own forty percent of all privately-held firms. This considerable rise of women leaders has helped shift the business landscape and has opened up a wealth of opportunities for aspiring female entrepreneurs and small business owners. Two female Charlotteans started the company, Towne and Reese, and continue their rapid rise of success. A conversation about being a women and owning a business, when Charlotte Talks.

Chinese IT Firm Calls Charlotte Home, Adds 200 Jobs

Tasnim Shamma — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:27:04 +0000

One of China's largest IT consulting firms, Pactera, announced Monday it's adding 200 jobs in Charlotte over the next few years and making the city its U.S. headquarters.

Is Battery Program Environmentalism Or Profit For AAA Carolinas?

Ben Bradford — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 16:43:11 +0000

Saturday is Earth Day, so it's the time of year when companies, non-profits, and advocacy groups urge you to do your part to save the environment. One example: AAA Carolinas has an annual promotion called the Great Battery Roundup, where the organization offers $5 for drivers to turn in used or junk car batteries. The program may have environmental benefits, although the going rate for used batteries is often more than double on the open market.

Foreign Investment Created 7,000 NC Jobs In 2011

Ben Bradford — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:21:18 +0000

North Carolina created more jobs in 2011 through out-of-state and international investment than any other place in the U.S., according to an annual report IBM produces for clients.

Defense Industry Starts To Feel The Sequester

Ben Bradford — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:37:31 +0000

Cleveland County defense contractor, Ultra Machines and Fabrication, will lay off as many as 100 employees in May due to cuts in federal contracts. It could be the first in a rising wave of job losses related to the sequester.

In the last three years, Ultra’s received $46 million in federal contracts—what that business, and most defense contractors rely on. But as the sequester and other federal budget cuts kick in, those contracts are drying up.

Celebrating 45 Years With US Airways (Well, Sort Of)

Tasnim Shamma — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:40:24 +0000

These days, it's not that often that employees work for the same company for most if not all of their careers. Thursday night, US Airways celebrated employees who have done just that.

US Airways CEO: 'We're Very Concerned' About Charlotte Airport

Julie Rose — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:31:13 +0000

"Agnostic" is how one US Airways executive described the company's stance on whether the Charlotte airport should be overseen by the city or placed in the hands of a regional authority. US Airways CEO Doug Parker carried that same tune while in town Thursday, but also made it clear the airline doesn't want a backseat entirely.