economic development

After many ups and downs, the film industry in North Carolina is making gains. Last year, film and TV productions here generated more than $302 million in direct in-state spending and Charlotte is taking in some of that money with productions like "The Hunting Wives," "Roofman," "Bad Counselors" and "Top Chef" shooting here. We take a closer look at what this means for our economy, culture and workforce.

The Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte revealed Friday plans to create a $20 million center that will focus on boosting economic mobility for residents in one of the city’s Corridors of Opportunity.

The Japanese company FujiFilm Diosynth Biotechnologies announced Thursday that it's adding 680 jobs to a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Holly Springs.

A South Carolina tech company that connects homeowners with rooftop solar installers says it's moving its headquarters to Charlotte's South End. Palmetto is currently based in Charleston, South Carolina.

alpitronic, an Italian company that makes ultra-fast electric-vehicle charging stations, says it will locate its U.S. headquarters and service center in Charlotte and create 300 jobs.

Atom Power, which makes electric vehicle charging equipment, is planning a $4.2 million expansion of its Huntersville headquarters that will create 205 jobs.

The Charlotte City Council voted Monday in favor of amending the city's contract to buy electricity from a planned solar farm in Iredell County and absorb a 25% fee increase. The council also approved an economic development grant for a new lithium research center in northeast Charlotte.

Redwood Materials, a Nevada company that makes electric vehicle battery components, says it will build a $3.5 billion campus near Charleston, South Carolina. State officials say it's the largest economic development investment in South Carolina's history.

Charlotte-based chemicals supplier Albemarle Corp. plans a $200 million lithium research center in Charlotte's University Research Park. The company says the center will create 200 jobs and support the fast-growing market for lithium and electric vehicle batteries.

Some local leaders say a new 4-lane road across the Catawba to Gaston County from Charlotte would ease traffic on both sides of the river. Critics say it would lead to more sprawl.