Charlotte Ranked Among Top Cities For Industrial Space Under Construction in 2024

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Considerable investments in domestic semiconductor and electric vehicle (EV) production are driving an unprecedented surge in manufacturing construction — and the effects of the boom can already be seen in the 2024 industrial development pipeline.

So, CommercialSearch’s newest report highlights the markets with the most new industrial supply underway, as well as the largest properties scheduled for delivery this year.

Here are some of key highlights:

  • Charlotte ranks 8th for the amount of new industrial space currently under development. Roughly 11.5 million square feet of new industrial space is currently under construction.
  • This number translates into 3.7% of Charlotte’s current stock to be added through these new industrial developments.
  • The other North Carolina industrial market ranking among those with the largest pipelines this year is Raleigh with 8.1 million square feet under construction representing 7.1% of its current stock.
  • At a regional level, there are a total of 5 projects from the Southern region among the top 20 largest industrial deliveries of 2024 – 2 from Georgia, 2 from Texas, and 1 from Florida.
  • At a national level, there is currently 463 million square feet of industrial space under construction nationwide, representing 2.4% of current industrial stock.

North Carolina Voters Face New Rules in Upcoming Primary

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North Carolina’s March 5 primary will be the state’s first election under new voting laws, impacting the timing for mail-in ballots and the counting of early votes.

The NC State Board of Elections has indicated that early voting results will be reported later than in past elections due to a law that prevents the counting of early ballots before 7:30 pm on Election Day. Additionally, all mail-in ballots must now be received by 7:30 pm on Election Day to be counted, eliminating the previous grace period for late arrivals.

The NC State Board of Elections is also reminding all residents that today is the last day to request an absentee ballot:

According to the NCSBE, roughly 46,000 absentee ballots have been requested and 10,000 received.

North Carolina’s Election Day will take place on March 5, with polls open from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm across the state.

Panthers Jacking Up Ticket Prices After Finishing Season With League-Worst Record

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The Carolina Panthers have announced an average 4% increase in ticket prices for the upcoming season, marking the second consecutive year of price hikes after a period of stability in 2022.

Despite finishing last season with a 2-15 record and not having a winning season since 2017, the team is still going to raise their prices.

According to the AP, the lower level seating at Bank of America Stadium will see the highest increase, jumping 7% from last year for permanent seat license owners.

The upcoming season will feature nine home games, including one preseason and eight regular season games, one less than last year due to an international game in Germany.

The Panthers, who have one of the highest season ticket renewal rates in the NFL, are offering an all-inclusive trip to this year’s draft in Detroit as an incentive for early renewal or payment plan sign-ups by April 1.

You can find out more or buy tickets or PSLs on their website here.

North Carolina Ranks Among The Best States For Credit Score Increases in America

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With financial improvement being a popular New Year’s resolution, and raising your credit score being essential for this process, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its new report on the States With the Largest Credit Score Increases.

North Carolina Stats

  • Overall Rank for North Carolina: 7th
  • Increase in North Carolina Credit Score: The average credit score in North Carolina increased by 2.16% between Q3 2022 and Q3 2023.
  • Average North Carolina Credit Score: The average credit score in North Carolina was 663 in Q3 2023.

South Carolina was also ranked among the top 10, coming in at #9 overall.

States with the Largest Credit Score Increases

Overall Rank*  State Average Credit Score in Q3 2023  Average Credit Score Q3 2023 vs. Q3 2022 
1 Iowa 711 6.60%
2 Mississippi 635 2.58%
3 Arkansas 639 2.40%
4 Indiana 666 2.30%
5 Kentucky 649 2.20%
6 West Virginia 651 2.20%
7 North Carolina 663 2.16%
8 Ohio 687 2.08%
9 South Carolina 658 2.02%
10 Vermont 703 1.88%
11 Alaska 686 1.78%
12 Connecticut 688 1.78%
13 Oklahoma 652 1.72%
14 Tennessee 657 1.70%
15 Maine 689 1.62%
16 Alabama 646 1.57%
17 Georgia 666 1.52%
18 Michigan 673 1.51%
19 Pennsylvania 674 1.51%
20 Kansas 679 1.49%
21 New Hampshire 698 1.45%
22 Rhode Island 701 1.45%
23 Massachusetts 707 1.43%
24 Louisiana 644 1.42%
25 Nevada 667 1.37%
26 Arizona 676 1.35%
27 Virginia 678 1.35%
28 Maryland 683 1.34%
29 New Jersey 690 1.32%
30 Illinois 692 1.32%
31 Montana 695 1.31%
32 Texas 663 1.22%
33 New Mexico 666 1.22%
34 Missouri 668 1.21%
35 Nebraska 678 1.19%
36 Wyoming 680 1.19%
37 Minnesota 685 1.18%
38 Idaho 691 1.17%
39 Colorado 700 1.16%
40 Delaware 674 1.05%
41 Wisconsin 691 1.02%
42 New York 694 1.02%
43 Florida 695 1.02%
44 Oregon 685 0.88%
45 California 690 0.88%
46 Washington 694 0.87%
47 North Dakota 684 0.74%
48 South Dakota 671 0.45%
49 Utah 693 0.29%
50 Hawaii 699 0.29%

Note: *No. 1 = Largest Credit Score Increases

Hornets to Invest Up to $100 Million in Massive New Practice Facility

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The Charlotte Hornets have just announced plans to spend upwards of $100 million to build a massive new practice facility in the heart of our city.

In a recent Charlotte City Council meeting, Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) unveiled renderings for a $70 – 100 million state-of-the-art practice facility adjacent to the Spectrum Center. This investment drastically shifts the city’s previously allocated $30 million for the practice facility towards enhancements of the Spectrum Center itself.

“Hornets Sports & Entertainment is dedicated to investing in this community and the City of Charlotte, and the development of the new practice facility site is a key aspect in that process,” the Hornets said in a press release. “HSE is committed to fully funding the practice facility costs above the $30 million provided by the city, and we have teamed with longtime Hornets partner Novant Health to offer a destination for leading-edge sports medicine and orthopedic care as part of the mixed-use practice facility development. The new practice facility is the next step as we work toward our vision of building the premier franchise in the NBA and having world-class facilities.”

Scheduled to open in 2026, the proposed facility is part of a broader initiative to upgrade the Spectrum Center, discussions of which have been ongoing for nearly two years. In June 2022, the City Council approved a $275 million proposal aimed at revitalizing the uptown arena, including additional seating, upgraded concession stands, and concourse improvements.

HSE’s new financial plan is expected to save the city approximately $5 million, further aligning with Charlotte’s economic development goals. The Hornets’ renovation strategy, outlined in January, is set to be reviewed by Charlotte’s Economic Development Committee in March, with a city council vote on the new terms to follow. This development marks a significant step forward in enhancing Charlotte’s sports infrastructure and the Hornets’ competitive edge.

Southeastern Freight Lines Opens New 230 Bay National Hub in Charlotte

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Southeastern Freight Lines, the leading provider of regional less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation services, announced the opening of an expanded service center in Charlotte.

The contemporary Charlotte service center, located at 4524 Reagan Drive, consists of 230 dock doors. Upgrades include a complete yard rehabilitation and a new remote trailer parking lot. The best-in-class facility is part of a multi-phase redevelopment project that aims to incorporate Southeastern’s latest design standards, such as signature structural elements and interior finishes in addition to network and security features. The facility will embrace new technological advances, streamline operational costs, and, most notably, provide its dynamic team of associates with a modernized work environment to thrive in their various roles.

“The redevelopments at Reagan Drive will not only serve the local Charlotte market but will also increase the efficiency and bandwidth of freight we can push through this breakbulk, which impacts the entire surrounding region,” said Ryan Smigiel, Vice President of Real Estate. “As the Charlotte area is demonstrating exponential growth, we are looking forward to matching this momentum and expanding our operations to continue improving service to our customers.”

The new Reagan Drive service center will house both Charlotte’s pickup and delivery operation and breakbulk operation on an interim basis while Southeastern works to redevelop its second Queen City facility on Amble Drive – a project that will construct a new service center consisting of 185 dock doors, an appointment warehouse with six additional dock doors, a regional office, and a driver rest facility.

The Reagan Drive facility opened for business in June 1972 with eight dock doors and six associates.

“The new service center not only empowers our company to cultivate lasting relationships with its great customers, partners, and associates in the Charlotte region and beyond, but also instills an opportunity for additional expansion and job growth down the road with its dock door expansion, latest design standards, and efficient yard layout,” said Smigiel.

Southeastern Freight Lines was originally founded in Charlotte in 1950. It now operates 89 service centers in 13 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.sefl.com.

Charlotte FC Celebrates Historic Season-Opening Victory Under Coach Dean Smith

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In a landmark event at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte FC marked the beginning of the Dean Smith era with a historic 1-0 victory over New York City FC, achieving their first season-opening win since the club’s inception three years ago.

This victory also represents the first Major League Soccer win for Smith, a coach renowned for his Premier League experience, who has been charged with the mission of transforming a team previously predicted to struggle in the Eastern Conference.

Adding to the night’s achievements, Nimfasha Berchimas, a homegrown talent for Charlotte FC, made a significant mark in the MLS history books. Just two days after his 16th birthday, Berchimas made his senior team debut as an 84th-minute substitute for Kerwin Vargas during the match, becoming the ninth-youngest player to play in the league.

This milestone adds to Berchimas’s growing reputation, following his successful stint at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup where he scored three goals across four matches.

The game’s decisive moment came early, with Adilson Malanda scoring the sole goal in the eighth minute, ensuring a victorious start for Smith’s tenure with Charlotte. The team is now set to carry this momentum into their next match against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, building on their historic season-opening success.

Former Panthers QB Cam Newton Gets In Massive Brawl At Youth Football Tournament

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Panther’s former QB Cam Newton was caught on video over the weekend in a massive brawl at a youth football tournament.

In the video, Newton appears to primarily be defending himself against a trio of attackers.

The confrontation, which involved pushing, shoving, and grabbing, moved towards a fence line and lasted under 30 seconds before being dispersed by a policeman and event security. The cause of the altercation remains unknown.

Here’s another angle of the fight:

The incident occurred at the WeBall Sports x DynastyU 7v7 C1N tournament held at B.E.S.T. Academy.

Newton, an Atlanta native, founded C1N in 2021, an initiative aimed at nurturing young football talents. Through his organization, Newton seeks to enhance the skills of young athletes by engaging them in competitive 7-on-7 tournaments and other developmental activities. C1N’s mission, as stated on Newton’s website, is to cultivate both athletic and personal growth, enabling young players to succeed in football and beyond. The organization participates in tournaments nationwide, promoting high-level competition and learning.

Revolutionizing Classrooms: NC’s New Requirements For Using AI in Schools

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The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has just released their official guidelines on integrating generative artificial intelligence (AI) in public schools, making it the fourth state to provide such guidance.

The new rules emphasize the need for AI literacy across all grades and subjects and responsible AI use in classrooms. AI can help teachers automate tasks, analyze student performance, and adapt teaching methods, freeing up time for direct student engagement.

“Generative artificial intelligence is playing a growing and significant role in our society. At NCDPI, we’re committed to preparing our students both to meet the challenges of this rapidly changing technology and become innovators in the field of computer science,” said State Superintendent Catherine Truitt in a press release. “We also believe that, when implemented thoughtfully and responsibly, generative AI has the power to revolutionize student learning and better prepare North Carolina’s students for the jobs of tomorrow.”

The guidebook addresses concerns like cheating and data protection. NCDPI, in collaboration with AI for Education, developed the “EVERY framework” for ethical AI use, focusing on evaluating, verifying, editing, revising, and being transparent about AI usage.

Preparing students for the workforce through AI familiarity is crucial, as AI and machine learning roles are expected to be the fastest-growing jobs, with significant industry adoption anticipated by 2027.

You can click here to read the full NC AI Guidebook issued by NCDPI.

What do you think about the new rules?

 

How to Properly Maintain Your Hoverboard?

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Every electronic device needs maintenance to last a long time, and hoverboards are no different. These fun self-balancing scooters are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and electric motors. The upgraded versions also come with Bluetooth connectivity, LED lights, sensors, and many other cool features. However, regardless of whether you have the latest hoverboard with Bluetooth or a simple one, proper maintenance is crucial to make it last longer. Let’s see how you can do that in the article below. 

1. Never Overcharge Your Hoverboard

Hoverboards have a short charging time of 2 to 3 hours. It’s easy to leave them on the charge and get busy with other tasks. However, this is very harmful to batteries. You should keep an eye on the charging time and unplug the charger as soon as the battery is full (80% to 100%). If you don’t use the hoverboard frequently, the battery will likely run out over time. In this case, charge it every month or two. 

2. Don’t Drive on Wet or Rocky Surfaces

Most hoverboards are designed to be used on all surfaces. They are also IPX-rated, which means water exposure will not damage them. But this doesn’t mean you should use your hoverboard in puddles or rocky terrains. 

Keeping the hoverboard immersed in water for too long, moisture can get into the main components (like the electric motor) and damage them. Similarly, driving the hoverboard on an extremely rough surface can put too much pressure on its sensors and deteriorate its functionality. It’s best to drive it only on a smooth and flat surface like the road. 

3. Clean Your Hoverboard Regularly

Since a hoverboard is used outdoors, a lot of dirt can collect on its body and wheels. Don’t store it as-is after using it. Instead, take a microfiber towel and dust off its surface. 

For the wheels, dampen the towel and clean the nooks and crannies. Please note that the hoverboard should be turned off, and the towel should not be dripping with water. It should only be damp – with the excess water squeezed out. Once dry, put the hoverboard back in its box and store it in a cool place. 

4. Take Care of the Weight Limit

Different sizes of hoverboards can handle different weights. However, the average weight limit is 100 kg. So, while driving, make sure you are not crossing this limit. This means you should not allow two people to ride the hoverboard simultaneously. Also, you should not carry heavy loads when driving the hoverboard yourself. 

5. Get Your Hoverboard Checked by a Professional 

Hoverboards are typically durable and don’t develop any technical issues. But in case your hoverboard has some problem, don’t try to fix it yourself. Different companies design the device differently, and you can risk injury. So, we don’t recommend watching YouTube tutorials or reading guides to resolve any kind of defect in the hoverboard – especially if you have never done it before. Instead, visit a professional or contact the company’s customer support.