Could Apple still build a campus in North Carolina?

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We live in a highly digitalized world in which smart technologies are of utmost importance. More importantly, tech companies have overtaken the world. Those have managed to appear at the top tier of the global giants, becoming more significant than oil and gas corporations or transcontinental conglomerates. They keep rising as the new generations, notably the Gen Z, are keen on tech innovations and digital devices. 

To really understand the scale of the digital transformation throughout the recent years, we should observe the aspects of our daily lives. From banking to purchasing various goods and services, everything is now done through the internet. There is practically no need to visit a physical branch to transfer money or use various financial services. Besides, using different smart devices, individuals can now perform practically any activity from shopping to ordering a cab. Under such circumstances, the success of tech companies should not come as a surprise to anyone.

Despite the competition rules and an extremely well-saturated and diverse market both in the United States and beyond, there are still a few companies that dominate the entire market. Notably, those are Apple and Microsoft, along with others like Amazon. This group of corporations pushes for innovation and novelty on a regular basis, coming up with products and services that go viral overnight. 

Apple, which started in a garage, is one of the biggest tech companies in the world now. The corporation’s annual revenue exceeds $260 billion, a landmark milestone in the development of the company.  Now, despite the global economic and social turmoil Apple stocks are at an all-time high. The company keeps growing, achieving new heights, and releasing innovative products that come with the Apple standard. The corporation is present all around the world, with its flagship iPhones being sold in every country on earth. Now Apple wants to expand even further, amidst the urgent need for more staff and office space. 

The Apple office culture 

It is a general 21st-century tendency that offices should be simply cool. More open spaces, entertainment areas and fun activities are brought to workspaces by the companies, in efforts to attract more young and innovative talent from all over the world. Offices are important and all companies acknowledge that. Besides the general trend, the visible pattern is that tech and innovative businesses have even more interesting offices. Companies like Microsoft and Facebook feature slides, soft floors and plenty of other fun activities inside of their office buildings. 

Apple is not one of such companies. The corporation prefers keeping the design solid, yet making it more spacious, environmentally friendly, and classy. The minimalistic design at Apple’s offices reflects the structure and characteristics of their products. Well-streamlined and carefully designed, vast, and welcoming spaces cost billions of dollars. Notably, Apple Park, corporate headquarters in Cupertino, California, cost the company an estimated sum of $5 billion. 

The new office in Austin and the North Carolina dream 

In November, Apple stated that the ground had been broken at the construction site of its newest grand office location in Austin Texas. It is a 133-acre property that will be able to accommodate 15,000 members of the Apple staff, making the location one of the largest on the company’s records. This came as a shock for many people that were following the news about Apple’s corporate office development. The thing is, that according to the earlier sources, Apple was considering North Carolina as their newest location. The amount of investment is just over $1 billion that would have been a significant boost for the State’s economy. Being the only major metropolitan area within the area, Charlotte could gain some major benefits from the project. The city could get more employment opportunities and international attention, potentially driving more firms into the state and Charlotte particularly. 

Apple’s announcement about the new location in Austin was particularly shocking for the governor of North Carolina. According to a number of valid sources, the state had considered the negotiations about Apple’s new location concluded. The deal had been reached and Apple was to build its $1 billion development in North Carolina. Even the potential location was leaked a number of times with all of the sources saying, that the new campus would be built on the ground of the Research Triangle Park close to Raleigh and Durham. 

So what happened with the deal? If the sources were correct, the construction of the new campus should have already kicked off on the premises of the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina. According to the Senate Majority leader in the state, Harry Brown, the leaked information about the project could be to blame for the cancellation of the construction: “The December announcement seemed to surprise the governor and state legislative leaders, who hours later released a joint statement touting economic growth in North Carolina and pledging to keep doing everything we can. Apple and companies like it are very sensitive to information getting out, and there’s a possibility that could have hurt the negotiations with Apple a year ago.” 

What if Apple’s North Carolina campus will still become a reality? 

The hope is still here and on some very valid grounds. Shortly after the announcement of the Austin construction back in 2018, over 280 acres of land was purchased within the limits of the Research Triangle Park by ‘Acute Investments’. The latter is not a well-known company with a high profile, but the local attorney and the Apple lobbyist Bruce Thompson is listed on the deeds for the said property. WRAL later followed the story, reporting numerous times that the area is controlled by Apple. The State officials in North Carolina refuse to respond to the story, proving that there probably is more to this story than what we know. 

 

6% of Millennial Renters in Charlotte Say They Plan On Renting Forever

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As the housing market continues to improve and an aging millennial generation continuing to rent, many are asking – what does the future of home ownership in America look like?
ApartmentList.com just released their 2019 Millennials & Homeownership Report, which analyzes the attitudes, expectations, and actions of over 10,000 millennial renters in the U.S.
The report found that:
  • 6% of millennial renters in Charlotte metro expect to rent forever. But of those who expect to purchase a home, 39% have not yet started saving towards a down payment.
  • At current savings rates, just 25% of America’s millennial renters will be ready to put down 10% on a median-priced starter home in the next five years.
  • Forgiving student loan debt would be a major boon to millennial homeownership. If debt payments were instead put towards savings, we estimate the percentage of the nation’s millennial renters ready to buy a home would rise from 25% to 39%.
  • To cope with high costs, some millennial renters look for down payment support from family. But millennials are expecting less support this year ($9,000) than last year ($10,000).
70% percent of renters say affordability is the reason they have not yet (or will never) purchase a home. Furthermore, student debt continues to be a barrier and millennials are expecting lower levels of financial assistance from parents than in prior years.
Taken together, these statistics indicate that millennials are very unlikely to catch up to previous generations in homeownership in the coming years-especially if the United States experiences another recession.

4 Tried & Tested Ways to Maximize Your Refund on business income deductions

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At present, most self-employed people look for ways to cut down the tax liability of their business. This approach makes sense in the current age of rising prices. While they generally tend to rely on a 1099 tax calculator for this purpose, they also look for other options.

Here’s how you can limit the possibility of paying more than what you owe as tax liability.

  1. Decide if you want to file jointly with your spouse or individually

Self-employed taxpayers in the United States have the option of choosing how they would like to file for their taxes. Of course, to a large extent, it depends on their marital status.

Filing individually or jointly with your spouse has its share of advantages and downsides. Though 96% of couples in the United States choose to file jointly, it may not be the best option in all cases. 

This is especially true if you are entitled to COBRA payments as a part of medical expenses. In such cases, filing your tax individually will entitle you to more deductions. The Child Tax Credit is another factor you may want to consider as well before making your tax filing decision.

If you are unmarried, including a qualifying dependant or filing as the head of the household will help you get more tax deductions.

  1. Know your eligibility criteria for tax deductions

Given that there is a long list of tax deductions, you may miss out on cashing in on one or more tax deductions for which you are eligible. Taking your time in exploring all the possibilities will help you overcome this challenge.

Before filing for your tax deduction, don’t forget to consider the following options:

  • Reinvested dividends
  • State Sales tax
  • Child and dependent care
  • EITC or Earned Income Tax Credit
  • Charity Miles
  • Medical miles
  • Jury duty fees
  • Student loan interest
  • Charitable contributions out of the pocket

Check out if you qualify for these criteria for a tax deduction.

  1. Try to increase your contributions towards IRA and HSA accounts

Contributions to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) or both can help you cut down the burden of taxes. When you make these contributions, they add up to your adjusted gross income (AGI).

Make sure you find out if you qualify to contribute to either one or both of these accounts.

  1. Keep an eye on the timing factor

By choosing the right timing strategy, you can avoid the maximum expenses linked to tax expenses. It can help maximize your possibilities for claiming a greater refund. If you can pay the outstanding tax-related expenses before the conclusion of a year, it will help you minimize the burden of taxable income.

Final thoughts

Getting a refund on taxable income may not be as easy as it sounds on the surface. That said, some proven ways, such as the ones listed above, can help you accomplish the task. Now that you know about some such ways put them into practice and see how they work for you.

 

How To Make Your Charlotte Business More Accessible

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When you run a business there are tons of different responsibilities you have to balance. From accurately ordering to marketing your place and even hiring the right staff, the tasks are endless.

However, one very important responsibility all business owners have is their responsibility to cater to a variety of customers, including differently-abled ones.

When it comes time for you to conduct business, it’s imperative that you make your place accessible to everyone. If it’s not, then you risk losing customers.

Read on to learn about three ways to make sure you’re considering everyone in your workspace.

1- Think About The Layout Of Your Space

When you’re building a business, you need to consider creating a space where people with different levels of mobility can move around comfortably. There are tons of people young and old who have mobility issues for one reason or another. For people with these issues, elements like stairs or narrow aisles can be really limiting.

Not everyone builds their store space with wheelchair or scooter users in mind. But if you want to create a truly welcoming environment for all patrons, then you should be working with ADA contractors to make the storefront more accessible.

ADA contractors work to help you make the space you operate in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. These contractors start their work by creating an accessibility assessment of your space, then draft and execute plans to make your space satisfy state requirements. Altogether, they make your layout truly inclusive.

2- Examine The Ways You Communicate

Another way you can make your business more accessible is by focusing on how you communicate with customers. For those in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community, having written or signed communication is a necessity if they want to interact with your business.

If you want to be fair to your Deaf and HoH clients, consider having captions or transcriptions of all your marketing videos and policies.

It’s simple to get visuals captioned too. There are tons of online services that can caption a video for around a dollar a minute and promise quick turnaround times.

Unfortunately, it’s a common oversight to exclude the Deaf community in many forms of communication, but it is easy to address. Simply start by captioning your marketing and training materials today!

3- Are You Marketing To Different Communities?

Lastly, when we think of accessibility, you can frame it in terms of interacting with your larger community. Are you serving only a small group of people in your neighborhood, or are you accessible to everyone in your area?

Sometimes companies remain inaccessible to parts of their community because of lack of awareness or interaction. But that’s easy to rectify.

If your business seems to be isolated from the community at large, consider getting involved with local organizations that focus on helping the disabled.

For example, you could sponsor a local little league team or start an open mic night to get the word out that you value your community. People love to frequent businesses that give back, so if you want to expand your reach, then partner with others around you!

In The End

While being an accessible business does take some thought, it doesn’t have to be a hassle. When you start to take initiative to include your larger community in your workplace, your efforts will pay off.

Think about the ways you can make your storefront and website easier to access. And don’t forget to consider communities beyond your own when marketing – you never know what connections you’ll create in a city like Charlotte!

Tropical Storm Fay Could Develop Over South Carolina This Week

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A new low pressure system building over Georgia and South Carolina could develop into the 5th named storm of 2020 (which would be the earliest 5th named storm on record).

If the system is able to whip up sustained winds over 39 mph, it would be officially named Tropical Storm Fay, the fifth name for 2020, after; Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, and Edouard.

The National Weather Service is currently giving the system a 40% chance of developing into a storm over the next 5 days.

This morning the National Weather Service issued the following warning:

947 AM EDT Tue Jul 7 2020

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Tropical moisture has spread across the region and will persist into
tonight. Areas of heavy rain may develop across the forecast area,
especially along and southeast of the Interstate 85 corridor,
leading to localized flash flooding.

Here is the current and future radar of the system:

Rock Hill Pushes Through Emergency Ordinance Requiring Face Masks To Be Worn in Public

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The City of Rock Hill has just passed a new sweeping measure that requires all citizens and visitors to wear approved face masks when in public within city limits.

The new measure comes as COVID-19 cases in South Carolina continue to spike. York County now has a total of 1,530 confirmed cases and 12 deaths.

In a public press statement, Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said; ”We can suffer some inconvenience for the health and safety of all.”

The new face mask requirement begins on Friday, July 10 at 12:01 AM and will remain in effect for 60 days unless City Council suspends it before then.

The new ordinance stipulates that approved face coverings will be required within the Rock Hill City limits when:

  • Inside City facilities
  • When using or driving public or commercial transportation, including My Ride buses.
  • Inside any retail, service or food service establishment.
  • Staff at retail and service establishments must wear face coverings while working in areas open to the general public or in interactions with other staff where 6 feet of separation can’t be maintained.
  • Staff at food service establishments, including delivery drivers, must wear face coverings when interacting with customers.

What do you think about the new ordinance?

Charlotte Author Has New Book Published

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Richard A. Klein, a lifelong resident of Charlotte, has seen the release of his second published book.  This time it’s one for children.  The title is “Something to Crow About”, published by Dorrance Publishing and available on-line from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

The story is about a young crow who worries about his diminutive size and wishes he might be larger and prouder.  Moe the Crow, feeling puny and tiny, turns to his mother.  She gives him the family history tracing Moe to a time when his ancestors rule the earth as dinosaurs.

The story changes Moe’s perspective making him believe that life’s best is what lies ahead.  Klein said that “This book provides entertaining rhyme, colorful pictures, a scientific story and a reminder of the bond between parents and their young.”

Klein’s earlier book reflected a recent career background, “Putting the Fun Into Fund Raising.”  He is also a former newspaper reporter a film scriptwriter who saw 65 of his scripts produced for television and group audiences.

Klein said he was especially pleased with his illustrator, Ariel Coburn of Alexandria, VA.  She has also worked with him on the writing of two future books for children.

You can find the new book here on Amazon.

Salisbury-Based Food Lion Parent Commits To Stop Selling Products Sourced From Monkey Labor

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International grocery giant Ahold Delhaize—which operates its U.S. headquarters out of Salisbury, NC and has 2,000 stores and distribution centers nationwide, including Giant Food, Food Lion, Stop & Shop, and Hannaford—has committed to not stocking or selling any coconut products sourced from suppliers that use monkey labor. The move follows PETA’s undercover investigation of Thailand’s coconut industry, which revealed that monkeys are chained, confined to cramped cages, and forced to climb trees and pick coconuts for coconut milk and other products sold by major brands like Chaokoh and Aroy-D.

PETA visited four “monkey schools,” eight farms, and one coconut-picking competition, in which chained monkeys—reportedly illegally captured as babies—were forced to climb palm trees and pick coconuts for export around the world. When not being forced to pick coconuts, the animals were kept tethered, chained to old tires, or confined to cages barely larger than their bodies. At the facilities, monkeys displayed stereotypic repetitive behavior indicative of extreme stress. One monkey in a cage on a truck bed shook the cage repeatedly in a desperate, futile attempt to escape, and a screaming monkey on a rope frantically tried to run away from a handler. An investigator learned that if monkeys try to defend themselves, their canine teeth may be pulled out.

“These curious, highly intelligent animals are denied mental stimulation, companionship, freedom, and everything else that would make their lives worth living, all so that they can be used to pick coconuts,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA believes virtually all coconuts from Thailand are picked by abused monkeys and is calling on kind people to buy coconut products that are sourced elsewhere.”

Charlotte Black-Owned Etsy Shops You Need To Support

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via Zoe Claire Creations

In today’s consumer driven economy, shoppers often have far more power than they realize to both make and break businesses – especially on a local level.

With the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Stephon Clark, and dozens of other unarmed black Americans by police, it’s important for all Americans both fight for racial justice and support the black community.

One of the most powerful ways to show your support is with your wallet, and specifically, buy shopping at local black-owned shops.

Since COVID-19 numbers are still rising and social distancing is still in effect, we did some digging to find the top black-owned Etsy shops in Charlotte so you can still show your support from the safety of your own home.

#1 Lee Hill Designs

Lee Hill Designs is run by Charlotte resident Rashada Cherry who makes some truly impressive custom handbags and accessories. You can browse her shop here.

#2 Zoe Claire Creations

Zoe Claire is a mom, a wife, and an entrepreneur who makes one-of-a-kind products born out of a love of Disney, family and crafting. On her shop, she notes that, “I’m lucky enough to be married to my college sweetheart, and to live in the beautiful city of Charlotte, North Carolina. When I’m not crafting or running my shop, my husband and I are busy trying to keep up with our energetic little ones!” You can browse her shop here.

#3 RTSimpson

Ryan Simpson is a brilliant graphic designer and illustrator from Charlotte who has “has strong Post Moves & a solid Midrange J“. You can browse his shop here.

#4 BeingKindra

BeingKindra is a jewelry and accessory shop run by Kindra Rush here in Charlotte. Her shop description is sweet and to the point – Unique finds in limited quantities. You can browse her shop here.

#5 220Productions 

220 Productions is a clothing and accessories company based here in the Queen City. You can browse all Jason’s designs on his shop here.

Top Solution for Mail Migration

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Today, the exchange of written messages is instant. There are mail clients for desktop and mobile devices, with a broad array of features for every taste. Email is a fixture of professional life. When users switch to MS Outlook, they often take their data with them. Migration to this popular environment is complex.

Features and design are not the only aspects setting mail systems apart. They also store data in proprietary formats. As these are incompatible, users ought to find email conversion software tailored to their needs. Today, there are client-specific solutions for most situations. And results are usually spectacular. 

When Data Formats Clash

A common issue is a transition from Mac Mail to MS Outlook. Here, extension disagreement is exacerbated by differences between OS environments. While the source stores information as *.MBOX, the destination will only accept *.PST. 

Such data antagonism makes manual efforts fruitless. There is simply no way to cope without third-party aids. This is especially true for instances of the cross-platform transfer. 

Consequences of Failed Attempts

Manual efforts are notorious for their drawbacks. Common flaws include loss or damage of data — sometimes, for good. Such approaches are also extremely laborious. For instance, one way to move data from Mac Mail involves four different programs. 

Conversion is inescapable, and it must be handled by professional software. Why use a converter alone when you can have the entire process safely automated? Professional tools aren’t free, but they are often affordable and offer the best value for money.

Three Advantages to Consider

Today, the range of migration software is broad. State-of-the-art solutions are always client-specific. They are designed based on the peculiarities of both the source and the destination. Top products require one-time payment and come without restrictions on the size of data or frequency of use. 

1. Speed and Ease

These are often single-window programs with a minimalistic interface. Their use is straightforward: all you need is a few easy steps. All intermediate steps (extraction, conversion, import, and saving) are automated. In terms of time, this could save you hours. 

2. Guaranteed Precision

Forget arduous and questionable manual procedures. Automated transfer guarantees you peace of mind. It is always simple and error-free. Users are sure their messages and attachments stay intact.  

3. Less Is More

The simpler the interface — the better. This may sound counterintuitive, but complicated systems are actually redundant. Mail transfer is a straightforward task that requires a few buttons only. After all, you pay for an automated program, not a manual guide!  

Security of Data 

Today, data leaks may cause irreparable harm. With dedicated utilities, transferred data never leaves your computers. Emails with sensitive or confidential content are a common target for cybercriminals. Arm yourself with a licensed tool to ensure safety, precision, and speed.