Truist Commits $120M to Strengthening Black, Latinx and Women-Owned Small Businesses

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Yesterday, Bill Rogers, Chairman & CEO of Truist Financial Corporation, and Lynette Bell, President of Truist Foundation announced the bank’s $120 million commitment to strengthening and supporting Black, Latinx and women-owned small businesses across the country during an event at their Uptown Charlotte headquarters.  

As part of that overall commitment to small businesses, the company will make a $5 million national investment in Grameen America, including a $500,000 grant to Grameen America’s Charlotte portfolio, which will ultimately help generate $1.4 million in disbursements via 270 microloans to women entrepreneurs in one year. 

The bank’s new 2022 national commitment includes loans, investments and grants to organizations across the country, including:

  • Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF) – $10 million
  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) – $10 million
  • Empower the Change – $10 million
  • Grameen America – $5.5 million
  • Entrepreneur Backed Assets Fund (EBA) – $5 million
  • Minority Business Accelerator Fund (in conjunction with Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber) – $3 million
  • Asset Funders Network – $300,000
  • CommunityWorks – $300,000

Charlotte Sees #15 Largest Monthly Rent Increase

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Inflation is currently at its highest rate in 40 years, and rapidly rising housing costs are a key contributor. While the market has cooled slightly from last summer’s peaks, the national median rent has still jumped by 14% in the past year. And with spiking mortgage rates now sidelining potentially homebuyers, the coming months could bring additional competition for rentals amid a market that is already historically supply-constrained.
For the latest data, you can see the July Rent Report here, complete with median rent and price growth data through June 2022.
Highlights of the report include:
  • Rents in Charlotte increased 2.1% month-over-month in June, compared to a 1.3% increase nationally. Month-over-month growth in Charlotte ranks #15 among the nation’s 100 largest cities.
  • Year-over-year rent growth in Charlotte currently stands at 17.5%, compared to 10.6% at this time last year. Year-over-year growth in Charlotte ranks #21 among the nation’s 100 largest cities. Rents in Charlotte are up by 25.8% since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
  • Median rents in Charlotte currently stand at $1338 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $1466 for a two-bedroom.

Ultrasonic Cleaning Myth Busting Facts You Need to Know

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I’ve heard everything about ultrasonic cleaning throughout the years. There’s a lot of

misinformation out there regarding the finest ultrasonic cleaners and what they can and can’t

perform. I’m not sure how or where it originated. This blog post will try to clarify some myths about ultrasonic cleaning.

“Ultrasonic cleaners can’t be used to clean Aluminium”

Whatever the origin of this urban legend is, it is NOT True. An ultrasonic cleaning machine is useful to clean a wide range of metals, as long as a suitable cleaning solution is used. Using a detergent that is safe for Aluminum, you can clean magnesium, titanium, brass, and Aluminum quickly and safely.

“Using an ultrasonic cleaner on a PCB may harm the solder joints“

When it comes to cleaning with ultrasonic devices, many people incorrectly assume that they

function by scrubbing the dirt off surfaces. This is not how this works. Ultrasonic machines create microscopic cavitation bubbles which remove contaminants from the part’s surface. PCBs may be cleaned effectively using ultrasonic cleaning. I am dispelling this common misconception.

“Ultrasonic cleaning is ineffective“

When the right chemicals, cleaning duration, and temperature parameters are applied, ultrasonic cleaning is highly effective in removing contaminants. Likely, some user started this myth by cleaning an item that was much too small for the machine they were using, or by using the incorrect chemicals. Whatever the regularly origin of the myth may be, this claim is just untrue, as hundreds of companies and sectors demonstrate.

“The longer an ultrasonic cleaner operates, the cleaner the parts will be“

Yes! It is true that the longer an ultrasonic cleaning process continues, the cleaner the

components get. The cleaner will achieve better results if run for 5 minutes rather than 3

minutes. As for how clean a component should be, the user has the last say. In certain cases, it may be “clean enough” after only three minutes, while in others, this may take five minutes. 

There is always some very small amount of contamination that will stay on the part and will not be removed by any cleaning efforts. If all dirt and debris have been removed after 15 minutes of ultrasonic cleaning, running the washer for an additional 5 minutes will no longer be required.

“Ultrasonic cleaners are not sterile“

False! Ultrasonic cleaners are now the sole means by which many dental, medical, and hospital facilities clean and sterilize their equipment. Every trace of bacteria, mold, and protein-based contamination can be removed from a tool using ultrasonic cleaning solutions. I’m sure my grandma was responsible for spreading this myth; she felt that nothing was clean until it had been immersed in boiling water. That’s out-of-date.

“Before using an ultrasonic cleaner, you must always clean the parts“

False. When using ultrasonic cleaning, there is no need to remove any contaminants from a

component before the start of the cleaning cycle.

Ultrasonic cleaners are fantastic cleaning tools because they operate with a virtually infinite number of materials, remove a wide variety of impurities, and accomplish both in a matter of minutes. Ultrasonic cleaning is only successful if the chemicals, temperature, and cycle duration are all just right. Once this is done, almost anything can be cleaned with ultrasonic waves without any risk or trouble.

Cashless Carowinds following a world trend

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Once upon a time, not having a few bucks in your pockets meant that a trip to Carowinds was impossible, but that’s not the case anymore. Yes, you still have to pay to get into the park and enjoy all the white-knuckle rollercoasters and rapid water slides, however, Carowinds has joined the digital revolution, meaning that you cannot use paper money in their venue to pay for your tickets for the park and food or drink.

So, all you need to take with you to Charlotte is your cell phone to use Apple Pay or Google Pay, or a credit or debit card with a contactless symbol. The fact that you don’t have to worry about taking cash to the park is a major bonus, considering all the cash you would need to carry to pay for tickets and other amenities. You also don’t have the concern of losing the cash by using your phone or card, something which 82% of Americans are appreciating all the more after turning to contactless payments. Carowinds has made the bold approach and it will be fascinating to see how this change works with customers. However, it is a growing trend across businesses in the United States, and ditching cash not only has benefits for the environment but also financially for all parties.

Digital payments are the main driving force behind transactions in the world of leisure and business in Charlotte and the United States as a whole, whether you’re buying groceries or eating out in a restaurant. The ability to tap the reader rather than having to draw out cash from an ATM saves not only valuable time but also provides security. It is a lot easier to keep track of your funds with digital payments, and that goes for both sides of the transaction. Life can be much simpler for businesses using digital payments rather than having to count out every nickel and dime from the cash register at the end of the day before filing that money away.

This has been noticed across the board, as casinos have also recognized the importance of offering a variety of payment methods for their users. With popular real money online casinos like Caesars and Betway Casino, users can can rest assured knowing that depositing and withdrawing money are as convenient as possible with well-known payment methods such as debit cards, PayPal, and Paynearme.

Apple Pay and Google Pay are also available to use for this medium and offer the same standard of protection you would find when entering card details. Payments with these methods can now be performed with a tap of your phone or watch. But it does not stop there, as some businesses now accept cryptocurrency as payment because of its popularity, particularly among the next generation. The world is changing at a rapid rate, and the old days of needing a few bucks in your pocket appear to be on the way out when visiting theme parks, eating out, and seemingly all leisure activities.

The ​First Case of Monkeypox Was Just Discovered in Mecklenburg County

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The first official case of Monkeypox has just been discovered in Mecklenburg County, according to NCDHHS.

The department noted that they’re working closely with the CDC and the patient’s healthcare providers to identify and reach out to individuals who may have been in contact with them while infectious.

“It is very important to be aware of the symptoms of monkeypox and to be vigilant. Individuals with concerning rashes should contact their healthcare provider,” said Meckleburg County Public Health Director Dr. Raynard Washington.  

Monkeypox infections normally occur through contact with the skin lesions or bodily fluids of infected animals or humans – including respiratory droplets – or through contact with materials that have been contaminated with the virus.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, chills, rash and aches, before worsening lesions develop.

North Carolinians Losing Interest in Crypto Following Recent Crash

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  • North Carolina workers would have each lost $1,866 if they had opted for their salaries to be partly paid in crypto.
  • Employees in Montana would have made the biggest losses following the crash.
  • Infographic showing crypto salary losses across America.
A recent survey by CouponBirds conducted prior to the recent crash in crypto currencies revealed that the average North Carolina employee would have liked to have received 29% of their monthly salary in a virtual currency. However, since the recent crash in crypto currencies, which has seen the value of Bitcoin drop by 57.01% since January, it appears North Carolina workers’ enthusiasm for crypto currencies has cooled.
The company, which is a provider of consumer information about real-time deals and savings, applied this percentage to the current value of Bitcoin and determined how much each employee would have hypothetically lost had they opted for partial crypto payments from January 2022.
The analysis revealed that each North Carolina employee would have made a significant loss on their crypto-based salary – $1,866.87 to be exact. To put it another way, an employee who opted to be paid only in US dollars would have earned $17,875.00 over a 6 month time period, compared to one who opted for a part crypto salary (29%), who would have earned $16,008.13 since January 2022.

When these figures were compared across the country, it appears employees in Montana would have made the biggest losses had they chosen to be paid in crypto. The average respondent wanted 69% of their monthly salary in the form of a cryptocurrency. However, this would have resulted in a $4,375.39 loss, as compared to sticking out a traditional salary payment. On the other hand, employees in Arkansas were the least enthusiastic about converting a portion of their salary to cybercash each month, saying they would consider receiving just 10% of their monthly payment in this form of currency, resulting in a comparatively less painful loss of $575.73 over the past six months.

When asked why they would prefer crypto salary payments, 1 in 5 workers said they believed they are more resistant to inflation. Cryptocurrency is often considered a safeguard against inflation, however, as current inflation remains high, and cryptocurrencies have crashed recently, they cannot be considered a long-term inflation-resistant asset.

The poll also found that 29% of employees said they would prefer to receive bonus payments or performance rewards in the form of NFTs. NFTs (non-fungible tokens), are digital assets are collectables created using blockchain technology. These digital assets are traded and bought online, with all linked transactions being recorded on the blockchain. While any person online can view the NFTs, only the buyer themselves has ownership authority.

Lastly, the survey revealed that 19% of respondents said they would be more likely to join a company if the work model was within the metaverse.

6 More Earthquakes Just Struck SC – The 3.4 Magnitude Quake Was Felt In Charlotte

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Another 6 earthquakes just rattled the Elgin area of South Carolina yesterday, bringing the total number of quakes and aftershocks to over 30 in the past 6 months.

The biggest was a 3.4 magnitude quake that was felt as far away as North Charlotte:

The rumbling of the Palmetto State started when a significant 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck Elgin, South Carolina (about 50 miles south of Charlotte) the day after Christmas, followed quickly by 2.5, 2.1, and 1.7 magnitude aftershocks.

According to the USGA, the quakes had epicenters roughly halfway between Lugoff and Elgin, SC – all about an hour south of Charlotte.

Earthquakes have been increasing in frequency around the Charlotte region over the past few years. Last year, we experienced the largest earthquake in over 100 years when a 5.1 magnitude quake hit Sparta, NC, and since then, dozens of aftershocks have continued to rattle our state.

According to USGS.gov, “Moderately damaging earthquakes strike the inland Carolinas every few decades, and smaller earthquakes are felt about once each year or two.”

Have you felt any of the quakes? 

Business Opportunities within the Booming CBD Industry

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Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical and the most prevalent ingredient in marijuana. It’s a popular product worldwide due to its numerous health benefits. Many individuals are using the cannabis ingredient to alleviate various health issues, like chronic pains, insomnia, anxiety, etc. 

In a couple of years, CBD products have developed into an attractive and effective way of making money. Many investors are investing a lot of time and resources to explore the different opportunities to make more profit within the CBD industry. This article outlines the top business opportunities you can explore within the booming CBD industry.

1.Run a CBD Blog

Running a blog is another essential business opportunity you can choose to profit from the CBD industry. The opportunity is similar to using affiliate listing and creating a line of your products, but this alternative enhances your authority in the industry. Thus, it’ll be wise to invest time & resources in creating and running a CBD blog.

A successful CBD blog or social media platform will help enhance or bold your voice in the industry. After gaining the voice or influence, you can use it to make people use it to sell your products or use your affiliate link. Many investors consider this alternative a cost-effective and appropriate way to enter and create a mark in this booming or wonder industry. 

2.Create a Line of Edible CBD Products

Creating your line of CBD products is another way to conquer and get at the center of this lucrative business. It’s a cheap and effective way to conquer the booming CBD industry and business. You can start creating a line of edible products by designing the products and seeking the relevant authority’s approval. 

After getting the novel foods approval, find the right CBD manufacturers and check if they agree to have their product attached to their product. Alternatively, you can make your own CBD customized products with better cash flow. Experts advise that you contact individual stores or websites to sell your products after creating them or maximize the profits by selling them on your online store.

3.Start a CBD Delivery 

With most states and countries legalizing cannabidiol, the number of consumers is gradually increasing. You can maximize your profits or income by starting express shipping at an additional cost. This option involves starting your brand and growing it into a CBD delivery service for the consumers or customers within and outside town.

You can start the delivery service by purchasing a vehicle or van and having a valid driver’s license. Using your mobile GPS application, you can begin to offer courier or delivery services to small CBD stores and local online stores. You can work with different businesses and customers at a reasonable fee to increase your revenue or earnings. 

4.CBD Products Affiliate Listing

Advertising cannabidiol products is one of the most effective ways to break into this wonderful industry. Being CBD Affiliate involves listing or advertising products belonging to another brand. For instance, you make a lot of profits by advertising CBD brands via affiliate links. This option allows you to make a profit or money from any sales or leads you make using your promotional code. 

You only need a strong online or social media influence and presence to succeed with this business opportunity. You can make enough profits to help you settle your bills with proper functional listing and marketing skills. Experts reveal that it’s the most straightforward business opportunity you can choose, as you just need guidance from an experienced and relevant website or social media.

5.Open a CBD Specialty Cafe or Restaurant

Most surveys reveal that there are numerous business opportunities available in the CBD beverage and food industry. Thus, starting a specialty cafe or restaurant is the best way you can use to enter this lucrative business. You can start by customizing the products to have innovative and unique ways to ingest different products.

When starting a restaurant or cafe, you don’t have to worry about the packaging and labeling of the products. You can source the ingredients or products from wholesalers, later infusing them into the food you serve the customers. If you lack space for your customers to sit while eating, you can consider offering a takeaway-only menu for your customers.

Bottom Line

Various statistics and surveys reveal that CBD is an industry experiencing immense growth after popping into the market. With the projection of more development, it’ll be vital to take advantage and explore the best business advantage in this looming business. Above are the top CBD products business opportunities you can consider to make huge returns in this industry.

Tips to Keep Your Gambling Safe

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For those new to the gambling world, getting started can be scary, especially if you’re planning to gamble online since there’s always a chance something can go wrong. As soon as you take your first big step, you want to make sure you’re taking every possible precaution to protect yourself and your bank account. Luckily, there are some things you can do to ensure that your gambling adventure runs as smoothly as possible. No matter if you are hunting for high roller rewards at online casinos, testing new slot machines, or giving a try casino games, the below tips will come in handy for you.

#1 – Keep All Your Personal Information Safe

To start, make sure you’re aware of how the websites are set up. It’s easy to fall into a routine where you simply log in once per week and deposit and withdraw money, but this is a good way to fall prey to hackers and other scammers. Once you start gambling online, it’s important to be careful with the information you give to sites. 

It’s also a good idea to be cautious about logging into your bank accounts to get your funds. Be sure to double-check your banking login information for the sites you’re using to transfer your money and always look out for scams or phishing sites. That way, you can keep your gambling safe from the start.

#2 – Use Safe Gambling Websites

Of course, you can still take some steps to keep yourself safe. A good way to start is to look for a safe gambling website. This is where OnlineCasinoGo will come in handy. On the online casino review website, you will find the most up-to-date and unbiased information about the top leading gambling operators functioning in the Australian market. Not only will you know you’re playing in a legitimate venue, but you’ll also be able to rest easy knowing you’re not going to be falling for phishing scams.

When deciding on a casino to register at, there are a couple of things to keep your radar on:

  • The availability of a gambling license;
  • Certificates from dedicated regulatory bodies (TST, eCogra, etc.);
  • 24/7 customer support;
  • Gambling software;
  • Game variety; and many more.

It is also a good idea to check customer reviews when selecting a casino site. Thus, you will get an idea of what real people think about a particular gambling operator and will be able to make an informed decision.

#3 – Limit Your Bets

It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and to think about how much money you can win. While it’s a good idea to keep yourself interested, you should make sure you don’t overextend yourself when you’re gambling. That’s why you should limit yourself to a min allowed bet and do not cross the red line. The popular majority of online gambling sites allow for changing the stake level, so you don’t have to worry too much about any issues that may arise. But it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the sites you’re playing on, make sure that you’re never over the limit, and keep your bankroll under control. 

#4 – Be Smart About Your Funds

When you’re gambling, you should look at what kind of bonuses you can use and the other options you’ll have available. For instance, you might find that you can get a bonus and free spins so that you’re never risking your own money in the game. That’s why it is always a good idea to keep an eye on casino promos and bonus offers when gambling at a casino. Thus, you will be able to boost your bankroll and stay in the game as long as you wish.

#5 – Make Smart Financial Decisions

Sometimes, when you’re gambling online, it can be easy to forget about your finances because you’re so focused on what you’re doing. But you should always control your own funds; otherwise, you run into serious problems. We do not think that you want to be stuck in a situation where you lose all of your money and have no credits in your pocket to make a bet in your favorite game. To prevent this from happening, you need to decide on how much you can afford to lose and stick to the limit. Be ready to quit the game once you reach the top level. Thus, you will never go into the red.

#6 – Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket

If you’re going to put all your eggs in one basket, you’re going to have a bad time. This is one of the basic online gambling tips that you should always adhere to. You should definitely avoid playing games where you’re making bets on a lot of different things. Even when you’re playing games like roulette, it’s a good idea to not bet all your money on one game. When you’re gambling, it’s easy to get carried away and to put a lot of your funds in one session, which could cost you too much.

6 Pros and 3 Cons of Contingency Fees

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When a lawyer takes on a case for a client, the lawyer typically works with the client to set the terms of their agreement. One such term is the fee or percentage of the compensation that will go to the attorney if they successfully recover compensation from their client’s opponent. This type of arrangement is often called a contingency fee because it depends on whether there is sufficient opportunity for recovery. You can learn more about contingency fees here.

Pros of Contingency Fees

No Hourly Fees

The most obvious pro to contingency fees is that you don’t have to pay your lawyer until they win your case and get you the compensation you deserve. In addition, with a contingency fee, you don’t have to pay anything if your lawyer loses. This is especially helpful in personal injury cases, which can last for a long time between filing the lawsuit and trial.

Incentive

Lawyers are incentivized to do good work under a contingency fee structure. Since there are no hourly fees, the lawyer has no financial reason to drag out your case in hopes of earning more through additional hours worked. As a result, lawyers are committed to the case in such situations and use their best efforts to move your case along as swiftly as possible.

Less Pressure 

If you have been injured due to another party’s negligence, the insurance company may say that you must sign a release of their liability so as to get your medical bills paid. This results in additional pressure on the victim and can make them feel stuck with whatever terms the insurance company offers. Contingency fees allow victims to get help from lawyers who will fight for them and alleviate the pressure that comes from insurance companies and their hefty terms.

Eliminates Bad Lawyer Competition

Contingency fee arrangements will never promote “greedy” lawyers. The client always gets the best lawyer for their case. Additionally, contingency fees eliminate lawyer competition by reducing the number of lawyers willing to take on a case. This provides clients with the legal help they can afford and reduces the number of lawyers who would only be in it for the money.

Fair Compensation

When it comes to contingency fees, the fee your lawyer deducts as payment from your compensation is pretty reasonable and not a lot. The amount of money that is deducted from your compensation to pay for your lawyer’s services depends on how much your case is worth. This protects you from greedy lawyers who might want to take advantage of you. All you have to pay your lawyer is a fixed percentage of your compensation, so they can’t manipulate you into paying other charges. This is important because some lawyers may be tempted to charge you more money if they are paid based on hours.

No Surprise Fees

With contingency fees, there are no hidden fees or costs involved. If you have a signed contingency fee agreement, there will never be any surprise costs from billing to pay off after your case is over. The absolute value of the reward is what you will receive.

Cons of Contingency Fees

Complexity of the Case

If a lawyer can only be paid from compensation that is entirely dependent on winning a case, they might be unwilling to take on specific cases with a lower chance of winning. This could be due to the amount of work or the complexity of a case and can often mean that people who need help the most are left out.

High Percentage Payments

Some high-profile cases have contingency fee structures of up to 40%. This means you must fight for substantially larger compensation in your case so as to be able to pay your lawyer’s contingency fee and still be left with a sufficient amount of money that covers any injury or damages. However, it is possible to negotiate a lower percentage depending on the circumstances.

Confusion

People who never had a personal injury case before may not fully understand that they should pay their lawyer a percentage of their compensation, not just the value of their case. This can cause frustration and confusion when they hire an attorney who ends up billing them in a way they were not expecting.