Belmont and McAdenville Bringing Back Pre-Pandemic Christmas Festivities

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This holiday season, return to traditions and twinkling lights in Belmont, N.C.  From small-town celebrations to family-friendly festivities that shimmer and shine, our region shares ample  charm and memory-making through the New Year. 

“The holidays provide a perfect opportunity for Belmont to proudly display its commitment to community, history and tradition,” said Ted Hall, chairman of Belmont Tourism Development Authority. “Belmont’s small  town charm glistens as brightly as the colorful bulbs. We cannot wait to welcome families to our city for  another year of Christmas cheer.” 

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden ushers in its annual Holidays at the Garden, Nov. 26 to Jan. 2. Experience  magic and whimsy among festive blooms at this family-friendly event. The exhibition returns with traditions  and topiary displays, sparkling cherry trees and rolling lights across the Piedmont Prairie. Festivities also  include wintertime tunes, food truck fare, holiday beverages and seasonal shopping. Significant COVID-19  precautions are in place at the Garden throughout the holidays, such as staggered entry times to reduce  crowding. Advance tickets are required and available at dsbg.org. 

Continue celebrating the holidays in nearby Christmas Town U.S.A. as McAdenville, N.C., transforms for a 66th year. Nostalgia and traditions ring loudly in Christmas Town, which presents more than 150 decorated  homes alongside sparkling streetscapes from Dec. 1-26, 5:30-10 p.m. each night. In addition to memorable  

strolls and drives throughout town, the ChristmasTown 5k, Tree Lighting Ceremony and Yule Log Parade  return to the McAdenville merriment this year. 

In Belmont, the holidays unfold brightly beginning in November. Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 27 offers a  chance to experience the city’s brick-lined sidewalks and quaint boutiques while finding those perfect  presents. On Nov. 29, the City of Belmont Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the season’s glow as well as the  fourth annual Festival of Trees, a jolly display of Christmas trees across historic downtown that runs until  Jan. 3. The 72nd Annual Belmont Christmas Parade – Nov. 30, 3:30 p.m. – ushers in festive floats, marching  bands, tradition, joy and Santa Claus! And on Dec. 4, in the heart of downtown, Belmont Christmas Village  evokes the holiday spirit with s’mores stations, holiday music, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Also on  Dec. 4, nearby Belmont Abbey College presents its annual “Christmas at the Abbey” with two show times  featuring secular and sacred music, poignant readings and lighthearted comedy. 

“Everyone can use a bit of holiday cheer this year,” added Hall. “Belmont is ready to deck the halls with it.”

5 Reasons to Use a COVID-19 Screening Form in Your Business

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When it comes to the safety of your employees and customers, you should make no compromises. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, you need a screening form that will help protect them. The form has many features that make it easier to operate efficiently and accurately. Find out five reasons why you should use a COVID-19 screening form in your business.

Real-Time Notifications

Information at hand is essential in your business’s day-to-day activities. Maintaining a screening form that updates in real-time means that your employees will have access to the most current information at all times. 

The COVID-19 screening form has real-time capabilities. You can visit this site to know that you are receiving up-to-date results. With regular up-to-date information, you can quickly move forward with your activities to attain your business goals in a safe environment.

Easy Report Generation

Reports are an essential part of any business since they provide crucial metrics helpful in making decisions. COVID-19 screening forms offer easy-to-generate reports that will help you figure out when screenings should be done, who needs to do them, and the results of these screenings. Furthermore, you can access the info easily through the click of your mouse. The reports will then inform your next cause of action from the results and findings.

Monitor COVID-19 and Prevent Spread

The COVID-19 screening form is easy-to-use. This allows you to set up parameters and monitor the spread of COVID-19 at your business. This way, if a new case is found or an existing one spreads, you will be notified immediately so you can take action quickly to eradicate it from your workplace before it becomes worse. 

The screening form was specifically designed to meet your business’ safety issues that came with the pandemic. It is the perfect tool to monitor the virus spread and deal with it appropriately. Remember, information is power!

Maintain a Safe Working Environment

A safe working environment is essential for your employees and customers. COVID-19 screening ensures a safe working environment, as it allows you to make crucial decisions on who can access what areas to keep everyone secure and sound. 

Indeed, you can easily isolate the sick from the healthy using this form. Remember that isolation might be the best cause of action in some instances.

Simple to Use and Share Data

The form’s data sharing capabilities allow those involved with hiring or screenings to access the data they need. The screening form also makes it easy for you to share information with others in your business. You can attain this by creating custom forms that can be shared among many people or just with select individuals who have permission. This way, you can discuss the way forward based on certain information metrics received from screening. 

COVID-19 screening is a smart move for your business! It has features that will protect those in your business from harm. Please take a look at the COVID-19 screening today and see how it can better aid you in making important decisions for the safety of your employees and customers.

 

Why Relocating to Charlotte Could Be Your Best Move Yet

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Charlotte is cosmopolitan, vibrant, and growing quickly. It’s a melting pot of people, arts, entertainment, and opportunity. Stats show that, on average more than 100 people have been relocating to Charlotte every day for the last few years. 

If you’re considering joining the crowd, here are some reasons to see it through. 

1. A Fast-Growing Metropolitan Area

The great thing about moving to Charlotte is that it is easier to get here. There are several removal companies from cities not too far away, such as Marietta movers.

And moving here is something a lot of people are doing! The city is experiencing exponential growth. It is currently about the 15th biggest city in the country. During 2017 and 2018 alone, the city grew by 13,151 residents. There are hundreds of people moving in every month.

2. A Strong Economy

One of the top reasons people are moving to Charlotte is that its economic growth is consistent compared to other states. It is higher than the growth rate of places like Miami, Jacksonville, and even Atlanta. 

The city’s economy counts for 26% of North Carolina’s GDP. Charlotte’s economy is worth about $130 billion, which makes it the financial capital of the Southeast. 

The city is also known to have an abundance of jobs. The unemployment rate is only around 4.9%, and the city’s average salary is higher than the national median. 

3. Business Diversity

The city’s economic drivers are diverse, making it a place that suits many different people and their business interests. Banking is a major business activity in the city, and it is the country’s second-biggest banking epicenter. 

Microbreweries are also booming. There are currently around 50 cider and beer breweries throughout Charlotte. This makes for fun weekend outings!

4. Charlotte Is Affordable

Living costs in Charlotte are below the national average. According to Payscale, the cost of housing in Charlotte is about 14% below the country’s average. The cost of groceries, utilities, and transportation are also below the average. 

5. Loads of Culture, History, and Entertainment 

Did you know that the city is named in honor of German princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz? The county Charlotte is based in, Mecklenburg, gets its name from her as well. You’ll see a statue of the princess at Charlotte airport. 

By the by, the airport is ranked sixth in the nation on operations, and it’s the 11th biggest airport when it comes to passenger totals. Over 44.4 million passengers traveled through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in 2016.

Charlotte also has a vibrant musical scene, with many world-class venues to enjoy concerts and shows. The local culinary scene is a force to be reckoned with as well. 

6. An Active Sporting Community

Charlotte loves their Charlotte Knights baseball team, and their Carolina Panthers NFL team, amongst others. You’ll get to look forward to the annual Belk Bowl and ACC Football Championship events. 

Active sports enthusiasts can join local clubs, ski in the mountains, or surf in the coastal region. You won’t be bored with what Charlotte has to offer sports-wise.

7. Spectacular Seasons 

Each season in Charlotte is clearly defined. You’ll get to experience the full glory of spring, summer, fall, and winter. The city’s tree canopy coverage is vast, so fall foliage is gorgeous to behold. 

Even though it is much warmer than up north, you’ll still get a few snow days in winter. Summer is also balmy and pleasant.

Some Closing Thoughts

As you can see, with its booming economy, high salaries, low cost of living, cultural diversity, and entertainment opportunities, moving to Charlotte could be excellent for you and your family. Be sure to do your research into your business niche before you move. Also, be sure to find the best removal company to help you make the transition.

 

How to Move Homes on a Budget

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Whether upgrading to a larger home, moving to a new city, or downsizing, moving homes is an intensive and expensive process. Instead of dreading your moving day, it’s vital to lessen your stress so you can focus more on being excited about your new home. 

Perhaps one of the most stressful aspects of a move is the cost. If you are planning a move and are working with a tight budget, here are some ways to save money and keep the process smooth. 

Decide If You Want to Hire Movers

Let’s face it: although it would be economical to pack up everything yourself to move into your new digs, this tedious and labor-intensive process often cannot be done alone. If you have amassed some heavy or oversized furniture items, hiring a professional moving company for the process may be worth it. However, there are some ways you can lower the price tag on this service. 

First, try hiring a small business local to your area to get the best price point. Say you are in a city like Indianapolis. Try hiring Indianapolis movers who are small but reliable. This way, they’ll be able to give you a fair and accurate quote and may even be up to negotiation. 

The other thing you can do is be sure to have everything packed and ready for your moving team to move out when they arrive. This way, they’ll save time moving, and you will save a few bucks by being extra prepared.

Of course, if you are physically capable and don’t have a ton of furniture and boxes, you can always enlist a few friends with bribes of pizza and beer and rent a Uhaul to carry out your move. 

Declutter and Donate

Over time, it’s shocking how much stuff we can accumulate that we don’t regularly see or use. A large move is a perfect time to apply the KonMari method to your life, start fresh, and maybe even make a buck or two. 

As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and old furniture, books, or clothes that you may no longer want may be just what someone else is looking for. Selling your old stuff on online marketplaces like Craigslist is a great way to downsize for your movers as well as make some money to fund your move or some new decor. 

If some things don’t sell on time, it’s always a good idea to donate. If you get a receipt from your donation facility, you can always add it as a tax write-offwhen the season comes.

Use Materials in Your Home to Pack

It’s easy to forget about all the things that you need to pack up all your things. The boxes, the bubble wrap, the packing tape are all expenses that tend to add up. 

To save some money, it’s entirely possible to use items in your home as packing materials to avoid material and monetary waste. For example, instead of using bubble wrap to secure your fragile items, try wrapping them with your bath or kitchen towels. 

You can also try to avoid buying boxes and check out craigslist to see if anyone happens to be giving them away. 

Save Money While You Move

Moving your entire life from location to location can seem like a monumental task, but there are plenty of ways that you can streamline the process while saving quite a bit of money to put into your new home. By following some of the steps listed above, you can turn a stressful process into a pleasant one. 

NC to Receive $1 Billion for Broadband Expansion from $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Act

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President Joe Biden this week signed into law the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that will bring close to $1 billion in federal funding to help close the digital divide in North Carolina.

“The bipartisan infrastructure package signed yesterday by President Biden is a huge investment in our country that will bring good-paying jobs and much-needed infrastructure modernization to North Carolina,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This bill will help ensure we emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever before by improving our roads, bridges, public transit systems, high speed internet networks, clean water and disaster preparedness.”

More than one million North Carolina residents lack access to a high-speed internet connection, cannot afford internet service, do not have an adequate device or do not have the digital skills needed to use the devices to work, learn, access telehealth and engage with the digital economy.

The IIJA will provide North Carolina:

  • $100 million in block funding, along with the state’s share of both $4 billion in funding for high-cost areas and $37 billion for last-mile infrastructure. These shares will be prioritized based on unserved areas, underserved areas and community anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, medical and healthcare providers, public safety entities, community colleges, and other institutions of higher education;
  • In addition, the state will receive or be able to compete for a portion of $640 million for digital equity capacity planning and $1.3 billion for digital equity grants;
  • Access to a $1 billion grant program for middle-mile infrastructure to help bring fiber – which allows for faster internet speeds – closer to rural communities; and
  • Modifies, extends and renames the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP), and reduces the monthly benefit to $30 to help households afford access to high-speed internet service.

With these funds and the N.C. General Assembly’s appropriation of more than $960 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds, the N.C. Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) seeks to raise the percentage of North Carolina households with high-speed internet subscriptions from 73% to 80% and raise the percentage of households with children with high-speed internet subscriptions from 81% to 100%. Additionally, NCDIT is striving to increase adoption rates to 80% across the following racial subgroups: Native American (currently 57%), Black (currently 64%), Latinx (currently 68%) and White (currently 76%).

“With this dedicated funding for broadband infrastructure and digital equity, NCDIT can make remarkable strides in equipping North Carolinians with affordable high-speed internet access, technology and skills so they can connect to essential digital resources,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer James Weaver. “We are working with internet service providers and local municipalities and are encouraging public-private partnerships to ensure we deploy the best solutions to meet each community’s needs.”

What do you think about the use of the funds? 

CMPD Asking For Information Related To Murder Case

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CMPD is now asking for information from the public about an ongoing murder case.

According to a press release, on Oct. 12th, officers were called out the Fairwood Avenue regarding an ‘assault with a deadly weapon’. When they arrived, they found Strothers Jr. with a gunshot wound and Medic transported him to Atrium Main. 2 days later, he was pronounced deceased.

On Nov. 2nd, they identified and interviewed 18-year-old Dametrius Hilliard as a primary suspect. They then charged him with Murder, Attempted Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, and three counts of Shooting into Occupied Dwelling.

Yesterday, they identified and interviewed 19-year-old Taizojh Smith as a second suspect and also charged him with Murder, Attempted Murder, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury, and three counts of Shooting into Occupied Dwelling.

If you have any information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective.  Detective McCraw is the lead detective assigned to this case.  The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com.

North Carolina’s Most Sustainable Companies – DUK, LOW, BAC

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With expansions of renewable energy usage, LEED-certified building construction, and significant reductions in carbon emissions, combined with its continued focuses on social responsibility, Duke Energy, Lowes, and Bank of America were all just named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for North America.

Since 1999, the DJSI has evaluated the sustainability of leading companies worldwide.

In selecting the top performers in each business sector, the DJSI reviews companies on several general and industry-specific topics related to economic, environmental and social dimensions.

Among the topics are corporate governance, innovation management, environmental policy, climate strategy, human capital development and corporate citizenship.

The index is compiled annually by S&P Dow Jones and S&P Global.

This year’s report is available online.

Lets Get Started – The Beginners Guide to Starting a Business

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There is no getting around the fact that starting your own business is a huge commitment as it has a huge impact on your life and the lives of those around you. As such, it is important you are setting it up correctly and running it properly when everything is in place. 

Initially deciding how you want to set your business up can be an incredibly daunting prospect, especially if this is something you’ve never done before. Lucky for you, though, lots of other people have, and, as such, there is a lot of information out there that pertains specifically to setting up your business. 

This article has been put together to go through some different steps that are necessary to follow when it comes to setting up your business. This will all help you find and validate your money-making idea and assist with figuring out the most efficient ways that your marketing, shipping, and all-around sales strategy can be launched and run. 

Choose Your Business Idea 

One of the first steps necessary to get your online business going is figuring out what you actually want it to be. You will want to have an idea that is time-tested and has worked previously for other entrepreneurs. The idea doesn’t necessarily have to cost a lot and can instead be something that is a relatively low investment. That being said, regardless of how much you plan on spending on your idea, the best way to fully decide on the product you want to sell or the service you plan on offering is by asking the following questions: 

  • What’s the potential opportunity size?

The market size will more than likely be one that matches the ambition you have for your business. With that in mind, though, the size of your business and its specific niche is usually determined by a few other aspects. For instance, say the product you are selling does not have a huge range of customers, but the price of the product is high and requires repurchase multiple times. Although the market size may not be huge in terms of actual consumers, there is still plenty of chance to make a sufficient amount with said product. 

  • Is it a trend, fad, or a growing market? 

A great step that you should take when starting a business is ensuring you tap into the market before you actually start. The trajectory of a market is much more important than what the market’s current state is. As such, if you want to go the distance, then it is not enough to capitalize on a fad, but you will need to start a business that operates in a market that will continue to grow. 

  • What is your competition like? 

Take some time to consider what the competitive landscape for your product looks like. Do you have a lot of different competitors, or are there very few? If you have a lot of other businesses that are trying to capitalize on your niche, this is usually a sign that the market is well established. This is good, as it ensures that the demand exists, but then at the same time, it’s going to be really difficult to stand out as a business. 

Choose a Name for Your Business 

Your businesses name is what you are going to be known by universally and will show up and follow you with every single task that you take on. Word of mouth is an important part of ensuring your growth, and it is going to be really hard for people to know about your business and pass on information if your name is not one that is instantly recognizable. 

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself in the early days, though, as the name that you come up with now isn’t necessarily going to be the one that you have to stick with forever. You should just keep things simple and focused to start with by finding a name that is easy for people to remember and say and also makes it clear what you do. 

Create your name with the below in mind: 

  • Keep it short and simple

One of the best ways to realize your business’s name isn’t simple enough is if people have to ask you to repeat the name. You shouldn’t be making customers work to have to remember your brand. Just one or two words are enough for your business name. 

  • Dare to be different 

If your market research is showing you that other businesses in your industry tend to have similar names or use names that rely on similar elements, then you should consider avoiding these elements and heading in a bit of a different direction. A lot of brands really underestimate the marketing upside of originality. 

  • Be original 

It’s also very important that you are ensuring your business’s name isn’t in use by another business, especially one of your competitors. Simply run a search in the countries you do business and make sure that there isn’t anyone else operating under the same name as you. 

Get Your Safety Nets in Place 

It is important that as soon as your business is set up, you are making sure that you are preparing for worst-case scenarios. This could mean setting aside a pot of money for if there are any unexpected outgoings with your business. It also means making sure that you have good health insurance in place for yourself and your employees to make sure everyone is covered if there is any kind of accident. For more information on this, you should head over to a site such as Zenefits and get some health insurance quotes from their marketplace. It is easy to get bogged down in your ambition when it comes to your business, but you need to make sure that you are staying grounded with how you move forward and ensure you have sufficient safety nets in place in case there are any unwanted nasty surprises. 

Write a Business Plan 

Having a well-written business plan is incredibly important. If you think of it as your idea is point A and having a successful business is point Z, your business plan is every other letter in the alphabet. It provides you with direction when you are trying to run your business and will help you execute your plans as you are forced to sit down and actually think about things methodically. 

Plans can sometimes not end up being relevant, but planning is absolutely everything. You’ll find a lot of entrepreneurs will not actually look at their plans once the wheels start turning, but they will also affirm that there is a lot of worth in thinking things over and researching your idea. Writing a business plan within the best business plan template is the perfect canvas on which you can do this as it will allow you to map out what you are doing and provides you with insight into how you can start, run and grow your entire operation. 

Conclusion 

Starting a business can be a daunting prospect as there is a lot for you to do. A lot of different business owners will have employed different tactics when it comes to launching their business; however, if you follow the above as a template, this will put you in the best position moving forward. 

30-Story High-Rise Planned For Prices Chicken Coop Site in South End

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South End is about to look even more like Uptown with the announcement of yet another high rise in the rapidly growing region of our city.

This afternoon, Catalyst Capital Partners and Stiles announced they will be building a 30-story tower on the site of what was once Charlotte’s most iconic chicken shacks.

According to Stiles, the new development will be an “ultra-luxury multifamily/mixed-use tower”. It’s currently planned to include 291 units of residential, 9,500 square feet of retail, and about 10,000 square feet of office space.

Construction is now set to begin in the 3rd quarter of 2022.

What do you think about the new tower?

Tech Projects Across NC Awarded $14 Million; New Grants for PSAP Collaborations Open

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More than $14 million in grants from the N.C. 911 Fund will support enhancements and upgrades to local 911 public safety answering points in 12 counties and cities and three statewide projects, while a new grant opportunity from the N.C. 911 Board offers $5 million for collaboration among 911 PSAPs.

The N.C. 911 Board has approved $8.45 million in grants to 12 local public safety answering points and $6 million for three statewide projects. The grants will fund improvements to 911 PSAPs, radio-and-dispatch equipment upgrades and creation of new PSAPs.

“The N.C. 911 Board is pleased to announce this year’s grant awards to enhance the state’s 911 technology to support PSAPs across North Carolina,” said L. V. Pokey Harris, executive director of the North Carolina 911 Board. “These grants ensure that PSAPs are equipped with the best resources to keep our state’s residents and visitors safe.”

Grant recipients include:

  • Alleghany County — new 911 facility project, $135,000
  • Boone Police Department — radio replacement project, $252,565.43
  • Burke County — system software acquisition and implementation, $135,303.57
  • Chowan County — radio system upgrade, $154,037.85
  • Cleveland County — regional 911 PSAP project, $3,525,591
  • Onslow County — system software acquisition and implementation, $925,982
  • Pasquotank-Camden 911 PSAP — radio system upgrade, $331,021.40
  • Perquimans County — upgraded equipment, $209,107.64
  • Polk County — new 911 facility project, $2,412,964
  • Robeson County — radio system upgrade, $ 106,899.99
  • Watauga County — upgraded equipment, $154,130.86
  • Wilson County — upgraded equipment, $108,250.50

The statewide projects include:

  • Orthoimagery System — $3,723,908
  • Data Analytics — $2,000,000
  • Interpretive Services Program — $290,000

In addition, the N.C. 911 Board is opening applications for the Priority One Collaboration Grants, which offer $5 million for consolidation and cooperative efforts between PSAPs. Learn more about what the Priority One Collaboration Grants cover and how to apply at: https://it.nc.gov/911grants.

The N.C. General Assembly created the 911 Board in 1998 to manage both landline and wireless 911 services in North Carolina, as well as related policies and procedures, and to administer the state’s 911 Fund. The fund is used to support equipment purchases for all 911 PSAPs in the state. The board is housed with the N.C. Department of Information Technology.