Ball Announces Plans To Build $383 Million Facility in Concord To Support Red Bull

0

Ball Corporation, makers of aluminum cans and glass jars, has just announced plans to invest $383.8 million in Concord to build a new aluminum can manufacturing facility to support Red Bull’s new $740 million facility at the old Phillip Morris site.

Ball will make high-capacity cans for Red Bull and other drink makers around the Charlotte region in a new 800,000 sq. ft. facility.

“The beverage manufacturing campus in Cabarrus County is now a billion-dollar operation with the addition of Ball,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “This is a powerful illustration of the opportunities and confidence that growing companies have in North Carolina’s resilient economy, robust infrastructure and diverse manufacturing workforce.”

Ball will be adding an additional 220 jobs (in addition to Red Bull’s 400 jobs) with an average starting salary of $70,555 to Concord’s workforce, creating a potential annual payroll impact of more than $15.5 million per year. Cabarrus County’s current average annual wage is $41,255.

Duke Energy Reaches 10,000-Megawatt Renewable Energy Milestone

0

With the 144-megawatt (MW) Pflugerville Solar facility coming online today, Duke Energy reached a significant milestone – it now owns, operates, or purchases more than 10,000 MW of solar and wind energy throughout the United States from both its regulated and nonregulated businesses.

As one of the nation’s top renewable energy providers, Duke Energy renewables portfolio includes nearly 200 sites in 22 states, with over 1,000 megawatts of new projects under construction throughout the country, including Florida, Texas, and the Carolinas.

At peak output, the company’s current renewables portfolio capacity generates enough energy to serve the equivalent of approximately 2.4 million homes and businesses.

“Renewables are playing a major role as we make strong progress toward our ambitious climate goals of at least 50% carbon reduction by 2030 and net-zero by 2050,” said Brian Savoy, Duke Energy’s executive vice president, chief strategy and commercial officer. “This next decade will be our biggest ever, and we’re well on our way to exceeding our decarbonization goals by growing our renewables portfolio to 16 GW by 2025 and 24 GW by 2030.”

In addition to carbon reduction and the benefits of creating a diverse energy infrastructure, solar and wind development fosters economic development and job creation in the areas that Duke Energy serves. Currently, Duke Energy employs nearly 700 wind and solar technicians, project developers, support staff, and third-party contract workers, as well as provides more than $29 million in annual lease payments to local landowners. Additionally, at peak construction, renewable energy development generates hundreds of jobs in the communities where our projects are located.

“For more than a decade, Duke Energy has been delivering low-cost renewable power to our customers,” said Chris Fallon, president of Duke Energy Sustainable Solutions. “These projects deliver significant economic and environmental benefits, while providing unique sustainability solutions for our customers and communities.”

Looking ahead

Duke Energy has set a goal of reaching 16,000 MW of renewables by 2025 and 47,000 MW by 2050.

Renewable energy projects currently under development in the company’s regulated and nonregulated footprint include:

Project Megawatts Location In-service date
Broad River Solar* 50 MW Cleveland County, N.C. End of 2021
Stony Knoll Solar* 22.6 MW Surry County, N.C. End of 2021
Speedway Solar* 22.6 MW Cabarrus County, N.C. End of 2021
Woodfin Solar 5 MW Buncombe County, N.C. End of 2021
Duette Solar 74.5 MW Manatee County, Fla. End of 2021
Charlie Creek Solar 74.9 MW Hardee County, Fla. End of 2021
Bay Trail Solar 74.9 MW Citrus County, Fla. Early 2022
Fort Green Solar 74.9 MW Hardee County, Fla. Early 2022
Sandy Creek Solar 74.9 MW Bay County, Fla. Mid-2022
Bay Ranch Solar 74.9 MW Bay County, Fla. End of 2022
Hardeetown Solar 74.9 MW Levy County, Fla. End of 2022
Hildreth Solar 74.9 MW Suwannee County, Fla. End of 2022
Pisgah Ridge Solar* 250 MW Navarro County, Texas End of 2022
High Springs Solar 74.9 Alachua County, Fla. Early 2023

How students can organize their workspace

0

A messy desk often prevents you from concentrating on your studies and work tasks. Finding a pen and the right notebook takes a lot of time, and the bunch of things on the desk confuses you and makes you wonder why it’s even there. Today in our article we will tell you how order on your desk helps you learn productively.

Productive learning begins with the workplace and its organization. The right work environment sets the mind to the right rhythm. We believe that a clean and organized workspace increases efficiency, concentration, and the ability to find all the things you need.

Change the arrangement of things on your desk

When it’s time to rearrange things on your desk, don’t put them in their old places. Think of a new order to make efficient use of the free space. Organize items in an order that will inspire you to be productive at the table.

Rearrange things on the table – a small trick that takes away the monotony of daily work and breaks up the familiar look.

Make a special whiteboard

If you often have to remember and write down different things (dates, numbers, events, tasks), in addition to the notepad, install a planning board next to the workplace. Divide it into 4 sections – “Tasks”, “Priority”, “In Progress”, “Done” – and move stickers with tasks in these boxes. This way all the tasks are always in front of your eyes. And you won’t have to buy a persuasive essay at the last minute because you forgot you were assigned one. This method not only helps with planning but also diversifies your room with bright colors.

Add something special

Your goal is a clean and organized workspace, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Use decorations (photos, posters, swag) to add some personality.

Many students hang not only pictures but also math formulas and English words. This helps with memorization with visual memory.

Also for motivation, hang up inspirational images and aphorisms to motivate yourself to work hard.

Digitize

Transfer all your notes to your smartphone or computer and get rid of the notes stuck on your monitor, wall, or desk. Digital notes aren’t as flashy and don’t “bug you” all day, but you can set a notification when you need to go back to a given task.

Cleaning Ritual

Make it a good habit to tidy your desk at certain times. For example, the Thursday before you go home. Or on Friday, if you’re sure you can stick around for 10 minutes at the end of the workweek. Throw out the trash, excess papers, sort out the desk surface and drawers, and check the space under the desk. If you do this regularly, you can even do it in five minutes.

Trash can within arm’s reach

It’s no fun to play office basketball this way, but you can throw away unwanted paper, wrappers, or a broken pencil just by extending your arm. Without the risk of collecting junk on the table until it takes up all the space. But don’t put the trash can in the most visible place, better under the desk or in a corner.

Top tips

  • The height of the table depends on your height. It is important that in a sitting position the distance between your knees and the tabletop is 20 cm.
  • The height of the chair should be adjusted so that your thighs are parallel to the floor and your feet stand on the floor.
  • The chair should be as comfortable as possible and with a soft surface.
  • Your chair should be equipped with a backrest. An uncomfortable chair and poor posture affect your health and mood.
  • Armrests are desirable: they should be placed so that you can bend your elbows at an angle of 90 degrees.
  • The lamp should be on the left if you are right-handed and on the right, if you are left-handed.

Major Heat Wave Coming To The Charlotte Region This Week

0

Charlotte is about to experience a heat wave this week with the heat index expected to exceed 100 degrees today, tomorrow, and Friday.

A heat wave is technically defined as 3 or more consecutive days with a high of 90 or more.

According to Weather Underground, the next 3 days will have highs exceeding 95 degrees and ‘feels like’ temperatures exceeding 100 degrees and humidity toping 75%.

The elderly, young children, and anyone who suffers from heat sensitivity, respiratory conditions, or heart or lung disease should limit their time outside next week.

If you’re planning on spending an extended amount of time outside this week, make sure you wear breathable clothes and consider getting a small fan, personal air conditioner, or evaporative cooling towel.

Stay safe out there!

Congressional Action On Transit Funding Could Transform Charlotte

0

A new report released today by the Alliance for a Just Society shows that if Congress acts this summer to fully fund public transit — including operational funds — the Charlotte region would see significant economic and environmental benefits.

For more than 40 years, federal transportation funding has been out of balance, with only a small share going to public transit. This disinvestment has deprived residents of Charlotte of the frequent, reliable, and accessible bus and train service they need to get to work and meet other day-to-day needs. The result is lost job opportunities, a setback in racial equity, and depressed economic activity for the state as a whole.

The disinvestment in frequent, reliable transit blocks economic opportunity for Black residents in Charlotte in particular. Nationally, 60 percent of all public transit riders nationally are people of color, and one-quarter are Black. Black people across the country are more likely than whites to count on buses, trains, and other forms of public transit as their primary transportation option, and are more likely to use public transportation to get to work. People of color who take public transit to work are more likely than their white counterparts to have commutes that take 60 minutes or longer, each direction.

“In the Charlotte area, we know that the need for fast and frequent public transit service is particularly high in the so-called ‘crescent’ of north, west, and east Charlotte neighborhoods where fewer people own cars and jobs are less abundant.” said Shannon Binns, Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte. “We’re encouraged to see that the current high-frequency bus routes are within the crescent. Charlotte area residents need more frequent and reliable service across this area and across the system. This report shows clearly that a significant investment by the federal government would increase economic opportunity, racial equity, and help address the climate crisis. We need Washington to act, and fully fund transit. We cannot afford for them to miss this opportunity.”

This summer, Congress has an opportunity to make an historic investment in public transit, including funding to put more buses on the road and more trains on the tracks. With $20 billion in annual transit services funding, Congress can help reduce wait times, increase bus and train frequency, expand service, promote racial justice, and tackle climate change.

Today’s report shows how increased federal investment could spur service increases ranging from 40 to 184% percent across North Carolina’s major metropolitan regions, including Charlotte, Asheville, Concord, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Hickory, Myrtle Beach – Socastee (NC-SC), Raleigh, Wilmington, and Winston-Salem.

What do you think about the plan?

Bali: Why Tourists Love This Tropical Holiday Destination

0

For the backpackers, nature lovers, honeymooners, surfers, etc., Bali is considered an amazing island of Indonesia. It attracts millions of tourists each year, and one can enjoy its mystic blue waters and green meadows.

People of Bali are mainly into farming, especially they have rice fields but they also run many tourist spots and offer a variety of activities. They like gaming in any form, whether online, offline, or on the beachfront alike. If you are on the move in Bali and want to play online roulette games during spare time, explore the game category at a reputed Asian casino, NetBet. You can even get to play the live dealer games too.

What’s best about traveling to this tropical location is that Travelocity and Thomas Cook offer many crazy deals and discounts. You can use the codes offered and use them to spend a luxurious Bali holiday while booking with them.

Things To Do In Bali

  • Go for Surfing

If you are a surfer, then Nusa Lembongan is the best place for you. It is near Nusa Penida, and they are just 45 minutes away from Nusa Dua. Here, travelers can sail with sharks and big rays. You can find the best diving spots at Menjangan Island that offers the anchor wreck, caves, reef flat, and eel garden. The West Bali National Park is best for trekking and exploring natural flora and fauna.

  • Experience the Unique Culture

Apart from its amazing beaches, Bali also offers a beautiful cultural scene and traditions.  The natives from the Island hold celebrations and ceremonies that can be enjoyed by the tourists too. You can participate in their kissing festival, getting traditional tattoos and piercings on the body, walking through the monster parade, offering the dumplings made out of rice to the ancestors, and much more. These festivals laden with cultural touch, music, and dance attract many tourists.

  • Go for a Spa Day

Balinese Spa provides total relaxation to the full-body after a tiring day out at the beach or in the markets. It will not only help you to relax but will also rejuvenate your senses and fill you up with loads of energy. The Spa at places like Soori Bali Spa, Fivelements Bali Spa, Bliss Sanctuary for Women, Soulshine, and Goddess Retreat Bali are a few renowned places. You can opt for holistic healing, massage therapies, Neurotherapy, culinary gatherings, revitalizing your body, and much more.

  • Enjoy Seafood

Bali is mainly known for its seafood that you can get at any restaurant or hotel. The place offers delicious dishes, but they are often spicy. Their exceptional food is Babi Guling, a roasted suckling pig. Moreover, Ayam Betutu is a lip-smacking smoked stuffed duck wrapped in bamboo leaves. 

  • Indulge in Adventure Activities

Bali has something for everyone and so for the adventure seekers too. You can go surfing, scuba diving, or hiking in the wilderness here. Not only will you learn to surf, but you can slide down the natural waterslide in the Aling Aling Waterfall too. Go diving and enjoy walking on the seabed too. You can hike in the lush green forests of Borneo to watch the monkeys and magnificent bird species, go to an off-beat place like Komodo National Park, Wakatobi is the best place for snorkeling and scuba diving, and you can even go rafting too.

Conclusion

Bali is a place for everyone who wants to experience the natural beauty and traditions all in one place. So, beat the heat or go hiking this monsoon at this tropical destination. You can get many fair deals on hotels, resorts, spas, and flights through Expedia.

Wondering What Attracts Mice To Your Home?

0

Dealing with kitchen mice or any other type of mice is never a pleasant activity, is it? And yet, it’s a surprisingly common concern for homeowners all across the United States. If that’s also a problem for you, it might be a good idea to start looking into it, and the first step is figuring out what is attracting the rodents into your property, in the first place.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common attraction points for mice, and what you can do to eliminate them, or at the very least, minimize them.

First, educate yourself.

Yes, you need to know what’s attracting the mice, and this article aims to help you with that. But you also need to learn more about rodents, things like prevention, possible diseases carried, and so on. This is why you should take some time to read about these things. Websites like mousecontrol.org offer a hoard of information on the matter that may prove useful to all homeowners, invaded or otherwise!

Moving on to the attraction points themselves…

What elements exactly are bringing mice to your house?

Like pretty much any other wild animal, mice are attracted to human homes for two reasons: food and shelter. The first thing you need to understand is that mice have a very broad and general understanding of food. They’re not just looking for cheese, as popular cartoons would have you believe, but rather anything that might prove edible. Some common foods that have been known to attract mice include:

  • Meat;
  • Fruits, berries, etc.;
  • Nuts and seeds;
  • Grains;
  • Pet food;
  • Leftovers and trash.

So pretty much, anything you’ve got edible in your home, it’s quite likely that a mouse will come by and try to eat it. This is why you have to take really good care with the way you package and store your food. Experts recommend that you don’t keep food out in the open, otherwise, you’re practically inviting the rodents in. Similarly, you’ll want to pack up your food in airtight containers that will make food difficult to get to. While mice are hungry, they’re small and they know it, so if they see you haven’t got any readily available source of food, they’re quite likely to move on.

Keep in mind that mice are also looking for water, so leaky pipes, pet bowls, and other sources may increase your chances of attracting rodents.

Lastly, make sure you clean your home regularly and avoid leaving dirty plates out for long. Scraps and crumbs that might not seem like much trouble to the eye can be a valuable meal for a mouse, so vacuum up, and try not to spill!

That brings us to the other reason why mice are flocking to your home – shelter. Generally, mice will be attracted by warmth, which isn’t something you can really remove. However, you can make it difficult for them to get to it. Usually, this involves inspecting your property regularly, looking for cracks, holes, and other possible entry points, and fixing them as quickly as possible. The harder it is for a mouse to get in, the more likely it is to give up.

Have a professional inspect your home.

Often, it’s a great idea to call a professional and have them inspect your home preemptively. That way, they can catch any issues before they become full-blown problems, and advise you on how to keep rats and mice away from your home. If you’re interested, you can find professional wildlife removal services at easttnwildlifemanagement.com, so make sure to check it out!

Everything You Need To Know About Mortgages In 2021

0

Thinking of buying a house this year? 

Or have all the technical financial terms put you off? 

There’s a lot more to buying a house in 2021 than finding a ‘For Sale’ sign and slapping down an offer. There’s so much to keep track of and a million little requirements bound to go over your head. In all likelihood though, you keep coming across a very familiar, but not quite understood term. Mortgages. 

Mortgages are an important, make-or-break piece of the property buying puzzle, but they’re not impossible to comprehend. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about mortgages, from what they do to how to get your own. 

What is a mortgage?

Let’s start at the top, what exactly is a mortgage? 

In simple terms, a mortgage is a type of loan you can use to buy or refinance a home. Most typically, mortgages are used to help people buy a house who lack the cash upfront to purchase one. 

Who Gets A Mortgage?

The vast majority of people who purchase a home do so with the help of a mortgage.

Mortgages are a necessity if you can’t afford the full cost of a home out of pocket. In some cases, opting for a mortgage makes financial sense, as investors sometimes mortgage properties to free up funds for other investments. 

To qualify for a loan, a buyer is required to meet certain eligibility checks. A person requesting a mortgage will almost certainly need the following to be accepted:

  • Stable, reliable income
  • A debt-to-income ratio of no more than 50%
  • A decent credit score

These factors will be covered in more detail at the end of the article. 

What’s the difference between a mortgage and a standard loan?

A loan describes a financial transaction where one party receives a lump sum as long as they agree (and can prove they have the ability to) pay the money back. 

Mortgages are just loans designed specifically for property financing. 

Mortgages are “secured” loans. This means the borrower promises collateral to the lender in the event of payments stopping In the case of a mortgage, the collateral on offer is the home itself. Stop making payments and you risk losing possession of your home, a process known as foreclosure. 

Do I need one?

The question of whether or not you need a loan is one only you and your financial advisors can answer. 

Typically, mortgages are designed to help people who cannot afford the full payment towards buying a house, which encompasses the vast majority of property buyers around the world. 

However, there are cases in which even those with the capital may want to opt for a mortgage, allowing them to delay the investment. 

More than likely you will need a mortgage, but there are alternatives you can explore such as bad credit mortgages and self-employed mortgages, although they come with their own risks.  

Tips for acquiring your first mortgage 

Now that we have a clearer picture of what a mortgage is, let’s take a look at tips for acquiring one. 

Keep an eye on your credit score

Before you even start thinking of applying for a mortgage, get a copy of your credit report. You can do so through credit reference agencies including Equifax. 

This allows you to see the crucial data lenders will access when they review your application. 

If the score isn’t looking all that good, don’t fear. A bad credit score isn’t a nail in the coffin of your property purchasing dreams. There are lots of simple ways you can boost yours, from signing yourself up to the electoral roll to closing down credit card accounts you no longer use. Most typically a bad credit score is being influenced by unpaid bills, so make sure you’ve wrapped up any loose ends from old properties. 

Shop around

Not all mortgages are created equal. With lenders having their own personal risk assessment processes and requirements, a better offer might just be around the corner. 

This is why many buyers tend to use a mortgage broker to help them find the best deal. By comparing rates from providers like Breezeful, you can get a better picture of what’s out there and use the broker’s extensive local or national knowledge to bargain a better deal. 

However, once you’ve started a mortgage application, resist the urge to chop and change or search for a cheaper deal. This can damage your relationship with lenders and add unnecessary delays to the process. 

Stick with your job (for now)

Stable employment is one of the biggest factors in determining the kind of mortgage you’ll be applicable for, and whether you’ll get one at all! 

The majority of lenders want to see applicants who have been with the same employers for a decent length of time. So, if you’re considering switching jobs, it’s a good idea to hang on until your mortgage is in place. There is no need to worry about a low-income salary because a family member or loved one can help you through a joint borrower sole proprietor (JBSP) mortgage.

If you have recently changed jobs, that’s not necessarily a problem, but a spotty job history with many short-term stays could put the majority of leading lenders off. Hold out on approaching lenders a little longer, just in case. 

The bigger your initial deposit, the better

It pays to go in big. 

If you can afford it or have the time to save, a big deposit can open you up to a range of better mortgage opportunities.

Lenders reserve their best rates for applicants with hefty pockets, so a strong initial deposit might just get you moving towards your dream house soon. You’ll also see the benefits of lower monthly payments with a better deal. 

Mortgages continue to be one of the most important rugs to climb on the property ladder. But once you have one, you’re in a strong position to acquire the house of your dreams.

While they can seem overwhelming, hopeful this guide has provided some insight. Remember, there is so much you can do to make this an easier process, from working with local experts to buying alongside another person.

Rents in Charlotte up 2.7% Over Past Month – August 2021 Rental Report

0

This month our national rent index jumped another 2.5%, tying last month’s record-setting growth. With inflation concerns heating up, the national median rent has now increased by 11.5% in 2021, and is 9.4% above the pre-pandemic level from March 2020.

Rents in Charlotte have increased 2.7% month-over-month, compared to 2.5% nationally. Month-over-month growth in Charlotte ranks #44 among the nation’s 100 largest cities. Our year-over-year rent growth here in Charlotte currently stands at 13.3%, compared to -2.7% at this time last year. Median rents in Charlotte currently stand at $1206 for a 1-bedroom apartment and $1348 for a two-bedroom.

Rents are still below pre-pandemic levels in a handful of pricey markets (e.g., San Francisco, NYC), but even in these cities prices are quickly rebounding. In fact, rents are now increasing in virtually all of the nation’s 100 largest cities.

For more analysis of the newest monthly data, check out the full August Rent Report here.

This Morning An Earthquake Shook The Church of God of Prophecy North of Charlotte

0

This morning, a 2.1 magnitude earthquake shook the town of Mocksville, about halfway between Charlotte and Greensboro.

The latitude, longitude, and depth coordinates of the quake (35.839°N 80.542°W – 4.8 km depth) puts the epicenter exactly 2.98 miles under the Church of God of Prophecy in Mocksville, NC.

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.”

Did you feel this morning’s quake in Mocksville?