Charlotte’s Population Density Is Growing At An Alarming Rate

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charlotte-uptown-romare-bearden-parkIf you’ve driven through South End within the past 6 months, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the crazy amount of growth – new apartment complexes as far as the eye can see.

With the new light rail extension now complete, the same type of growth is expected all along Tryon St. and North Davidson St.

In addition to dozens of new apartment complexes approved, our city is also planning to build the new 1,300 acre river district, and the $683 million “Brooklyn Village” in Uptown.

According to many economists, by the year 2025, the greater Charlotte metro region will be home to over 2.8 million residents – the 10 county metro region now has 2.4 million residents. Within the city limits, our population is expected to grow from 827,000, to over 1.2 million in that same time.

Without any major new road projects (other than toll roads), and additional public transportation projects now only in the planning stages, our current growth levels could soon become unsustainable.

To put our current numbers in perspective, the company SpareFoot has put together a density comparison between Charlotte and other major cities around the world (most have far more transportation options than we currently do).

“Note that Charlotte’s city limits were used for this visualization, not the metro area. While some readers may object to the exclusion of surrounding locales, metro areas are not as well defined as city limits and that is often a matter of debate itself.”

Charlotte NC Storage Units on SpareFoot

Via SpareFoot Charlotte

How do you feel about Charlotte’s growth? 

Benefits Of Selling Your Home Online

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Selling your home is both an exciting and daunting phase in your life. It’s thrilling because you get a fresh start as you anticipate building your dreams on your new home. At the same time, the search for a buyer and transition once the sale is complete can be overwhelming.

Fortunately, there are now lots of alternatives on how you can sell your home aside from the traditional way of working with a listing agent. You can look for real estate investment companies such as www.nexushomebuyers.com and that specialize in purchasing properties for cash. Aside from having a listing agent or going to real estate investors, you can also promote your home online through various platforms.

Here are some benefits of selling your home online:

  1. Save Money on Advertising

The traditional way of selling a home involves paying loads of money for flyers and posters to promote your property. Now, the Internet has allowed ordinary homeowners to present their listing to the public. Whether you’re working with a real estate company or trying to sell your home on your own, social media sites are potent tools for those who are looking to save money on advertising.

These are a few of the best websites to post your property listing for free or a minimal fee:

  • Facebook – With its massive network, Facebook is one of the top places to post your listing. You take pictures of your property and publish a set of photos on the social media site. Plus, its Marketplace feature can promote your home to people in your area even if you aren’t connected on the website.
  • Twitter – The microblogging site has improved its visibility feature. You can pay the platform a minimal fee to promote a tweet containing pictures of your home to boost its reach. If your followers like or retweet your post, people who are following them can see your listing.
  • Instagram – Instagram has become one of the major platforms that allow people to sell their products online, even property listings, and reach their target audiences. The site also allows sponsored posts that show up to your intended demographic, depending on the photos and videos they liked. This means that if people recently viewed posts about homes in your area, it’s highly likely that they are looking for properties there and the app’s algorithm will show them your published images.
  1. Reach More Potential Buyers in Your Area

Online platforms, mainly social media websites, not only let you reach your intended audience, but they also allow you to set the variables of who gets to see your listing. This means that you can do more targeted marketing and choose to publish your post to users near your area.

Reaching potential buyers in your locality makes it easy for them to view your home in-person. House-viewing plays a significant role in converting prospects into paying customers. You can also deal with a cash home buyer for a faster transaction. Sell your Gainesville home today to a cash buyer to avoid dealing with demanding buyers, which can waste your time and money for out-of-your-pocket repairs. 

  1. Full Control of Your Listing

By selling online, you can control how much you’ll be charging for your home. However, you should know that most first-time home-sellers make the mistake of overpricing their listings, which only guarantees to put their homes on-sale for months without any movement.

You can set the price for your house by speaking with industry experts and getting their property valuation estimate. This way, you avoid putting off potential buyers through overpricing.

Another way you gain control of your listing is with the viewing schedule. You can have prospects schedule an appointment with you through your website or social media profiles to see your home in-person. By taking an active role in the sale of your property, you can answer any questions or concerns that potential buyers may have.

  1. Accurate Market Choices for the Buyer

If you decide to sign up for property portals, you’ll need to provide an in-depth description of your home along with elaborate photos as proof of your claims. This may be time-consuming, but it does allow buyers to set filters on what features they want, how many bedrooms they need, and other amenities that they desire to have for their home.

Conclusion

Selling your home online can open up a wide range of opportunities. You can save money on advertising by selling your property to home-buying companies like www.faircashdeal.com and taking advantage of social media websites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can also do more targeted marketing and reach your intended audience. Moreover, you get full control on your listing, particularly for the price and viewing of your property, as well as provide accurate market choices for potential buyers.

Should North Carolina Legalize Online Gambling?

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Gambling in North Carolina is largely illegal for both online and offline casinos. But isn’t it time the state did something about it? Over 20 states have permitted sports betting in the past one year and more jurisdictions are contemplating it.

Of course, NC lawmakers aren’t known for making laws because other states are doing it. But ever since New Jersey reported it was making over $100 million in revenues from casinos, numerous states have passed laws to legalize the industry.

Below, we delve into the issue deeper to find out what benefits or drawbacks legal gambling would have in Charlotte and NC at large.

Reasons Supporting Gambling Legalization:

  • The Federal Government’s Support

It’s been years since the then assistant attorney general James Cole announced that the Wire Act didn’t limit prohibited states from regulating online gambling. That means states have always been at liberty of providing licenses to casinos without any harassment from the Federal Government.

Last year, the Supreme Court made another crucial ruling to give states the authority to regulate sports betting. Through a bill sponsored by New Jersey, the Supreme Court ruled that states had all measures necessary to decide whether to legalize sports wagering or not.

After the win, New Jersey began to license online and offline casinos immediately. The state didn’t offer just about anyone a license, though. The top online casinos in New Jersey have been in the industry for decades. Some originated in the UK where they’ve been operating long before the Internet came along. 

After New Jersey, Arkansas, Delaware, and DC have since legalized sports betting. Some states only allow offline betting shops but others allow both remote gambling and in-person betting. There are also states like Rhode Island that legalized online betting but blocked brick-and-mortar betting.

  • Massive Revenues

Before the Supreme Court decisions, New Jersey expected to earn over $120 million in tax collection annually. That day is yet to come but the state recently reported to have earned $25 million from gambling companies since June 2018. NJ also announced casinos had contributed $221 million to the state as revenue. 

Around the country, states placed taxes of at least 5% to each casino they license. Arkansas, for example, taxes casinos earning less than $150 million per year 13% as tax. Companies that garner more than that amount pay a higher 20% rate in tax.

DC, on the other hand, provides tiered licensed such that some companies pay $250,000 while others pay $50,000 or $5,000 albeit with limitations. Illinois charges casinos 5% while Lowa-based casinos must pay 6.75% of the revenues as tax. 

If NC were to earn at least $10 million in taxes $100 million in revenues, it would be a significant contribution. Keep in mind NJ earned $120 million in one year, meaning it could earn over $1 billion within one decade.

  • Support from Residents

When David Tepper became the Carolina Panthers’ owner last year, he used his first press conference to advocate for legal sports betting in NC

“You think about the fans and you want to keep the fans in the building,” he said. “Eventually, it’s going to hit North and South Carolina. It has to, from a revenue standpoint.”

Tepper pointed out the issue of poor payment for teachers as one of the reasons North Carolina should legalize the industry.

“You have issues with paying teachers and other things down here, and tax revenue, so it’s inevitable,” he said. 

Besides the billionaire, NC lawmakers have admitted before illegal gambling is a noteworthy problem in the state. In July this year, the city of Trinity made news countrywide after authorities busted a handful of illegal casino operators. Deputies confiscated cash, slot machines, and other gaming tables in the establishment.

But that didn’t end the debate on whether NC should allow casinos. Earlier in March, lawmakers passed a bill to allow Cherokee Indians to provide sports betting services in the state’s two casinos. NC expects to earn at least $14 million more in revenue by making the move.

  • To Curb Illegal Gambling

Authorities may have arrested a handful of people in Trinity in July, but thousands more gamble at home. With offshore casinos now accepting US-based players, there’s almost no way the state can end illegal betting. 

Again, neither North Carolina nor the US has the authority to punish offshore casinos that offer their services to Americans. And now that the Federal Government passed that mandate to states, the best way for NC to eliminate illegal gambling is to legalize it. 

NC already runs a lottery department, after all. It could let the same department regulate gambling establishments. That way, it will effectively tax new casinos but at the same time encourage NC residents to gamble legally. 

Some Drawbacks of Legalizing Online Gambling:

  • It’s Addictive

Online casino games are wildly addictive, and that can be a problem for some people. If there are no measures to help vulnerable players, online gambling can lead to unlimited financial losses for players. It can also wreck homes if one spouse becomes an uncontrollable gambler. 

  • Might Encourage Minors to Gamble

If not properly regulated, underage kids could find their way to online casinos. And because most of them don’t earn, they could misuse their parents’ money. There’s also the problem of kids getting addicted, or getting distracted from their school lives.

  • Could Compromise Sports Integrity

Another issue anti-gambling brigades use to defend their opposition to sports wagering is that it can contribute to cheating. Some players, especially unpaid college athletes, could get tempted to accept money to lose games.

It’s happened before and continues to be a problem even in states where gambling is illegal. That’s probably the reason why most states legalizing sports betting are choosing to ban gambling on in-state NCAA teams.

To Conclude

Multiple states have legalized online gambling in the past five years. And after the Supreme Court gave states authorities to regulate sports wagering last year, it’s probably time NC followed that route. There are numerous benefits to gain if the state permitted casinos to operate locally. There are also a few drawbacks, but they could be mitigated with proper regulations. 

17-Year-Old NC Musician Announces 31-City U.S. Tour

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North Carolina native, Coby James, has signed on with the veteran music management company Deep South Entertainment, who also represents a diverse and successful roster including Stryper, Branan Murphy, Parmalee, and Marcy Playground.

James recently released his debut single, “Paradise”, which has already seen impressive numbers on all streaming platforms, and will be releasing his debut EP on September 27 entitled “Space for Theory.”

An openly devout Christian, Coby shares what drives him the most: “I want people to see my perspective as a teenager going through life. Hopefully they see where I find my hope and peace and that God is where I find my strength.”

Sam Fisher will oversee James’ management, along with company founder and CEO Dave Rose.

“From the minute we first heard Coby in a small bar as an opening act, we knew there was something special – and apparently others are hearing it as well. He’s the kind of artist you want to spend the next 20 years of your life working with – an amazing talent with a sincere and convicted heart for his message,” says Rose.

Coby James kicks of his U.S. tour with direct support for Danny Gokey on September 26 in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The Gokey / James tour dates are as follows:

September 26, 2019 Lafayette, LA

September 27, 2019 Covington, LA

September 28, 2019 Sunnyvale, TX

September 29, 2019 Houston, TX

October 3, 2019 Warner Robbins, GA

October 4, 2019 Mobile, AL

October 5, 2019 Knoxville, TN

October 6, 2019 Botkins, OH

October 10, 2019 Mansfield, OH

October 11, 2019 McMurray, PA

October 12, 2019 Myrtle Beach, SC

October 13, 2019 Lexington, SC

October 17, 2019 Jacksonville, FL

October 18, 2019 Winter Park, FL

October 19, 2019 Port St. Lucie, FL

October 20, 2019 Naples, FL

October 24, 2019 Hudsonville, MI

October 25, 2019 Elkhart, IN

October 26, 2019 Lexington, KY

October 27, 2019 Anderson, IN

November 1, 2019 Trussville, AL

November 2, 2019 Huntington, WV

November 3, 2019 Camp Hil, PA

November 7, 2019 Lutherville, MD

November 8, 2019 Cherryville, PA

November 9, 2019 Norfolk, VA

November 10, 2019 Richmond, VA

November 14, 2019 Bentonville, AR

November 15, 2019 Memphis, TN

November 16, 2019 Harrisburg, IL

November 17, 2019 Naperville, IL

100-Year-Old Ice Cream Shop in Gastonia Makes The Best Milkshake, According to USA Today

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One of the Charlotte region’s oldest restaurants has just been ranked as having the best milkshake in North Carolina.

Gastonia’s century-old Tony’s Ice Cream was just named in USA Today’s “best place to get a milkshake in every state“.

According to the report, “Homemade ice cream is the basis for the shakes at this family-run establishment just west of Charlotte. More than 25 choices are offered, including such uncommon flavors as chocolate Butterfinger, banana pudding, Almond Joy and cherry cheesecake.”

 

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Current owner Louis Coletta’s grandfather, Carmine Coletta, first launched the company in 1915, starting with a wooden ice cream cart that was pulled by a horse down the dirt streets of Gastonia.

Tony’s Ice Cream on Franklin Blvd. now serves an average of 1,000 milkshakes and 600 hot dogs every day of the year.

Have you been to Tony’s? Do you think they make the best milkshakes?

Officials Announce Groundbreaking Date For Panthers’ New South Carolina Headquarters

Now that the state of South Carolina has approved a massive $115 million tax break for the Panther’s new headquarters facility in Rock Hill, everyone’s wondering when it will be built.

At a meeting in Columbia this past week, Panthers VP and COO Mark Hart announced an official target date.

According to Hart, the sprawling complex, now being referred to as “Football City USA”, will have a groundbreaking by next April with a hopeful first phase opening by August 2022.

The new complex will be built on a 200-acre parcel just off I-77 between Dave Lyle Boulevard and Eden Terrace.

Courtesy of the Carolina Panthers

According to Panthers officials, it will feature an orthopedic sports medicine facility, 2 practice fields, including an indoor stadium with 10,000 seats.

The new project will also likely attract a new corporate headquarters and several residential projects.

What do you think about the Panthers moving down to South Carolina? 

This Weekend’s 19th Annual Charlotte Pride Expecting Over 165,000 In Uptown

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The 19th annual Charlotte Pride parade and festivities will be taking over the streets of Uptown Charlotte this weekend.

The event organized for the first time in 2001 in Marshall Park, with most attenders being anti-gay protesters.

Now, just 18 years later, the event has officially become the largest annual parade in the City of Charlotte.

This year, Charlotte Pride is expecting to see over 165,000 attenders flock to the center of our city between today and Sunday.

Veterans Bridge Home Announce New Veterans Appreciation Scholarships

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Free Meals And Services in Charlotte on Veterans DayWGU North Carolina Chancellor Catherine Truitt made a special trip from Durham to Charlotte yesterday to attend Veterans Bridge Home’s monthly Uptown Lunch and make a special announcement with VBH Executive Director Blake Bourne. WGU North Carolina is partnering with VBH to offer eight Veterans Appreciation Scholarships to military veterans in the greater Charlotte area.

One scholarship valued at $10,000 plus seven scholarships valued at $2,500 will be awarded to military veterans in VBH’s ten-county service area, consisting of Cabarrus, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Union and York Counties. Winners of the $2,500 scholarships will be credited with $625 per six-month term, renewable for up to four terms, and the winner of the $10,000 scholarship will be credited with $2,500 per term. Tuition is about $3,225 per six-month term for most WGU degree programs.

Scholarships will be awarded based on a candidate’s confirmed veteran status, academic record, readiness for online study, and current competency, as well as other considerations. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15, 2019. More information on the Veterans Appreciation Scholarships can be found at www.wgu.edu/vbh.

“Veterans bring a wealth of practical experience in leadership, management, or other technical skills, but some do not have the bachelor’s or graduate degrees that hiring managers are looking for in job applicants,” said Blake Bourne, executive director for Veterans Bridge Home. “These WGU North Carolina Veterans Appreciation Scholarships offer veterans a great opportunity to realize their educational and professional goals while reducing the financial barriers to achievement.”

“We briefly mentioned the scholarships earlier this year at a Charlotte Knights game where WGU hosted more than 130 veterans and their family members,” said Truitt. “I am happy to announce the official launch of the Veterans Appreciation Scholarships in partnership with Veterans Bridge Home. We recognize the important work VBH does and hope that these scholarships will assist them in their mission of helping veterans transition to civilian life after military service.”

WGU North Carolina is an affiliate of the national nonprofit online Western Governors University. WGU has been recognized for 11 consecutive years by Military Advanced Education & Transition as a “Top School,” and for seven consecutive years as a Military Friendly® School. Presently, about 18 percent of the nearly 3,300 North Carolina students enrolled in WGU are affiliated with the military community. WGU is fully accredited and offers more than 60 bachelor’s and master’s degrees in information technology, business, healthcare and K-12 education.

For more information about WGU North Carolina, visit https://northcarolina.wgu.edu/. To learn more about Veterans Bridge Home, visit https://veteransbridgehome.org/.

NCDOT Adding 2 General Purpose Lanes Both Directions On I-77 Between SC and Uptown

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NCDOT will be adding 2 lanes in each direction of I-77 between the South Carolina state line and Brookshire Freeway near Uptown.

The project will increase the interstate from 6 lanes to 10 lanes along the route.

The state had wanted to start the project in 2027, but due to recent budget constraints, the new 9.6-mile $1.23 billion project is now slated to start in 2029.

The timing was a factor of NCDOT’s new project ranking system.

According to North Carolina’s State Transportation Improvement Program:

“Strategic prioritization uses transportation data and the input of local government partners and the public to generate scores and rankings of projects across the state. Multiple
public input opportunities were provided during the spring and summer of 2016 regarding the submittal of new projects and the assignment of local points to projects. This input
assisted each Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Rural Planning Organization (RPO) and NCDOT’s transportation divisions to produce criteria-based methodologies
which directed how local points were allocated.” 

What do you think about the new widening project? 

 

Mosquito Carrying West Nile Virus Detected in North Carolina

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The deadly West Nile Virus has just been found in North Carolina.

New Hanover County found the positive sample of the virus was found in a mosquito in a trap near Greenville Loop Rd.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the West Nile Virus include:

  • High fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.
  • Severe illness can occur in people of any age; however, people over 60 years of age are at greater risk. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk.
  • Recovery from severe illness might take several weeks or months. Some effects to the central nervous system might be permanent.
  • About 1 out of 10  people who develop severe illness affecting the central nervous system die.

There are currently no known vaccines or treatments.

The North Carolina Department of Health recommends dumping any standing water on your property, including flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths and pet bowls. The EPA recommends using natural BTI on standing water to quickly kill mosquito larvae.

They also encourage people wear insect repellent containing DEETpicaridinessential oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 before going outside on humid days.