Business Today - May 2017

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Business Today NC

May 2017 Published monthly

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Business Intelligence for the Golden Crescent: Lake Norman • Cabarrus • University City

NEWS INSIDE CHARLOTTE METRO BUSINESSES GROWING

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Volume 16, Number 2 $1.50

Growth takes a highway here

Alcohol:

Raise glass for NC business

Page Page22

PICKING YOUR SALES TEAM

Don’t overlook the introverts Page 10

CABARRUS

HOT PROPERTIES

Pages 21

If everyone works from home, why is there traffic?

Pages 6-7

319 Windemere Isle Road in Statesville sold for $900,000

Davidson Town Commissioner Brian Jenest credits the visionary leadership of town officials starting in the early nineties who set development limits that would help the town grow but keep its smalltown, collegiate charm.

“We’re sort of drowning in success,” said Jenest, adding the town’s population has tripled to around 12,000 people over the past quarter-century.

According to the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce study of 3,142 counties, Lancaster County, S.C. was ranked as the 49th fastest-growing county with 16.4 percent growth in population from 2010-16; Mecklenburg County was ranked 71st with 14.2 percent growth; York County, S.C. was See GROWTH page 18

See ALCOHOL page 19

‘Drowning in success’

RECORDS Transactions Mecklenburg 15 Mooresville 15 Foreclosures Cabarrus 15 Mecklenburg 15

Mooresville 16 Corporations Cabarrus 16 Mecklenburg 16 Mooresville 16

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Mecklenburg towns of Cornelius, Huntersville and Davidson were included in the top 10 fastest-growing suburbs of Charlotte.

Such rapid growth isn’t a surprise for the local municipalities in these studies.

Kannapolis City Manager Mike Legg said the city has been preparing for growth during the past 15 years as less land to develop in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County becomes available.

“It’s no real surprise when the numbers fall the way they do,” Legg said.

Kannapolis is in “the next wave of high growth” as more and more people travel outward from Charlotte, the closest major urban job creator and driving force of the area’s growth, Legg said.

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Six North Carolina cities, including Mooresville and Cornelius, have placed in the top 100 best small-sized cities to start a business.

BY KATE STEVENS If you thought the roads seem more crowded or that new neighborhoods are sprouting up faster than ever, you’re right. Two studies released this spring have shown the Charlotte metro area is one of the most popular destinations for interstate relocations.

Between 2010-16, four counties in the Charlotte metro area—Mecklenburg and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina and Lancaster and York counties in South Carolina—were among the 100 fastest-growing counties in the country, according to data released by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

And, in a separate study by lawn care company LawnStarter, the North

Business Today P.O. Box 2062 Cornelius, NC 28031

Source: WalletHub

BY ERICA BATTEN ​ ith a growing population W and a business climate that is increasingly favorable to beer, wine and distilled spirits production, North Carolina, once known worldwide as a center for tobacco production, may have found a new ​economic​ drug of choice.

And like the large, leafy plant that once dominated the state’s economy, the a​lcohol​ industry has found growth when the conditions are right: a favorable climate, scientific know-how, and the proper equipment.

Interestingly, North Carolina is among states with relatively low rates of ethanol consumption. According to the latest report by the National Institutes of Health, North Carolinians consume between 1.89 and 2.10 gallons of alcohol per year, ranking among the 12 lowest states.

Business Today

2 May 2017

Mooresville, Cornelius among best places for new business

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Source: WalletHub.com

BY KATE STEVENS Six North Carolina cities, including Mooresville and Cornelius, have placed in the top 100 best small-sized cities to start a business, according to a personal finance web site study released in April.

Mooresville, ranked as the 32n​d best small-sized city to start a business, and Cornelius ranked 80th, are included in an analysis of more than 1,200 U.S. cities by WalletHub.com to determine which cities are most business-friendly.

To determine the rankings, the study compared cities with populations of 25,000-100,000 people across three key dimensions: business environment; access to resources and business costs.

The study also used 16 relevant, weighted metrics including the average length of the work week, office space-availability, financing availability, the population’s working age and the number of start-ups per capita to assign each city a score.

A score of 100 represented the most favorable conditions for launching a business, the study said.

Mooresville, ranked number 32 on the list, received a total score of 46.89; Cornelius, ranked number 80 on the list, received a total score of 45.27; Huntersville, ranked number 126 on the list, received a score of 44.15; and Concord, ranked number 219 on the list ​,​received a total score of 42.89, the study said.

The best small-sized city to start a business was Holland, Mi .​,​with a total score of 50.22.

The other four North Carolina cities ranking in the top 100 best small-sized cities including Wilson, N.C., ranked number 6; New Bern, N.C. ranked number 93; and Salisbury, N.C. ranked number 96, the study said.

“Our area is a magnet for talented business leaders who are attracted by the small town charm with easy access to urban amenities and a world class airport,” said Ryan McDaniels, Lake Norman Economic Development executive director.

The data for the study was collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other organizations, according to WalletHub.com.

Mooresville has ​long had a unique business community initially capitalizing on its textile mill beginnings and then later transitioning into a motor sports hub, said Russ Rogerson, Mooresville South Iredell Economic Development Corporation executive director.

What’s interesting about the motor sport industry is that it is more than just one central business, Rogerson said.

“NASCAR is not one large corporation,” said Rogerson. “It is a collection of small businesses with very unique talents.”

Those small businesses, and others like it, have taken advantage of the area’s accessibility to Charlotte, a diversity of housing, a high, affordable quality of life as well as a relatively low overall cost of business operations, Rogerson said.

“We’re fortunate to have people like Lowe’s headquartered here, Team Penske and other large organizations, but having that balance of a strong small business community makes for a very healthy employment environment,” said Rogerson.

A good business climate is an area that understands the value of services at a good cost, said Rogerson.

“I think here people get more, shall Continued on page 3

Business Today

May 2017 Continued from page 2

we say, bang for their buck, in terms of cost of doing business…” said Rogerson.

McDaniels said smaller-sized cities also have the benefits of offering lower rents, having a greater sense of community and lower crime rates.

“The cost of renting an office, retail space or apartment is lower than areas like Boston and Silicon Valley and we are able to attract companies looking for cost savings without losing access to talent,” said McDaniels, speaking of the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson.

Growth around Lake Norman has also brought newcomers who have a great variety of depth and knowledge and who may have been business leaders in their old communities, Rogerson said.

And the region is close enough to Charlotte to take advantage of its startup benefits without losing the great local schools, lake activities and smalltown feel of local communities, said Pat Riley,presidentandCEOofAllenTateReal Estate Company.

“You can have the big city but you have it surrounded by 15 or 16 wonderful, pristine little towns,” said Riley.

“You can have the best of both worlds.”

Access to capital, another key aspect of business growth, is also readily available in the wealthy suburbs of Lake Norman as well as in Charlotte, one of the largest banking communities in the nation, Rogerson said.

McDaniels said education also helps

Offering Congratulations

to several of our clients making good news recently:

Source: WalletHub.com

promote a good business climate.

“Our residents in all three towns (Huntersville, Cornelius and Davidson) exceed the national average for educational attainment in both high school degrees and bachelor’s degrees,” said McDaniels.

When entrepreneurs and the interest to create start-ups are present in a community, “I really believe the entrepreneurial spirit is something that transcends education,” Rogerson said.

Start-up growth and vitality will only increase locally if Charlotte continues to be the region’s economic engine.

And that’s likely according to a separate WalletHub.com analysis ranking Charlotte as the number three best large city to start a business.

WalletHub’s analysts compared the 150 most populated U.S. cities across 18 key indicators of startup viability and Charlotte fell only behind Salt Lake City, Utah in the number two spot and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma as the best big city to start a business, the study said.

Three other North Carolina cities, including Durham at number six, Raleigh at number 12 and Winston-Salem at number 17, rounded out WalletHub’s top 20 best large cities to start a business.

Newsmakers Breakfast: How SC is going after our freight Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Puckett and former Lake Norman Chamber Chairman John Hettwer will be in the hot seat(s) at Business Today Newsmakers Breakfast May 17 at The Peninsula Club. The topic during the audience-driven question and answer session is South Carolina’s growing advantage in inter- HETTWER state commerce.

Both men are active in the anti-toll leadership, Puckett on the regional government level, and Hettwer, the owner of Payroll Plus, on the business com-

munity’s relationship with Raleigh and state legislators.

Newsmakers Breakfasts are an openforum Q&As with people who make the news. Anyone can ask a question.

Doors open at 7:15 a.m. for networking.

The buffet-style breakfast gets under way at 7:30 a.m. The Q&A begins at 8 a.m. and PUCKETT concludes at 9 a.m. The cost to attend, $12, includes a full country breakfast. Reserve a seat at 704-8951335 with Visa or MasterCard.

Family Care Partners (FCP), headquartered in Fort Mill, SC, has acquired a majority interest in Eastern North Carolina Medical Group, a primary care practice based in Rocky Mount, NC. FCP was formed in 2015 by Varsity Healthcare Partners (VHP) in connection with its recapitalization of Colonial Family Practice, one of the largest providers of primary care and ancillary patient diagnostic services in South Carolina. Scale Finance advised on these transactions CTL Packaging is a family owned packaging company established in 1964 in Spain and specializing in the manufacturing of plastic tubes and injection molded closures for high end cosmetic, personal care products and pharmaceutical industries. Scale Finance recently closed an $8 million growth capital financing for CTL Packaging USA Yodil, LLC., a fast growing SaaS provider insurance data management solutions was recently acquired by Duck Creek Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of core system cloud services and software to the global Property and Casualty industry. Scale Finance advised Yodil on the sale of the company and managed the process end-to-end Atlantic Research Group (ARG) is a full-service Contract Research Organization based in Charlottesville, VA. ARG is growing fast and recently accepted a $3 million investment from undisclosed private investors with deep experience in healthcare services. Scale Finance advised on the transaction and handled finance and accounting due diligence Oneliance Group, LLC, a fast growing regional provider of construction site cleaning, staffing, and maintenance services was acquired by a private family office. Scale Finance provided accounting and finance due diligence and transaction advisory support throughout the company sale process CFOs & Controllers - Expert Support, Part-time Cost & Flexibility Raising Debt, Subdebt, or Equity Capital - Best Terms Available in Market Mergers & Acquisitions - Cost Effective, Veteran Support

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Business Today

4 May 2017

Big Day at the Lake fundraiser at Port City Club

JOE VAGNONE, ALAN WILSON

Sage of Baltimore keynotes conference Wilson Alan Wilson, the former CEO of Baltimore-based McCormick & Co., was the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Small Business Week Lunch and Launch at The Peninsula Club, organized by Joe Vagnone of Enlign Business Brokers and the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.

Wilson discussed the spice company’s genesis 128 years ago and its emphasis on philanthropy in countries where spices are grown. McCormick has opened schools in Madagascar and health clinics in Turkey. He also discussed McCormick’s commitment to process and package its products in the communities where they’re sold— ”think globally, act locally,” he said.

Other speakers included Tricia Sisson, co-owner of The Range at Lake Norman; Cabarrus Realtor Leigh Brown; and Wilson’s son Ryan Wilson, owner of Madison River Fly Fishing Outfitters.

Cornelius resale shop lands statewide award Fifi’s Fine Resale of Cornelius has been recognized as one of four top retailers by the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association. The award was presented during NCRMA’s Annual Retailer of the Year awards luncheon in Raleigh.

Owner Julia Austin opened in around 3,200 square feet in 2007. The business,

The ​Big Day at the Lake “Beach Bash” at Port City Club in Cornelius raised more than $11,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Co-chairs Scarlett Hays of Honeywell International and Liz Marlow of AlphaGraphics said more than 200 people attended the event, which was again hosted by Port City Club and owner Nick Lyssikatos.

Volunteer Jim Engel, CEO of Aquesta Bank, manned the check-in table, when Mecklenburg County Commissioner P ​at Cotham arrived. Amy and Brent Sparks, from PayPal, ​also attended. The fundraising goal this year is $100,000. Big Day at the Lake, which is July 22, has three goals: Provide a full day of fun on the lake for at-risk kids in BBBS; raise money for a worthy non-profit; and recruit Bigs, or mentors.

JIM ENGEL, PAT COTHAM

AMY AND BRENT SPARKS

which is now located in 7,200 square feet near Fresh Market, is an active supporter of non-profits like Dress for Success, Amy Closet, Lydia’s Loft and Safe Alliance.

The Retailer of the Year award is presented annually to up to four retailers who have distinguished themselves through outstanding customer service, business improvements or growth, special achievements, overcoming obstacles, employee mentoring and commu-

nity involvement.

“Fifi’s Fine Resale has distinguished themselves as not only a successful business but also as an integral part of their community. All four of the retail businesses we have honored this year are deserving of statewide recognition because they are helping to sustain local economies, adapting to meet the needs of their customers, and giving back to their local communities,” said NCRMA President and General Counsel Andy Ellen.

NICK LYSSIKATOS

Fifi’s Fine Resale Staff join owner Julia Austin as she holds the award presented to her by Andy Ellen, NCRMA President

Business Today

6 May 2017

Cabarrus County

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Growing tech segment means work at home, sharing space

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BY BETH MCLAUGHLIN Jobs in the tech industry grew 6​percent in North Carolina in 2016, according to the Computing Technology Industry Association, CompTIA. “A 6 percent job growth means North Carolina added over 11,000 jobs last year,” said Steve Ostrowski, spokesman for CompTIA. “That’s the second highest percentage growth rate in the country for 2016, second only to Utah. It was a good year for your state in tech hiring and tech employment.

In terms of actual number of jobs added, with over 11,000 jobs, NC was third behind California and New York, Ostrowski added.

In talking about technology occupations, there are two types of employment—the core, hands​-​on jobs in which people are working on a help desk, setting up networks, performing security on networks, people who handle the mobile devices, people who create software code, mobile apps, that sort of thing—those are considered tech jobs, Ostrowski said.

The other aspect of tech employment is the support personnel, people who work in the office, but are not doing the hands-on work with the technical devices, networks, and so forth, he said.

It’s the actual core tech jobs that are on the increase, according to CompTIA. The growth in NC was not broken down by county in CompTIA’s report, but by major metropolitan areas. Cabarrus County is included in the Charlotte Metropolitan area.

​Thousands of new tech jobs​

In the region, 1,908 tech industry jobs were added in 2016, a 4.3 percent​​​increase year-over-year, according to CompTIA’s CyberStates report. There were an estimated 46,398 tech industry workers in Charlotte in 2016, and 61,932 tech workers employed in companies across the Charlotte, NC economy.

The average annual tech industry wage in 2016 was $90,488, 68.5 percent higher than the overall average wage in Charlotte, according to the CyberStates report.

The Cabarrus business, Alevo, a developer of energy storage systems—think batteries the size of the payloads that fit on the back of tractor-trailers—has quite a few technology employees on the payroll, even though it i​s ​primarily a manufacturing company, said Scott Schotter, the company’s chief marketing officer.

“We have an IT department,” Schotter said. “We have a lot of automated equipment for manufacturing and for the software that runs it. We have an analytics department with software engineers and programmers. We’re building our manufacturing system across the board and tech jobs are a part of that.”

Schotter said in keeping with the trend for growth in tech jobs across the state, Alevo is growing and tech jobs are a part of that. “We are building our manufacturing infrastructure across the board and tech jobs would be part of that.”

​In the trenches, in slippers​

Business Today also talked to tech workers from Cabarrus County, finding there’s no clear trend in whether tech em-

Business Today

May 2017

7

Cabarrus County ployees primarily telecommute or work in an office​​building. It does seem to be a trend that a Cabarrus resident will commute to a building outside of the county, if he or she does commute.

Jessica Draper moved from Kannapolis to Charlotte to be closer to educational and job opportunities in the tech industry. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in May, 2016, and has found work in Charlotte as an application software developer since then.

She said she finds most of the tech growth in North Carolina is in the Raleigh/Cary area. “I considered moving there after graduation because looking for a job here was getting discouraging.”

Another tough aspect of finding employment was most jobs seemed to require two to five or five to seven years’ experience, she said. She was hired into a two-year development program.

Concord native Kathy Sellers Maroney is the daughter of Frank and Sandra Maroney. Her father was an orthopedic surgeon and was chief of staff of the former Cabarrus Memorial Hospital for a number of years. Maroney left Concord for a while, but returned in 2003. She’s been

working tech jobs since 1998.

Maroney works at home and keeps odd hours. She works with teams in California and in India, so she’s likely to have meetings at 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. on the same day. Sometimes she gets a cat nap in the afternoon between meetings. She enjoys wearing her bedroom slippers to work everyday, she added.

She said she’s not surprised at the growth in North Carolina’s tech jobs.

​More jobs coming

​“There are absolutely going to be more tech jobs everywhere,” Maroney said.

“With the way things are going, everything manufacturing is moving away. The manual labor type jobs are being mechanized everywhere. You’re getting more people who are doing the technology jobs, too. You don’t hear of people going into college thinking, ‘I want to go work on a manufacturing floor.’”

“We are such a bedroom community for Charlotte. There will be many more tech jobs opening up here. There’s so much space for growth,” she said.

Cindy Fertenbaugh, a member of the Cabarrus County Board of Education, is

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extremely hopeful for the future of tech jobs in Cabarrus County. She cited a new program in the school system giving kids an opportunity to explore robotics in an after school program, and noted there are many technical certifications students can get before graduating high school that will help them advance as they enter college for an associate’s degree or fouryear-degree. Some of the certifications can help them attain work right out of school as well, she said. “It can sure give them a leg up.”

She is very familiar with tech work as she is a tech project manager for a major grocery store chain based in Mecklenburg County. Fertenbaugh commutes to a brick-and-mortar workplace. She said her company is trending more towards team work and people working together in the same physical space. Though certain jobs can also be done at home.

“Grocery stores are 24 hours now,” she said. “If something goes wrong with a system in the middle of the night and you’re on call, you can usually fix the problem from home. You can work a tech job anywhere.”

Brian Ward of Mount Pleasant works a

tech job from his home. He’s a solutions architect/presales engineer for a company called VMWare based in Palo Alto, CA. There is a large campus presence there.

He said a lot of tech jobs still require brick-and-mortar sites for workers to brainstorm and have team meetings. But for sales people, “Ideally they want us out of the building and in the field, anyway.

So we can do this job from anywhere – 99 percent of us work remotely.”

In downtown Concord there’s a place to beat the isolation of the telecommute—an office where you can go to do your work with fellow telecommuters or people working for themselves. It’s called Hb5. It’s an open office environment with WiFi, printing services, and “all the free coffee you can drink,” said Ryan McMahon, partner and spokesperson for Hb5.

“It gives you a place to go every​day, to co-work and interact with others for a common goal,” he said.

Brainstorming and co-work is encouraged, and member​s​share their expertise and ideas to help grow the small businesses and partnerships being formed there, McMahon said.

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Business Today

8 May 2017

Toll lanes are likely to help interstate commerce in SC

By Dave Vieser While much of the discussion concerning the I-77 toll lanes has been concentrated on the impact on residents and commuters, they will have a profoundly positive impact on trucking between Charleston and Greenville, SC. South Carolina is already stepping up to the plate, says Mecklenburg County Commissioner Jim Puckett. “South Carolina is investing hundreds of millions in the I-26 corridor from the port in Charleston to Greenville, SC,” he said.

A business owner himself, Puckett says Greenville will become the “next great southern logistics hub as freight moves unencumbered” from the port to Greenville and Atlanta, and points north via I-75.

“If I-77 continues under the current plan, South Carolina will capture billions in economic development lost from North Carolina,” Puckett said.

A clear freight route from the Port of Charleston can carry more raw materials and finished goods for export.

“North Carolina continues to build a toll road that has in its design a 50-year logistics bottleneck across Lake Norman thus crippling the opportunity for manufacturing and logistic growth for the next five decades,” Puckett says.

The next great manufacturing corridor will grow along I-26 anchored on the eastern end with Boeing and Volvo and BMW in the west, he said.

“If I-77 continues under the current plan SC will capture billions in economic development lost from North Carolina,” Puckett said.

Pro-toll lane politicians like Cornelius Mayor Chuck Travis have argued that anything is better than nothing when it comes to widening I-77. He, along with Davidson Mayor John Woods, have blessed what have been dubbed “Lexus Lanes,” partly because trucks will not be allowed in the toll lanes here.

Instead, they will be confined to the two general purpose lanes just as they are now.

This will do nothing to alleviate congestion in the general purpose lanes between Lake Norman and Charlotte, Puckett said.

Allowing trucks in the toll lanes is a concept which has caught on in at least one adjacent state. Virginia’s contract with Ferrovial for toll lanes on I-66 between the Capital Beltway and Gainesville, Va., QUOTABLE

“North Carolina continues to build a toll road that has in its design a 50-year logistics bottleneck across Lake Norman thus crippling the opportunity for manufacturing and logistic growth for the next five decades.”

—Jim Puckett, Mecklenburg County Commissioner

allows trucks to use the toll lanes.

Virginia Transportation Secretary Aubrey Layne says trucks will be required to pay at least three times the toll other drivers are paying at a given time. Virginia officials believe that time-sensitive deliveries could convince truckers to pay the extra money and use the toll lanes. This, in turn, would create less congestion on the general purpose lanes.

Mercator Advisory Group is doing an independent examination of the I77 toll lane contract for the state NCDOT. “The contract does not allow tractor-trailers in the express lanes.

However, this is one of the comments we have received from the public that will be included in the ongoing review of the contract,” said NCDOT spokeswoman Carly Olexik,

Business Today

10 May 2017

Growth S trategies

Who said introverts can’t sell?

Selling is an interactive process often requiring tenacity, assertiveness, and being service-oriented. We stereotype sales professionals by thinking they have to be extroverts. But this is too exclusive. If you seek an outstanding performer, expand your understanding of what it takes to sell well, to include those a bit more introverted among your applicants-you will likely be pleased.

We categorize many things into simpler terms to make life easy to understand. Such as, we may think sales positions require extroverted personalities in order to be assertive and we need introverted personalities to be industrious producers behind the scenes. But that leaves many people out of the running for positions they may excel at-and produce strongly for you in sales roles.

Strong observation skills Character traits of an introvert include being adept at observation, acutely aware of verbal and nonverbal communications.

Where extroverts may be too busy talking to pay heed to a customer’s conversation patterns or changing need, the introvert will catch it immediately and adapt their communication style to fit the situation quickly, making the customer feel heard, attended to, and comfortable.

Active listeners Often introverts are viewed by extroverts who don’t know better, as being

unengaged because they do not join in a boisterous conversation with multiple interactions and responses. But the introverted person in a sales person uses their careful listening skills to give the customer the opportunity to talk; and the more they listen the more insight the introverted sales person gathers. And when they finally speak they are succinct, accurate, and hit the mark on meeting the customer’s needs.

Effective relationship managers

Sales Coach

When extroverts get the feeling that an introverted conversationalist doesn’t care because they are not vocal or don’t call attention to themselves, that feeling would be incorrect. Introverted sales professionals are often noted for being highly appreciated for the thoughtful way they express themselves to customers, the professional way they manage relationships, and the calm, respectful way they effectively deal with conflict when it occurs.

CHERYL KANE

“Quiet people have the loudest minds.”

—Stephen Hawking

Excellent planners Extroverts may demonstrate behaviors that indicate they have a highly evolved level of confidence, and think extemporaneous sales presentations work well for them-which is not, of course, always correct. Just because an extrovert may find it completely comfortable to think on their feet and recover effortlessly from a potential mistake, it is not a best-practice for all sales interactions. Customers know the difference between a thoughtfully planned and a flippant sales presentation.

Introverts often hate making mistakes so they plan well to execute flawlessly.

Powerful self-confidence Some people may think introverts lack self-confidence because they don’t tout their accomplishments as freely as extroverts. But unspoken self-confidence is a powerful tool when it comes to persuasively explaining the benefits and value of one’s products and services. A humble, firm-but-understated assurance in one’s self in turn gives customers confidence

that what is being said is believable, and without exaggeration.

Productive producers Introverts as well as extroverts understand that closing a sale is the goal and they both do it well. The difference may be in the introvert’s conservation of energy for the same level of productivity. Thorough preparation of customer calls, rehearsed sales presentations, strong observation and advance analysis of the customer’s needs, can allow for sales to be achieved without ‘wasting’ time back-tracking or making a follow-up call to obtain an order. And they don’t give up-they are indeed just as tenacious in achieving their sales goals as are their extroverted peers.

“A humble, firm-butunderstated assurance in one’s self in turn gives customers confidence that what is being said is believable, and without exaggeration.”

—Cheryl Kane

Introverts sell well While an introvert is unlikely to share much about themselves during sales conversations (they are still very private people, remember), they build strong relationships in different ways. They may approach the sales process more methodically. And customers are impressed with someone who does not exaggerate, or spend time talking about themselves but instead puts them first in the polished sales call process-it makes it easy to listen, decide, and to buy.

Cheryl Kane, MBA, PHR, GPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a strategic business consultant, sales trainer, & professional speaker specializing in strategic planning and service quality. If you seek assistance in growing your business, need a business speaker, or have a topic you would like to see in this column, Cheryl welcomes your communication at (704) 595-7188 or through her web site, www.cherylkane.net.

Business Today

NEWS - e

Hundreds march on bridge for toll protest

May 2017

11

Q

: I have bought property in other states, and my closing was not conducted by a real estate attorney. Why does North Carolina require that an attorney conduct a real estate closing?

A

Protest organizer Stacy Phillips, foreground, said 200 people joined in from 5:30 pm to 7 p.m.

Sharon Hudson, Commissioner Cotham

April 28. By Dave Yochum. More than 200 people descended on the Exit 28 bridge on a hot Friday afternoon to protest the $650 million, 50-year contract with Cintra. There was consistent support from passersby who gave a thumbs up and blew their horns on the third anniversary of the first toll protest, the first known protest march in Cornelius.

Mainstream business and political leaders paced the bridge walkway, as well as seniors from Mooresville and Huntersville, not to mention an art collector, a former Scout leader from Cornelius and a variety of Charlotte television news reporters.

Protest organizer Stacy Phillips said

even more competitive than it is.

“They know what they’re doing,” she said.

In spite of the fact that the toll lanes are well under way, the contract is under an independent review by Mercator Advisors.

Among those protesting on the bridge Friday afternoon were NC Rep. John Bradford; I-77 Call to Action leader Mac McAlpine; Cornelius Commissioner Mike Miltich; WidenI-77 founder Kurt Naas; Huntersville Commissioner Danny Phillips, Stacy’s father; Chamber CEO Bill Russell; and Cornelius Mayor Pro Tem Woody Washam.

Dee Gilroy, a leader in the anti-toll movement and the wife of Cornelius Commissioner Dave Gilroy—an early toll opponent, along with Naas—carried a sign that said “Toll Traitor Chuck Travis Vote Him Out.” It was a year ago that Travis went to Raleigh to meet with statewide legislators to express his support of the tolls, in spite of multiple votes by his town board expressing opposition to the tolls or asking to delay the contract.

Mayor Pro Tem Washam has announced his intentions to run for mayor this fall, while Travis has kept his intentions to himself.

The town board has voted to censure Travis, but he has refused to resign.

Dee Gilroy, Mike Miltich, Nils Lucander

she was gratified by the turnout and the steady show of support from people young and old who drove by.

The mainstream nature of the toll lane opponents has always been clear—Exit 28 Ridiculousness has more than 7,500 members on Facebook—but top-deck politicians know that supporting the fight will help come election time.

Mecklenburg County Commissioner Pat Cotham, a long-time toll opponent, said the business implications around the monumentally flawed contract are becoming more and more clear.

Republican NC Sen. Jeff Tarte says there’s malfeasance involved.

In addition to trucks not being allowed in the toll lanes themselves, the details in the contract suggest that the NCDOT was aware that the addition of toll lanes will do nothing to alleviate congestion in the general purpose lanes between Lake Norman and Charlotte.

While some people can live with congestion, truckers can’t. It means that commerce and industry will steer clear of this part of I-77, in favor of more consistent and predictable routes to and from customers.

South Carolina, Cotham says, is beefing up its interstate connections between the coastal port and Charlotte’s intermodal facility to become

: Many aspects of real estate law are State specific. North Carolina has a somewhat unique system that involves a real estate attorney searching and opining on the state of the property’s title to an independent title insurance company or agency. The title insurance company then issues the title insurance commitment or policy, while the real estate attorney conducts the closing, handling of funds, and recording of the documents. A few advantages of the North Carolina JACKSON approved attorney system are:

1. Cost – Involvement of an attorney in the process keeps the overall cost of the transaction down 2. Legal Representation – Attorneys are able to provide legal advice during the closing process 3. Oversight of Attorneys - Attorneys are closely regulated by the State Bar and General Statutes, and most carry malpractice insurance.

4. Oversight of Attorney Trust Accounts - Attorneys’ trust accounts are regulated by both the State Bar and the North Carolina Good Funds Settlement Act These are just a sample of the many benefits to closing your real estate transaction with an approved real estate attorney.

Contact Patrick M. Jackson President, Master Title Agency 8640 University Executive Park Dr., Charlotte

704-348-2866 www.mastertitleagency.com

12 May 2017

Business Today

14 May 2017

blueharbor reports net rose 27 percent April 20. Mooresville-based blueharbor bank reported net income of $353,906, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2017, compared to $278,507, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2016. Jim Marshall, president and CEO, said first-quarter earnings increased thanks to a larger balance sheet in 2017. “The primary driver of our increased earnings was our strong loan growth of $25.7 million (20%) from March 31, 2016, to March 31, 2017. Deposits increased $15.2 million (11%) over the same period,” he said.

“Our fundamentals continue to be strong across the board with a very solid first quarter under our belt that can now propel us toward another strong year in many regards,” he said. The bank, with $179.0 million in assets, has branches in Huntersville and Statesville and a loan production office in Charlotte.

NEWS - e

Aquesta’s first quarter up 25 percent

April 20. Aquesta Financial Holdings reported net income for the first quarter of 2017 rose 25 percent to $460,000 compared to the first quarter of 2016.

Loans grew at a 6.4 percent annualized

Business Today

first quarter,” said Aquesta CEO Jim Engel. Meanwhile, the Cornelius-based bank has announced plans to move into the Greenville, SC market.

At March 31 this year, Aquesta’s total assets were $353.6 million compared to $353.1 million at Dec. 31, 2016. Total loans were $254.8 million at March 31compared to $250.8 million at Dec. 31. Core deposits were $212.6 million at March 31, compared to $205.3 million at year-end.

Nonperforming assets as of March 31 were at $1.7 million which was consistent with year-end 2016. Other real estate owned was $1.5 million at the end of the first quarter 2017, as well as at the end of the fourth quarter 2016.

Net interest income rose 16.2 percent to $2.8 million in the first quarter, compared to $2.5 million at the end of the first quarter in 2016. Personnel expense was at $1.9 million as of March 31, compared to $1.8 million the year before.

rate, while core deposit grew at the rate of 14.1 percent a year.

“I’m very pleased with our 25- percent year over year growth in earnings along with strong loan production during the

Gold's Gym Fitness Fair is May 20 in Cornelius Cabarrus CVB unveils The Gold's Gym's Fitness Fair gets new destination guide under way at 11 a.m. May 20 and runs until 3 p.m. at the gym at the southwest corner of West Catawba at I-77.

More than a dozen vendors will be on site, including Pierce Family Chiropractic, Carolina Age Management, GNC and Clean Juice. Gold’s plans spin classes, a group fitness sampler, and free health assessments, as well as craft beer, food trucks and a bounce house for kids. There will be raffles from various local businesses as well as gift cards and gift baskets.

All proceeds will be earmarked for Big Day At The Lake which helps put at-risk kids from Big Brothers Big Sisters out on Lake Norman for a full day of fun. The event is free and open to the public.

"We're proud to be a part of the community, and this is our way of giving back," said Jesse Fabricant, who runs the Cornelius operation for Gold's Gym.

April 30. Just in time for the May races, the Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau has a new destination guide for visitors.

The new guide, published quarterly, will feature four “strategically thematic” covers. Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Lenny Batycki appears on the first quarter cover. The second quarter cover emphasizes family travel with an image from the Sea Life Aquarium.

Quarter three highlights small business and shopping local with Kathleen Reeder of The Bead Lady in Historic Downtown Concord on the cover, and Jason McKnight, head brewer at Cabarrus Brewing, will appear on the fourth cover, coinciding with North Carolina Beer Month in April of 2018.

The 79-page publication was unveiled during the CCCVB’s bi-monthly Pit Stop Social—an event designed to connect hospitality and tourism industry partners and showcase tourism assets across Cabarrus County—at Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Co.

Business Today

May 2017

15

On The Record

THIS MONTH REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS . . 15 FORECLOSURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 NEW CORPORATIONS . . . . . . . . . . 16

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS These are recent property transactions over $200,000 as recorded by the county Register of Deeds in Cabarrus, Iredell and Mecklenburg.

Mecklenburg County 4/27/17 $342,500 South Creek Homes to Kathy & Leonard Kreicas, 11722 Meetinghouse Dr., Cornelius 4/27/17 $404,000 Robert & Leigh Rittenhouse to Jeff & Joan Creed, 16121 Cranleight Dr., Huntersville 4/27/17 $303 Pulte Home Co. to Jeremy & Christie Tilson, 12817 Stella Belle Dr., Huntersville 4/27/17 $309,000 Christopher & Antonietta Basile to Robert Green, 8421 Shady Vale Ln., Hutnersville 4/27/17 $920,000 Daniel & Kristine West to Dennis & Jean Trewell, 16813 Baywatch Ct.,

Cornelius 4/27/17 $278,000 James & Jennifer Foess to Cara Zara, 20563 Harbor View Dr., Cornelius 4/27/17 $253,000 Samuel & Heather Lee to Zhitao Lu & Hui Wang, 6116 Silver Chime Way, Huntersville 4/27/17 $372,000 Taylor Morrison of Carolinas Inc. to Dale & Jamie Slabaugh, 8731 Shadestreet St., Huntersville 4/27/17 $226,000 Parker & Krystle Valek to Robert Armstrong, 18803 Silver Quay Dr., Cornelius 4/27/17 $349,000 Adam & Dana Emery to Justin Barger, 8916 Lake Pines Dr., Cornelius

Cabarrus County 04/03/17 $267,500 John & Beth Killen to Timothy & Amanda Wager, 7689 Orchard Park Cr., Harrisburg 04/03/17 $449,500 Mattamy Homes, Inc. to Kathleen Russo, 332 Helmsley Ct., Concord 04/03/17 $347,000 Meritage Homes of the Carolinas, Inc. to Raju Varna & Jyothsna Vallem, 8282 Breten Way, Harrisburg 04/03/17 $350,000 Franklin McCorkle Estate to Jeffery & Glenda Harre, 2654 Lansing St., Concord 04/03/17 $325,000 Mark Sanders to Hector Jalomo & Tayde Maldonado, 9585 Mahland Ct., Concord 04/03/17 $362,500 Meritage Homes of the Carolinas, Inc. to Willie & Linda Brown, 8210

Breton Way, Harrisburg 04/03/17 $401,000 M/I Homes of Charlotte, LLC to Sunilkumar Kanukuntla & Swathi Perna, 8454 Rosemary Way, Harrisburg 04/03/17 $359,000 M/I Homes of Charlotte, LLC to Tapraj & Chandaani Chataut, 2721 Red Maple Ln., Harrisburg 04/03/17 $343,000 M/I Homes of Charlotte, LLC to David & Jacqueline Blackwelder, 2635 Snap Dragon Dr., Harrisburg 04/03/17 $447,500 Meritage Homes of Charlotte, LLC to Sriram Venkatesh & Minashi Shanmugam, 8438 Breton Way, Harrisburg 04/03/17 $299,000 Bernice & Jackie Paris to Zachary & Jacqueline Judkins, 1576 Edenton st., Concord

More Mecklenburg Transactions online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mooresville 4/27/17 $287,500 Live Well Homes to Donald & Pamela Noel, 163 Sassafras Rd. 28117 4/27/17 $255,000 Karen & Bruce Vanderlick to HP North Carolina, 143 Saye Pl. 28115 4/28/17 $365,000 Todd & Shelly Hart to Ken & Helen Chivers, 147 Foxfield Park Dr. 28115 4/28/17 $305,000 Sara & David Samuelson to John & Janet Miller, 136 Jason Ln. 28115 4/28/17 $380,000 H & H Constructors of Fayetteville to Kenneth & Laura Green, 120

Willowbrook Dr. 28115 4/28/17 $355,000 David & Stacey Conrad to David & Jennifer Minton, 112 Sunhaven Ln. 28117 4/28/17 $471,000 D.R. Horton to Adam & Dana Emery, 265 Blueview Rd. 28117 4/28/17 $345,000 Essex Homes Southeast to David & Christine Choleva, 130 Clear Springs Rd. 28115 4/28/17 $400,000 Todd & Jennifer Miller to Cameron & Kate Kmetzsch, 404 East Waterlynn Rd. 28115 4/28/17 $425,000 Lawrence & Lisa Nageotte to Anthony & Leslie Quatrini, 203 Lavender Bloom Loop 28115 4/28/17 $455,000 Christopher Zell & Kerstin Hobley to Gerald & Melanie White, 123 Abbeville Ln. 28117 4/28/17 $259,000 Lennar Carolinas to Juan Florez, 109 Macinac Dr. 28117 4/28/17 $420,000 Meritage Homes of the Carolinas to Justin & Karen Bailey, 324 South San Agustin Dr. 28117 4/28/17 $630,000 Blucher E. Taylor Revocable Trust to Gary & Errin Bankston, 354 Normandy Rd. 28117

More Mooresville Transactions online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

FORECLOSURES Continued on page 16

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Business Today

16 May 2017

On The Record

FORECLOSURES from page 15

Foreclosure actions have been started on the following properties. Items show the date foreclosure documents became public, owners, property address, lien holder, lien amount. After required notices are published, the property is sent to auction. The property then can be sold, not sold (examples: bankruptcy files or action dismissed without prejudice) or the sale postponed.

Cabarrus 04/18/17 Joseph & Jeanette Fusaro, 4737 Scenic Pine Ln., Concord, Deutsche Bank National Trust Co., $266,000 04/18/17 David Peele, 10000 Arbor Dale Ave., Charlotte 28215, Sun Trust Bank, $87,750 04/18/17 John & Freda Cochrane, 8266 Chilkoot Ln., Locust, U.S. Bank Trust, $202,906 04/19/17 Javier & Giannoula Moctezuma, 269 Moore Dr., Concord, Wells Fargo Bank, $96,999 04/19/17 Mark Wilburn, 4919 Riverview Dr., Harrisburg, PNC Bank, $291,840 04/19/17 Valentine Moore & Kenneth Washington, 293 Bay Ave., Concord, U.S. Bank Assoc., $81,400 04/20/17 Morris & Dorothy McKinney, 503 Terrace Dr., Kannapolis, U.S. Bank, $215,244 04/21/17 David & Elizabeth Gajus, 3560 New Potato Dr., Kannapolis, Nationstar Mortgage, $61,200 04/21/17 Gary & Teresa McCorkle, 11138 Silverton Dr., Charlotte 28215, HSBC Bank USA, $105,165 04/21/17 Mary Ruth Hartwell, 555 Harris St,, Concord, U.S. Bank Trust, $35,000 Mecklenburg 4/10/17 Richard & James Bristow, 11421 Callahan Mill Dr., Charlotte 28213, Universal American Mortgage Company $178,183 4/10/17 Anthony S. Lewis, 5006 Jane Ave., Charlotte 28269, Central Carolina Bank and Trust $76,500 4/10/17 Mark Littlejohn & Regina Watson, 4532 Valeview Ln., Charlotte 28269, First Citizens Bank & Trust $79,400 4/18/17 Beverly Gray, 8606 Fox Chase Ln., Charlotte 28269, American Home Mortgage $114,632 4/21/17 Michelle Leigh Brown, 7541 Rolling Meadows Ln., Huntersville, Franklin American Mortgage Company $147,283 4/24/17 Toni S. Rogers, 9815 Hyde Glen Ct., Charlotte 28262, NationPoint $99,600 4/26/17 Joseph A. Rollins, 11316 Leadenhall Ln., Charlotte 28262, First Magnus Financial $142,871 4/27/17 Anthony L. Jones, 5730 Painted Fern Ct., Charlotte 28262, WMC Mortgage $255,000

4/27/17 Martha & Frederick Barton, 20710 Eastpoint Dr., Cornelius, North Carolina Home Network $563,000

More Mecklenburg Foreclosures online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mooresville 3/27/17 Edward & Betty Zumbach, 318 Glenwood Dr. 28115, Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems $157,652 3/30/17 Anthony & Maria Campagna, 321 Stumpy Creek Rd. 28117, SunTrust Mortgage $910,000 4/18/17 Desmond & Kristina Dawson, 100 Dunn Ross Ct. 28117, Lehman Brothers Bank $786,679 4/28/17 Louis & Betty Alexander, 334 Mackwood Rd. 28115, Bank of America $86,000

More Mooresville Transactions online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

NEW CORPORATIONS These businesses have registered with the N.C. Secretary of State.

Cabarrus County 4/24/17 Diva Nails of Concord LLC, Tan Van, 8111 Concord Mills Mall Blvd., #706, Concord 4/24/17 Dough Money LLC, Emanuela Hitz, 10612 Skipping Rock Ln. NW, Concord 4/24/17 KJD LLC, Jared Dullum, 5736 Woodridge Ct. NW, Concord 4/24/17 Patterson Properties of NC Inc., Curtis L. Patterson, 10019 Hunters Trace Dr., Concord 4/25/17 Carolina Outlawz Youth Sportz, Ashley Okafor, 3738 Patriots Place Dr., Concord 4/25/17 Josrim Painting LLC, Josselyn Rivera Zuniga, 137 Johnson St., Concord 4/25/17 Oledia LLC, Oleksii Ostafichuk, 103 Avo Ct., Apt. 21, Concord 4/25/17 Overbrook Manor Homeowners’ Association Inc., William T. Niblock, 759 Concord Pkwy. N, Ste. 20, Concord 4/25/17 Vault 7 Surveillance LLC, Emmanuel Byron, 8293 Chatham Oaks Dr., Concord 4/26/17 C & H Lawn Care LLC, Michael A. Cossaboon, 7020 Wagonwheel Ln., Concord 4/26/17 Gailawpri LLC, Sawaya R. Lawton, 1015 Lyerly Ridge Rd. NW, Concord 4/26/17 Marsh Avenue LLC, H Holt Morrison, 167 Church St., Concord 4/27/17 Complex Seed Holdings LLC, Mark Alexander Hermans, 5617 Mountaineer Ln., Concord 4/27/17 Diversity Wealth Management LLC, Chris Jones Sr., 314 Church St. N., Concord 4/27/17 EGR Properties LLC, Eric Sutphin, 4624 Delrae Cir., Concord 4/27/17 Inspiring-Decisions LLC, Wendy Alexander, 9610 Tramacera Ct. NW, Concord 4/28/17 Modern Man Suits LLC, Joshua M.

De Bonis, 2707 Thistle Brook Dr., Concord 4/28/17 Q Enterprises LLC, Ariahna Quarles, 429 Spring St. NW, Concord 4/28/17 Stewarts Home Solutions LLC, Anthony Wayne Stewart, 955 Avery Ct., Concord

More Cabarrus New Corporations online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mecklenburg County 4/27/17 Monarch Properties at University LLC, Pozene M. Menhinick, 8823 Nottoway Dr., Charlotte 28213 4/27/17 NGNRD Products LLC, Jaclyn Brown, 13203 Freedom Valley Dr., Huntersville 4/27/17 Open Roads Md Inc., Conner Mike, 5001 Misty Oaks Dr., Unit 1223, Charlotte 28269 4/27/17 Sharper Logistics LLC, Stanley F. Harper, 3136 Bennett Neely Ln., Charlotte 28269 4/27/17 Ventura Floor Covering LLC, Jose Ventura, 7561-B Orr Rd., Charlotte 28213 4/28/17 The ABE Group LLC, Bridgett A. Earnhardt, 11901 Cupworth Ct., Huntersville 4/28/17 Anchored In 704 LLC, Lorri A. Lofton, 1503 Kirk Farm Ln., Ste. 203, Charlotte 28213 4/28/17 Brick Ships Clothing LLC, Montez Harris, 2750 E WT Harris Blvd., Ste. 317, Charlotte 28213 4/28/17 ExPol Inc., Rostislav Poliakov, 16110 Foreleigh Rd., Huntersville 4/28/17 Genuine Supply Company Inc., Wanetta Shannon, 8511 Davis Lake Pkwy., Ste. C6-136, Charlotte 28269 4/28/17 KnightWriteHer Communications LLC, Shamyra T. Parker-Winston, 1820 Harris Houston Rd., Ste. 620004, Charlotte 28262 4/28/17 Natural Fitness 704 LLC, Sara EW Eichinger, 9213 Trestlebrook Ct., Huntersville 4/28/17 S&B Tax Inc., Assane Badji, 12843 Sandpines Ln., Charlotte 28262 4/28/17 Shari Lynn Crusse Foundation, Patrick Michael Crusse, 21230 Rio Oro Dr., Cornelius 4/28/17 Total Compensation LLC, United States Corporation Agents, 4416 Poplar Grove Dr., Charlotte 28269

More Mecklenburg New Corporations online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mooresville 4/17/17 Bobyarchick Inc., Alex A. Bobyarchick, 152 Mariner Pointe Ln. 28117 4/18/17 Carolina Hearing and Tinnitus P.C., Julia Alicia Rossi, 217 West Park Ave. 28115 4/18/17 Majestic Automotive Inc., Justin Nostrand, 1491 Brawley School Rd. 28117

4/18/17 Michael Noelle Leatherworx LLC, Bryon James, 130 N. Wendover Trace Ave. 28117 4/18/17 Sochea Khuon LLC, Sochea Khuon, 140 Marakery Rd., Ste. A 28115 4/19/17 Fern Hill Holdings LLC, Wendy G. Pake, 207 Kenway Loop 28117 4/21/17 Barvinok LLC, Roksolyana Zabolotna, 134 Blue Ridge Trl. 28117 4/21/17 Creative North LLC, Joshua McGlinn, 196 Tawny Bark Dr. 28117 4/21/17 Ridgewater Construction LLC, Todd Jason Farlow, 114 Morlake Dr., Ste. 203 28117 4/21/17 Rumianok LLC, Alexander Kutuza, 134 Blue Ridge Trl. 28117 4/21/17 Statesville Barkley LLC, Todd Jason Farlow, 114 Morlake Dr., Ste. 203 28117 4/21/17 Your Self Storage LLC, Todd Jason Farlow, 114 Morlake Dr., Ste. 203 28117 4/24/17 Callard Land Management LLC, James E. Callard, 159 Tennessee Cir. 28117 4/25/17 Concierge Upholstery LLC, Richard K. Filiault, 184 Ringneck Trl. 28117 4/25/17 Dunlap, Bruce & Meritt LLC, J. Robert Dunlap, 144 North Shore Dr. 28117z 4/26/17 Big D Enterprises LLC, Samuel Davis Belding Jr., 121 Henry Ln. 28117 4/26/17 Lake Norman Commercial Inc., Daniel Mark Spencer, 522 River Hwy. 28117 4/26/17 LNR Commercial Inc., Daniel Mark Spencer, 522 River Hwy. 28117 4/26/17 Parenting2Connect LLC, Kelly Margaret Arzonico, 120 Cherry Bark Dr. 28117 4/26/17 In Too Deep Holdings LLC, Kevin C. Donaldson, 149 Welton Way 28117 4/27/17 Barb Hawk Realty LLC, Barbara Hawk, 695 Presbyterian Rd. 28115 4/27/17 Encore Nurses PLLC, Alissandro Roque Castillo, 538 Williamson Rd. 28117 4/27/17 Sycamore Coffee LLC, Michael Adam Minton, 121 Sycamore Slope Ln. 28117 4/27/17 VAST Corporation, Jordan Michael Lilley, 1211 Bellingham Dr. 28115 4/28/17 Carolina Pool Masters LLC, Richard J. Lutzel, 16241 Grassy Creek Dr., Huntersville 4/28/17 Champion Media LLC, Scott Champion, 154 Plantation Dr. 28117 4/28/17 Christopher J Maino DDS PLLC, Christopher J. Maino, 532 Williamson Rd. 28117 4/28/17 Fellefax Precision Machining Inc., Michael Felleman, 233 Overhead Bridge Rd. 28115 4/28/17 Lake Life Retreat LLC, Christine M. Bedson, 597 McKendree Rd. 28117

More Mooresville New Corporations online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

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Business Today

18 May 2017

GROWTH

from page 1

Between 2010-16, four counties in the Charlotte metro area were among the 100 fastest-growing counties in the nation.

Here are where they ranked, along with the fastest-growing and 100th-fastest growing counties among 3,142 nationwide: 1. McKenzie County, N.D.

97.3 percent

49. Lancaster County, S.C.

16.4 percent

71. Mecklenburg County

14.2 percent

77. York County, S.C.

14.0 percent

94. Cabarrus County

12.9 percent

100. Flagler County, Fl

12.7 percent

Source: The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

ranked 77th with 14 percent growth; and Cabarrus County was ranked 94th with 12.9 percent growth.

Lancaster County’s population increased from 76,956 in 2010 to 89,594 in 2016; Mecklenburg County’s population increased from 923,326 in 2010 to 1,054,835 in 2016; York County’s population increased from 226,923 in 2010 to 258,526 in 2016; and Cabarrus County’s population increased from 178,581 in 2010 to 201,590 in 2016, according to the data.

The No. 1 fastest-growing county in the country was oil-rich McKenzie County, North Dakota with a 97.3 percent growth in population from 6,398 in 2010 to 12,621 in 2016, according to the data.

Local officials have tried to stay ahead of the growth and the strains a larger population places on infrastructure.

New approach to infrastructure

Huntersville Mayor John Aneralla said the town is continuously adjusting to the influx ANERALLA of people living and working there. With a population of around 60,000 people, the town is already larger than 47 counties in the state, Aneralla said.

With a 12.7 percent increase in population from 46,782 in 2010 to 52,704 in 2015, Huntersville placed as the seventh fastest-growing Charlotte suburb, according to a study from LawnStarter, a startup that connects homeowners with lawn care professionals.

Aneralla said the town has focused on trying to keep ahead of its infrastructure needs.

A new traffic impact analysis ordinance put into effect this year requires developers to make substantial improvements on larger town projects either alone or in partnership with the town, Aneralla said.

Previously, developers were required to take on smaller improvement projects but, with the town’s residential and business population booming, “We think that’s the way to go because there’s just not a lot of little improvements that are needed anymore,” said Aneralla.

If all the housing developments already approved come to fruition, the town has the potential to add another 15,000 residents, Aneralla said.

Affordable housing choices, low taxes and the proximity to Charlotte have all contributed to the town’s population increase, he said.

The town has also attracted foreign corporations including Swiss manufacturer Oerlikon Metco, an end-toend advanced component company opening a $62 million-facility off Interstate 77 at The Park-Huntersville, an office and industrial park with 1 million-square feet of space.

The corporation will provide 93 jobs over the next five years.

Aneralla said he hopes to announce other international corporations bringing jobs to the town soon.

No drive-throughs make people talk

In Davidson, which scored as the 10th fastest-growing Charlotte suburb on the LawnStarter study with an 11.6 percent increase in population from 2010-15, growth has come at a pace town officials have limited and directed with stringent development requirements, Jenest said.

For instance, town ordinance requires every commercial building in Davidson to be two stories with parking located behind the building, Jenest said. This allows for a more efficient use of space with an eye towards future growth, he said.

No drive-throughs of any kind are permitted for aesthetic purposes but also to encourage interaction with community-members inside the business, he said.

For residential development, proj-

ects of a certain size have open space requirements of 40-50 percent, he said.

Residential streets are required to be connected to other thoroughfares to reduce the need for four-lane roads with faster traffic.

Residential neighborhoods share space with commercial businesses that are easily reached by not only car but by foot and bicycle, he said.

These selective requirements slowed development down naturally, Jenest said.

“It wasn’t so much to keep development out, but it was a way to say ‘This is who we are,’” Jenest said.

As a result of these controls, the town has seen property values skyrocket over the years, Jenest said.

The challenge for Davidson is to retain its small-town character while continuing to grow, Jenest said. “That is really, really tough because every projection says we’re going to go to 25,000 or 30,000 people in the next 25 years,” Jenest said.

That is a scary thought for some residents who may not want to see such growth, he said. But without growth, property values stagnant and businesses choose other towns to locate, Jenest said.

While some Kannapolis residents may not be happy with the extra traffic that growth brings, Legg said these people would be also unhappy if the town failed to grow.

Most residents “see the positive aspects of growth,” said Legg. “That usually far outweighs the negative for most people.”

Officials in Kannapolis have been making strategic investments that will encourage smart growth, including road improvements and utility expansions, to attract more people, Legg said.

After all, retail, restaurants, entertainment options and parks follow more rooftops, he said.

In an effort to facilitate growth over the next 20 years yet preserve the town’s 150-year history, Kannapolis is embarking on an ambitious downtown revitalization project to restore old buildings and construct a new baseball stadium for the minor league Intimidators; residential units; retail space and a performing arts center.

“That’s the kind of thing that communities are exploring,” Legg said.

“How can they set themselves apart?

Those who want growth and we are one of them.”

Growth isn’t stopping

And what of the future?

If these trends continue, the Charlotte metro area should expect to see more growth RILEY over the years.

The area’s low cost of living, low taxes, a lack of unions and a moderate climate near a major metropolitan city providing entertainment and jobs will keep newcomers arriving over the years, said Pat Riley, president and CEO of Allen Tate Companies, a real estate company based in Charlotte with 46 offices from Raleigh to Greenville, S.C. People even came to the Charlotte metro area when the economy wasn’t so great starting in 2007, he said.

“They came here right through the recession,” Riley said. “People are coming here without or with jobs.”

But to be ready for the growth that is to come, the city needs to continue with plans to solve problems regarding transportation, traffic and providing water and power to surrounding counties, Riley said.

The fastest-growing suburbs of the Charlotte metro area based on population growth from 2010-15 were: 1. Waxhaw, N.C.

36.8 percent

2. Tega Cay, S.C.

24.5 percent

3. Fort Mill, S.C.

20.6 percent

4. Cornelius, N.C.

12.9 percent

5. Matthews, N.C.

12.8 percent

6. Pineville, N.C.

12.7 percent

7. Huntersville, N.C.

12.6 percent

8. Mint Hill, N.C.

12.6 percent

9. Clover, S.C.

12.4 percent

10. Davidson, N.C.

11.6 percent

14. Concord, N.C.

10.7 percent

17. Indian Trail, N.C.

10.3 percent

19. Kannapolis, N.C.

8.3 percent

20. Rock Hill, S.C.

7.5 percent

21. Mooresville, N.C.

7.0 percent

22. Statesville, N.C.

6.8 percent Source: LawnStarter.com

Business Today

ALCOHOL

May 2017

19

from page 1

Does this mean that North Carolina is​, ​pardon the pun​,​an untapped market? Quite possibly.

According to the Beverage Information and Insights Group, consumers’ attitudes toward beverage alcohol have changed nationwide, with Millenials driving expansion and preference for authenticity, quality and heritage.

Currently the ninth-most populous state, North Carolina’s population is projected to top 12 million by 2035, according to the Population Center at UNC-Chapel Hill. More than twothirds of that growth will be in Charlotte and the Triangle. Nearly a million new people will move to Charlotte over the next 20 years.

Chances are, those people will be thirsty.

Seeds Already Sown

Some regions of the state, primarily along the I-40 and I-77 corridors, have already developed as centers for alcoholic beverage production. Asheville, home to Biltmore Estate and a unique foodie culture, also has more breweries per capita than any other American city. It’s been dubbed the “Napa Valley of Beer.”

Lake Norman is home to the North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival, now in its seventh year. Hosted

by Historic Rural Hill in Huntersville, this year’s event features 43 breweries, most of which hail from the Charlotte region, including Cornelius-based Ass Clown, Bayne and D9 Breweries and Huntersville-based Primal Brewery.

For many brewers, business grew organically from personal interest.

“I got into brewing because it was a very passionate hobby that I wanted to see if I can make a life doing,” said Matt Glidden of Ass Clown BrewGLIDDEN ery, located in Parkway Commerce Park. “There’s a lot of science and chemistry behind brewing, and that’s what keeps it fun due to constant learning.”

As other brewers break into the market, products become more diverse.

Brewers are experimenting not just with ales, lagers and stouts, but also with “hard” root beer, flavored soda,

lemonade and cider.

Tar Heel State breweries have partnered with local farmers to create exciting flavors using sweet potatoes, blueberries and persimmons along with the traditional barley, wheat and hops.

Founded in 2014 by two engineers and a doctor, Cornelius-based D9 Brewery focuses on wild fermented beer, a brew made with naturally​o ​ ccurring wild yeasts rather than labproduced brewer’s strains. Its scuppernong and lily wild sour ale won acclaim in the 2016 Great American Beer Festival’s Experimental Beer category.

Several local breweries brought home awards from the Colorado festival, including Asheville’s Hi-Wire and Wicked Weed Brewing companies and Raleigh’s Lynnwood Brewing Concern.

NoDa’s NoDajito won gold in the Herb and Spice Beer category. Brown Truck Brewery, based in High Point, won several beer awards as well as Very Small Brewing Company Brewer of the Year.

​Economic impact nearing $1 billion

Since 2010, the number of craft breweries in North Carolina has jumped from 45 to 130. Much of this growth is thanks to “Pop the Cap” legislation passed in 2005, which raised the alcohol limit from 6 percent to 15 percent on beer sold in the state and opened production up to endless new variety.

The North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild puts craft beer’s annual impact on the state economy at $791 million. ​NC ​District 98 Rep​.​John Bradford recently introduced a bill (HB 460) that would allow restaurants to serve beer and wine before noon on Sundays. The so-called “Brunch Bill” would also allow distilleries and ABC stores to offer liquor tastings and would increase the purchase limit at distilleries from one bottle per year to five. The provisions are optional and would not be allowed in “dry” jurisdictions, Bradford said.

“This bill has the support of many stakeholders from tourism and travel and the restaurant and lodging industry,” Bradford said. ​An informal poll on Facebook i​ndicates “there was seemingly unanimous support.”

Craft breweries are currently limited to production of 25,000 barrels per year, an issue Bradford is also working on. A proposed increase to

200,000 barrels was recently removed from proposed legislation, but Bradford says he will continue advocating for looser restrictions on breweries.

“It is simply too important for District 98 with the pending $10 million Olde Mecklenburg Brewery investment in Cornelius,” Bradford said.

Earlier this year, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery invested $3 million in a 51,000-square-foot space on Zion Avenue. The Charlotte brewery plans to transform the former manufacturing facility into a German-style brauhaus and biergarten. To do that, Olde Mecklenburg will need to expand production from its BRADFORD current production of 21,000 barrels.

Craft Brewers have formed the Craft Freedom movement to educate voters on industry legislation and garner support. Even smaller breweries are on board.

“We are pretty small for the 25,000

barrel cap to affect us,” said Ass Clown Brewery’s Matt Glidden. “But we would love to see the cap raised.

It’s the breweries’ right to self-distribute and should be, no matter what size they are.”

In a 2016 nationwide industry survey conducted by the Beverage Information and Insights Group, over a quarter cited craft beer as the biggest trend impacting business, and a significant portion cited state regulation or legislation. But nearly half of respondents named whisky as the biggest trend.

North Carolina craft distilleries have multiplied over the past four years, particularly following a 2015 change in state law allowing producers to sell their product on-site. Numbering just 13 in 2013, more than 50 distilleries now dot the state map.

One of those new distilleries is Southern Distilling Co​.​in Statesville.

Situated fortuitously near the junction of I-40 and I-77, Southern Distilling hearkens back to Statesville’s pre-Prohibition heritage as a major See ALCOHOL page 20

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Business Today

20 May 2017

ALCOHOL

from page 19

distribution point for more than 400 distilleries. The new distillery opened earlier this year in a 25,000-square-foot facility purchased in 2014 by Pete and Vienna Barger. The Bargers project a daily bourbon production of 40 barrels, thanks to four 4,000-gallon fermenting tanks and 40-foot continuous column.

Pollination Fosters Growth

Even as regulation seeks to curb growth in some branches of the alcohol industry, other branches grow organically out of a mother vine of North

Carolina’s economy: tourism.

Agritourism has brought visitors to Yadkin Valley, Duplin, Asheville and other native wineries for years.

In 2013, event planning and tour company the Charlotte Special Events Group began offering brewery tours to private groups. By December of the next year, 43 guests had signed up for the company’s first public brewery tour, said president Peter Cuocolo.

The company currently offers 31 different tours to breweries, vineyards and other attractions.

As brewing and distilling have ex-

panded along the I-85 corridor, Cuocolo likewise has branched into Cabarrus County.

His company’s Lake Norman/Concord Brew Ha-Ha tour starts at Primal Brewery in Huntersville, then travels via luxury coach to Twenty Six Acres, Red Hill and Cabarrus Breweries in Concord. Guests are served lunch courtesy of Brooklyn South Pizza and sample three beers at each brewery. Behind-the-scenes tours focus on unique aspects of each facility.

At Primal, the tour focuses on microbrewing methods, Cuocolo said.

Red Hill’s owners focus on local history. “They pride themselves on what Concord is all about,” said Cuocolo.

“Everything stays local.”

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​Likewise, Southern Distilling is relying on tourism to drive local interest.

Its gift shop, at the distillery and online, offers everything from cocktail glasses and stirrers to rustic décor items like wagon-

CUOCOLO

NATIONAL BRANDS

L OCA L PR E S E N CE

wheel coffee tables and factory carts.

They’re currently hiring a gift shop attendant and tour guides to conduct hourly tours and ​to ​lead tastings.

“We just set up the first-of-its-kind distillery tour for June 1,” Cuocolo said. The tour will include Southern Distillery Company and Charlotte distilleries Doc Porter’s and Great Wagon Road.

“You have to stay on top of it,” Cuocolo said of the hospitality industry.

“You can’t stay stagnant.”

Cuocolo had been considering distillery tours for a couple of years and only recently felt the time was right.

His next move: the “Brew-llery” tour combining visits to local breweries and distilleries.

Beyond tourism, there are a host of related products, and not just fancy gift-shop sipping glasses. A quick perusal of any industry publication reveals suppliers of bottle corks and other closures, specially-sourced water, storage racks and barrels, boilers, columns, roller mills for grinding grain, grain storage and conveyors, and bottle filling systems.

Then there’s the tech end: ​M​anagement software, distribution support, and consulting. Most of these industries are based out of state of even abroad, suggesting the potential for savvy investors to offer these products and services locally.

And while staying local may be advantageous for supplies and vital for tourism, big producers like Southern Distilling have their sights set on foreign markets.

The Bargers plan to market their bourbon in Asia, where demand is high for American luxury products. Like the former king of the Tar Heel economy, tobacco, North Carolina​alcohol​s​ eems destined for worldwide demand.

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“I got into brewing because it was a very passionate hobby that I wanted to see if I can make a life doing,” —Matt Glidden, Ass Clown Brewery

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Business Today

May 2017

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19701 Bustle Road in Cornelius has sold for $1.085 million

In Cornelius

A 7,000 square foot lakefront home at 15536 Fisherman’s Rest Ct. in The Peninsula has sold for $1.175 million.

The house has two master suites, as well as heated floors in the baths, a three-car garage and a deeded boat slip. Sandy Reynolds with ReMax Executive in Cornelius represented the sellers, while Bill Adams with Cornelius-based Allen Adams Realty represented the buyers. ° ° ° A 4,261-square-foot lakefront home at 19701 Bustle Road has sold for $1.085 million after being listed for less than a week at $1.15 million. The house, which was built in 2003, is assessed at $1.152 million. Lance Carlyle, with Carlyle Properties in Cornelius had the listing. The selling agent was Anna Zientek, with The Zientek Group.

In Davidson

A 3,800 square foot house at 19007

Hodestone Mews Ct. in River Run has sold for the list price, $835,000, after being on the market for about a week.

The house, which has a renovated kitchen, a “grand pergola” and a front portico, has five bedrooms and three full baths. The tax value is $587,000.

John Rhodes of Southern Homes of the Carolinas represented the sellers.

The buyers were represented by Meg O’Brien with Allen Tate in Davidson.

In Statesville

A six-bedroom waterfront house on gated Windemere Island has sold for $900,000, after being on the market several years ago in the $1 million to $1.1 million range. The 4,780 square foot Timberlake house sits on .51 acres and has a tax value of $1.059 million. It has two master suites and two boat slips. Donna Sintay of Keller Williams in Mooresville was the listing agent. Margie Brady of Allen Tate Lake Norman represented the buyers.

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19007 Hodestone Mews Ct. in Davidson has sold for $835,000

15536 Fisherman's Rest Court in Cornelius sold for $1.175 million

Mike Young 19905 W. Catawba Ave. Suite 106 Cornelius, NC 28031 (704) 895-6884

Business Today

22 May 2017

Personal Finance

What’s in your bucket?

Practical tips for riding a bull market

Editor Dave Yochum nebiztoday@gmail.com Sales & Marketing Director Gail Williams gail.todaypubs@gmail.com Account Executive Rose Schell-Wilson rose.todaypubs@gmail.com Production Director Sean Villegas production.todaypubs@gmail.com

You & Your Money

BY CHRISTOPHER W. DAVIS If you Google “What’s in your wallet?” the first sentence of the Capital One ad reads, “Cards to help you build credit with responsible use.”

With investing, think “buckets,” not wallets. Better yet, think bucket accounting. Think time horizons. Bucket thinking can help us match assets to respective liabilities as well as manage our unmanageable psychological financial tendencies known as behavioral finance.

For instance, what’s in your “sleep at night” bucket? Yes, name your buckets.

Naming the purpose of the bucket can give it power and discipline. For example, both businesses and individuals need cash reserves. For most of us, liquidity does not matter, until it does. Too little liquidity can leave you scrambling or unable to cash in on opportunity. Too much can be poor stewardship. Some people use other descriptive names; 1-2 years expenses (retirees), lying around money, Noah’s Ark or Cookie Jar. Here are more: Intermediate bucket. Perhaps you have a financial liability with a 2-5 year time horizon. There may be potential

or known transactions, life transitions, income from investments or just plain, “I just don’t think I can ride it all the way down,” money. Sometimes, we refer to it as “just being careful money.”

Long-term bucket. Call it retirement, grandkids’ education, legacy. It’s your life, so it’s your bucket. Name it what you will, but it may require some short-term intestinal fortitude. Bull riding is not for everyone.

Yes, we are all riding a bull market. Our current bull market began in March 2009 from the financial ruins. Remember when we were financially paranoid? Our psyche eventually improved and we rode the bull market higher with practical, prudent investment policies.

Recently, we have seen investors riding the bull more imaginatively, waving their free hand in the air and checking their portfolio value each morning on line. In our client meetings, there seems to be less need for so much money in the “sleep at night” bucket. Our clients are not yet dreaming of “Night Before Christmas” sugarplums, but investors are clearly less risk averse.

Delusional phase. We don’t need

“sleep at night” or intermediate term buckets when we ultimately reach the delusional CHRIS DAVIS phase of the bull market. At least we don’t think so. We think we have learned how to ride that bull.

We are all going to get thrown off the bull one day. When we do, I have one question: What’s in your bucket? Do you have enough in your “sleep at night” bucket so that you do not cash out of your 10+ year or financial legacy bucket?

Or, will you sell out because, “I just don’t think I can ride it all the way down.”

Bucket accounting can help you ride the bull and perhaps tame the bear.

Borrowing from Capital One’s advertisement; buckets can help you build wealth with responsible use. So, what’s in your bucket?

Christopher W. Davis, a Certified Financial Planner, is managing directorinvestments at Davidson Wealth Management, Wells Fargo Advisors in Davidson.

A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Davis has been an investment adviser since 1981.

how much he values them. In this charming business fable, Novak – writing with Christa Bourg – illustrates the power of recognition and demonstrates that acknowledging employees’ achievement is smart business and the right thing to do. In a telling example of recognition and paying it forward, Novak is donating the book’s profits to a diabetes center named for his wife, Wendy Novak.

This easy-to-read, instructive parable ends

Phone 704-895-1335 The entirety of this newspaper is copyrighted by Business Today, LLC 2016 with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use without permission of any content is prohibited. Business Today is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Do you have an opinion you’d like to share? We offer a forum for ideas, opinions and dissenting opinions.

Book Review: O Great One! David Novak’s grandchildren call him “OGO” – meaning “O Great One.” Novak, co-founder and former executive chairman of Yum Brands, leveraged the OGO concept throughout his career by recognizing his employees when they accomplished something special. He regularly tells his friends and relatives

Contributing Writers Erica Batten, Cheryl Kane, Dave Vieser, Dave Friedman, Cathryn Piccirillo Sherman

with 10 useful principles for recognizing employees. getAbstract recommends this helpful tale to business owners, executives, HR managers, coaches, parents and teachers.

David Novak and Christa Bourg. O Great One!: A Little Story About the Awesome Power of Recognition. Portfolio, 2016. 240 pages.

ISBN-13: 9780399562068.

You can e-mail your thoughts to nebiztoday@gmail.com or mail to Business Today at P.O. Box 2062, Cornelius, N.C. 28031.

Your letter, or a longer opinion piece, may be edited for brevity and/or clarity. Please include a phone number.

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Thank you

2017

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• Provide a full day of fun for kids in Big Brothers Big Sisters • Raise money for an efficiently run non-profit • Recruit mentors for children in BBBS

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Commander: AlphaGraphics of Lake Norman • John and Shea Bradford • Charlotte Ear Eye Nose and Throat Associates - Dr. Michael Miltich • Dobi Financial Group • Jim and Carolyn Duke • Brian Harris and Scarlett Hays • KS Audio Video - Ken Ziegler • Shelley Johnson and Craig LePage • Lake Norman Realty - Abigail Jennings • The McIntosh Law Firm • Payroll Plus • Rose Associates - Kathleen Rose • Troy and Della Stafford • Jeff and Nancy Tarte • Dirk & Heidi Tischer • Brian and Tricia Sisson & Erica Erlenbach Friends: John and Nancy Aneralla • Chris and Sally Ashworth • Rod Beard • Chaz Beasley • Law firm of Bentz and Associates - Catherine Bentz • Blair and Margaret Boggs • Crafty Burg’r • Dixie Dean • Dresslers Restaurant • Tom and Ann Dutton • Angela Higbea • Rusty Knox • Rhonda Lennon • Thurman Ross • Jennifer Stoops • Washam Properties - Woody & Sharon Washam Food and Beverage Vendors: Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails, Big Bite’z, Brickhouse Tavern / Port City Club, Brixx Wood Fired Pizza, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Herrin Brothers Ice, Mama’s Pizza Express, Tenders Fresh Food

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