Business Today - March 2017

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Business Today NC

March 2017 Published monthly

YEARS

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

Page 2

CABARRUS

Downtown Concord is bustling with new retailers. We look at three of them Page 6

THE HOME OFFICE

Telecommuting grows as employers seek to retain people in a congested world Page 8

UP YOUR SALES

Art for art’s sake and economic development

BY KATE STEVENS The proposed Cornelius Arts Center could serve as an impetus for downtown and regional commercial development but only if the business and civic leaders behind the project successfully integrate it to fit the public’s needs, according to local economic development and real estate experts.

“It could be an enormous catalyst for economic development,” said Kathleen Rose, president of Rose & Associates Southeast Inc., an economic development consulting firm based in Davidson.

“But if it’s not implemented properly, it’s just another building.”

The proposed multi-million dollar arts center, to be built on the site of the old Farmers Co. warehouse property just west of police headquarters, would not only function as a performing and visual arts center but as a regional artisan hub.

Plans for the arts center include a world-class ceramics studio and a downtown arts district with cafes, shops and galleries designed to attract visitors to a See ARTS CENTER page 18

NC banks continue to stand out from the crowd

BY DAVE YOCHUM Small banks are big business in North Carolina and growing. While mergers and acquisitions have taken pecial a toll on the number of state-chartered banks— eport down to 52 at year-end 2016 from 56 in 2014 and 120 only 10 years ago—the banks themselves are growing nicely.

S R

Cheryl Kane’s advice on How To build a successful sales culture Pages 10

YOU & YOUR MONEY

Chris Davis asks the why’s and wherefores of investing Page 22

Wessling says the proposed arts center and district is “the most exciting project Cornelius has ever had the chance to be a part of”

HOT PROPERTIES

Pages 20-21

8160 Mallard Road in Lincoln Forest has sold for $1.05 million

Aggregate net income for state chartered banks rose from $2.3 billion at yearend 2014, to $2.6 billion at year-end 2015, to $3 billion at Dec. 31, 2016.

Improved earnings were reported by community banks like Aquesta Financial, blueharbor bank and Uwharrie Capital— all operating in the Business Today readership area, also known as the Golden Crescent. Aquesta full year rose 15.8 per-

cent; blue harbor net rose 33 percent; and Uwharrie net income rose 10 percent.

“What’s happening here is reflective of what’s happening around the country,” says Harry Davis, dean of the North Carolina School of Banking at Appalachian State University. “Assets are growing, deposits are growing, banks are lending, See BANKING page 19

RECORDS Transactions Cabarrus 15 Mecklenburg 15 Mooresville 15 Foreclosures Cabarrus 15

Mecklenburg 15 Mooresville 16 Corporations Cabarrus 16 Mecklenburg 16 Mooresville 16

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A traffic impact analysis is critical as citizens complain about lack of infrastructure

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Business Today

2 March 2017

Growth challenges governments and developers on transportation

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BY DAVE VIESER The unprecedented growth around the Golden Crescent makes the region an attractive target for both residential and commercial developers, but also poses transportation challenges for municipalities.

The tool which often becomes a focal point for that debate is the traffic impact analysis, or TIA, usually required when developers are seeking a zoning change for their proposals or if a project is expected to generate a specified number of vehicle trips daily. The TIA studies are done by well-known engineering firms from as far away as Raleigh, and they provide crucial information for planning boards and elected officials.

Nowhere has this been more evident than in Huntersville, where a recent proposal by Crescent Communities to build a 382 lot residential subdivision resulted in a possible change in funding road widening and major revisions to the town’s TIA policy.

The 224-acre site is just northeast of heavily traveled Gilead Road, which is only two lanes in that area. The town planned to seek regional funds for the widening project pegged at $6.5 million, and Crescent had agreed to provide a portion of the funds needed to widen Gilead Road from McCoy Road to just beyond Wynfield Creek Parkway if the project was approved.

Then on February 20, Crescent

withdrew their proposal indefinitely, leaving the future of the road widening funds in doubt. According to Max Buchanan, Huntersville’s Director of Engineering and Public Works, “the preliminary amount that Crescent was discussing with our elected officials was around $1.5 million.”

Crescent spokeswoman Colleen Bryant said this “is just a pause as we take a closer look at plans for the proposed development.”

This is not the first time the Crescent project has been a source of concern for town officials. In September of last year, the town and developer had differed on the traffic mitigation projects included in Crescent’s submitted plans. Huntersville believed the list did not meet the town’s TIA requirements, which are in some cases stricter than the state.

The comments made at the September board meeting, and a subsequent discussion several weeks later at the town’s midyear retreat, resulted in the adoption of new TIA policy for Huntersville, which makes it very clear that future traffic analysis studies must be consistent with the town’s standards, not the state’s.

Meanwhile, just to the north, officials in Cornelius are dealing with a different sort of transportation related challenge: what happens if a traffic Continued on page 3

Business Today

March 2017

3

Continued from page 2

study fails to take into account important information?

Developer Meeting Street Cos. had proposed building Antiquity Woods, comprising 99 houses and villas on a 16 acre parcel on the east side of town. The required traffic analysis was completed in December 2016, but the study never took into account the planned expansion of Davidson Elementary School from a K-5th grade to a K-8th grade facility.

The school, while across the town line, is just a short distance from the proposed entrance to Antiquity Woods. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School officials estimate that after the construction is completed in 2019, the school enrollment will increase by between 300 and 400 students. None of those additional students or the traffic they will generate were factored into the traffic analysis provided to the town.

“My primary concern has always been safety” said Giselle Massi, who lives in the Antiquity community. “I made the town aware that the traffic study did not include the info about the school and that I believed it could

certainly affect the accuracy of the traffic analysis.”

The town’s planning director Wayne Herron, conceded that the original analysis performed by A. Morton Thomas and Associates for the developer did not include the school expansion. For now, the project appears to be on hold. “The TIA is just one of the tools we use to develop a recommendation on a project. At this time, based on the plan that was submitted, we have adequate information to justify our recommendation of denial, if the applicant chooses to move forward.”

Herron said that if Meeting Street chooses to make any revisions to their plan, and the town wants the TIA updated, the school expansion information would be added.

Transportation will also be a major issue in Kannapolis where a new sports and entertainment complex in the city’s downtown will replace the current Minor League Baseball Kannapolis Intimidators Stadium off Lane Street.

The city approved the stadium design on Feb. 27, which calls for at-

tendance capacity of 5,800 with eight suites. The facility will have 8,500 square feet of meeting and banquet space which will be available for special event leasing. The city believes that the new venue will be a key architectural feature of the downtown core from N.C. 3 to Laureate Way. City officials hope to start construction in July 2017 and have the stadium done for the 2020 baseball season.

Transportation planning has a role in this project. The current stadium, now 20 years old, is located in the Rowan County section of the city, and is not within walking distance of many fans.

City officials hope to take a page from Charlotte’s highly successful Knights Stadium playbook and place the project in a much more convenient location accessible to foot traffic. However, planners will still need to develop a comprehensive TIA which will address not only traffic flow to and from the stadium on event days, but also the impact to the surrounding neighborhood.

The stadium will be built where the K-Town Furniture building is, at the intersection of West 1st St and Oak Avenue.. placing it close to the Gem Theatre and the North Carolina Research Campus.

Carolina Trust Bank loan office becoming full-service branch Carolina Trust Bank will convert its Lake Norman loan production office into a full service branch later this month. Open a little more than two years, the branch, at 125-E Trade Court in Mooresville, has been a top loan production unit, according to a

Carolina Trust spokesperson.

There are currently three employees. The bank, which opened in 2000 in Lincolnton, will add two more people when the full-service Mooresville branch officially opens.

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Business Today

4 March 2017

Patrice Reynolds joins Habitat Patrice Reynolds is the new director of deveopment at Our Towns Habitat for Humanity in Cornelius.

She has 30 years of nonprofit experience most recently REYNOLDS with Friends of the Animals in Mooresville, where she led a four-year, $2.6 million capital campaign to build a pet education and adoption center. She has also previously worked for Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, the Children’s Museum of Iredell County and the international humanitarian agency CARE, based in her native Atlanta.

She will be responsible for cultivating donor relationships, working with corporate sponsors and faith partners, planning special events and board development.

Craig Smith new sales director at Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep

New mortgage banker Tammy Stowe has joined Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group in Cornelius. She has more than 10 years of mortgage experience.

STOWE

Community First opening loan production office Community First Bank is opening a loan production office in Concord, with Michelle L. Riley, vice president and city executive, at the helm. Concord is Craig Smith, ​g​eneral ​m​anager of d​ irector over the dealership and its the bank’s first location RILEY Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep sister store Gastonia Chrysler Dodge in North Carolina. Riley will cover ConRam, was recently promoted to s​ ​ales​ Jeep Ram. cord and the surrounding area, focusing Together, the dealerships sold 4,800 on establishing and building new comcars in 2016. mercial banking relationships. The office He​has been with t​he dealership​ will open March 1 at 300 McGill Ave. Ri​ since 2003​. “I’m looking forward to the ley’s banking experience includes more new challenges presented by manag- than 15 years in the financial services ing multiple dealerships and setting industry, primarily in commercial banksome new sales records​,” the 22-year ing. She holds a degree in accounting veteran of the car business said. from the University of Tennessee, where Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep she also attended graduate school. Riley Ram​has 110 employees here, making served as president of the Cabarrus it one of the largest private employers Business Network and is active in the in Cornelius. The Gastonia operation Cabarrus County United Way, Concord has 80 in Gaston County.

Rotary Club, Cabarrus Chamber of ComSmith, who attended St. Andrews merce, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

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Aquesta names HR director

Aquesta has Kristen Maxwell Human Resources Director for Aquesta Bank and Insurance. She graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). She comes to Aquesta from Yadkin Bank, where she was a Senior HR Business Partner. Prior to that, she served as HR Manager for Zenmonics, Inc. Kristen lives in Troutman, NC with her two children, Kian (8) and Gracie (5). In her spare time, she enjoys being active and boating with family on LKN. Jim Engel, President and CEO, said, “We are fortunate MAXWELL to have Kristen join Aquesta to help with our growing Aquesta family. She has a solid HR background, and is extremely knowledgeable and experienced with all aspects of human resources. She will be a valuable asset to the Aquesta team.”

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Business Today

6 March 2017

Cabarrus County

Downtown Concord continues to attract new retail business

BY JOE HABINA As a new restaurant owner in downtown Concord, Jason Pressley has a taste for competing for stomachs with other establishments in the neighborhood.

“In my opinion I would rather be in a cluster of really good restaurants,” said Pressley, the owner of The Grill at 11 Union. “You get people to come to that area to eat. Then I’ll worry about trying to get them in my doors.”

If the city’s mayor, Scott Padgett, is accurate with his assessment, Pressley opened his local sandwich, salad, and soup shop in a golden era for Concord development.

Citing the population’s recent fervor for unique shops, urban housing, and the city’s own nostalgia, Padgett says downtown is booming.

“We have never had more restaurants,” said Padgett, who has served as mayor

since 2001.

The Grill at 11 Union, which opened last Halloween, is one of more than a dozen restaurants and eateries in the three block-by-two block Downtown area bound by Church St. and Spring St. by the east and west, respectively, and

by Cabarrus Ave. and Corbin Ave. to the north and south.

Of course the restaurants are supported and complemented by a mix of some of Concord’s historic stores such as Neta’s Children’s & Ladies Ready to Wear, Ellis Jewelers, and Baucom’s Shoe Store, and an eclectic collection of new, trendy shops like Red Hill Brewing and Escape Artist, both which opened in the last seven months.

“The same is probably true of retail shops,” added Pressley. “You need places to serve the people in the area so you can get more foot traffic and a greater vol-

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Escape Artist is a new concept

Because of his 2,500-square-foot store front’s proximity to a bail bondsman and an art gallery, Escape Artist co-owner Chris Heafner understands how people can sometimes confuse the name of his escape room game venue with the product of one of its neighbors.

Concord’s never had anything like Es-

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ume of people coming through looking to shop in that area. I think Downtown Concord has done that so far.”

Diane Young, executive director of the Concord Downtown Development Corporation attests that a good sign of an economic upswing is the number of vacancies Downtown has. While it’s not unusual for the area to have three or four vacancies, Young says there was only one empty store front as of the last week of February.

Pumping life into Downtown has been the city’s thriving art scene. The Cabarrus Arts Council and The Cabarrus Art Guild attract people to downtown with their galleries and live music events.

Developers are in the midst of supplying the downtown’s businesses will hundreds of built-in customers. The threestory, 26-unit Lofts 29 apartment building opened in late 2015 and four upper floors of the Hotel Concord are being developed into 40 apartments that will possibly be ready for leasing within the next 12 months.

Parking, sometimes influenced by the daytime activity of the Cabarrus County Courthouse and other governmental buildings, is the most prominent challenge to Downtown Concord. Conversely, occupied parking spaces may translate into more potential customers for businesses.

“If people really think about it and look around, the parking really isn’t that bad,” said Pressley. “You’re only a block and a half from the parking deck. You’re only a block from the municipal lot and nine times out of ten there’s plenty of parking there.”

Here’s a look at three businesses, all of which have opened in the past seven months, that are finding their niche in Downtown Concord.

6/18/15 11:11 AM

cape Artist in which small groups of patrons work together to use clues, solve riddles, and open locks to escape from an enclosed room.

Players can choose one of three rooms from which to escape: The Hangover (the movie, not necessarily the morning after), Area 51 (think aliens), and Da Vinci’s Office (as in Leonardo Da Vinci and his brilliant mind).

The activity can serve as recreation between friends and family or corporate team-building.

It is the first business venture for Heafner and co-owner Vincent Ragone. Heafner says they considered sites in Huntersville, Cornelius, and Mooresville before settling on Concord.

“When we saw how Concord was trying to grow things, we wanted to get in on it on the ground level,” said Heafner.

“Downtown Concord is really going to boom here with the things it has going on in the next couple years.”

Heafner says that “80- to 95 percent of our business is first-timers” and that Escape Artist is trying to appeal to people in Concord and Kannapolis that “wish to stay out of Charlotte” when it comes to finding entertainment.

Heafner feels that recent warm winter weather has been a detractor but adds that business has steadily grown each month the shop has been open.

Escape Artist 78 Union St. South Square feet: 2,500 Months in business: 7 Website: www.escapeartist.us

Red Hill plays hard to get to

The feeling one may get by finding Red Hill Brewing Company is not lost on its owners.

Although it has a Union Street address, patrons must first enter through a glass door in the back of the building that it shares with a CrossFit box and Continued on page 7

Business Today

March 2017

7

Cabarrus County

Cabarrus Chamber honors eight with special awards

Continued from page 6

is accessible only through a parking lot off of Church St. Then, you open the red metal door to the right and climb a set of stairs to the loft-like room that is Red Hill Brewing.

“It’s sort of a speak-easy we have here,” said co-owner Chris Abney.

Abney, a first-time businessman, and partners Jeff Switalski, who runs CrossFit Unite downstairs, and Hunter Huss, who operates the popular Cabarrus Creamery on Union Street, agreed they wanted to grow their clientele “organically” through word-of-mouth and social media.

“We want people to find us on their own,” said Abney. “That has the perception of being a challenge. Most people that walk up here say I couldn’t figure out where you were. We spin it in a positive way. You figured it out, reward yourself. Have a beer.”

Red Hill Brewing sells hand-crafted brews the operators make themselves.

They also offer wines, made locally in Mount Pleasant, and cider.

The trio of operators call Red Hill Brewing their “third place” behind

their homes and day jobs. Abney says the 3,000-square foot space is busy on the weekends and that business overall has grown each month.

“I like the fact that we’re nestled right in between North and South Union,” said Abney. “We have a different reach from some of the bigger breweries … I want people to be able to walk to our place, to ride their bikes to our place.”

Red Hill Brewing 21 Union St. South Square feet: 3,000 Months in business: 4 Website: www.redhillbrewing.com

The Grill: Ready for breakfast

Jason Pressley’s grill is located only a mile from the restaurant he has owned and operated for the last 12 years: Wayside Family Restaurant, at 27 Branchview Dr. NE. It may be only a short drive but there’s a world of difference between the two establishments.

The menu is mostly different, although you can order Pressley’s mother’s specialty homemade dumplings at both.

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And while Wayside is on the outskirts of town, Pressley says The Grill’s clientele is unique.

“Being here for four months, it feels like it’s more on the pulse of the town,” he said. “You see and hear things in this location that I never really hear about down there (at Wayside).”

For the time being, The Grill is open only for lunch but Pressley says he plans on offering breakfast by summertime.

The Grill at 11 Union 11 Union St. South Square feet: 2,000 Months in business: 4 Website: www.thegrillat11union.com

The​Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce recognized eight businesses with special awards at the annual meeting in February.

Small Business of the Year Award: Perry Productions. New Business of the Year: Cabarrus Brewing Company. Environmental Excellence and Sustainability: Corning Inc. Nonprofit of the Year: Cabarrus County Education Foundation. Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Warren Williams. Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award: Bill Dusch. Cabarrus County Economic Development Product Development Excellence Award: The Nolim Group, CESI and CM Black Construction. Friend of Business Award: Midland Mayor Kathy Kitts Last year’s board chair, Tim Vaughn, general manager of Hilbish Ford, recapped 2016 achievements which included 92 new members, 40 ribbon cuttings and multiple networking events.

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Business Today

8 March 2017

Dialing for dollars Telecommuters are hard at it

BY DAVE VIESER Major companies in the Golden Crescent and Charlotte area continue

to utilize telecommuting, which enables employees to work from home.

Recent surveys also show a continued

increase in the use of telecommuting nationally, as employers seek to balance worker productivity with more flexible hours.

Duke Energy, one of the region’s major employers, has around 200 workers who telecommute, according to company spokesperson David Scanzoni. “Most of our telecommuting employees work in IT positions, so their work is largely done on computers.”

The total Duke Energy workforce in Charlotte is about 7,000 Duke launched its telecommuting program in 2007, and Scanzoni says the number of participants has remained relatively stable since the program’s inception.

“We ask our managers to identify those workers who might be logical telecommuting participants. Those who agree must work from home at least three days a week, and forfeit their individual work desk and cubicle at the office,” he says.

Two of the area’s major financial sector employers—Wells Fargo and Bank of America—also have telecom-

muting programs.

“With the traffic on the interstates, I’m glad to be working from home,” says one bank worker whose name could not be used because he was not authorized to speak on the subject.

“There are days when I’m on the computer at home as early as 7 a.m., rather than sitting in traffic, so the bank is getting good productivity from me.”

However, Bank of America bucked the national trend in 2014 and actually cut back on telecommuting. The cutback followed an evaluation of available office space in their Charlotte offices. Calls seeking comment from officials at both Wells Fargo and Bank of America regarding the status of their telecommuting programs were not returned.

Nationally, polls by recognized firms such as the Gallup organization continue to show strong popularity for telecommuting. Gallup takes polls on the subject every ten years, and in 2015, 37 percent of U.S. workers say they have telecommuted, an inContinued on page 9

QUOTABLE

“Technology has made telecommuting easier for workers, and most companies seem willing to let workers do their work remotely, at least on an occasional basis if the position allows for it” —Jeffery Jones, Gallup

Business Today Continued from page 8

crease from 30 percent in 2005, and four times greater than the 9 percent in 1995.

“Technology has made telecommuting easier for workers, and most companies seem willing to let workers do their work remotely, at least on an occasional basis if the position allows for it,” said Gallup’s Jeffery Jones.

Sara Sutton Fell, founder and CEO of FlexJobs, a Colorado-based recruitment firm which specializes in telecommuting jobs, agrees. “Most companies experience direct benefits—such as better recruiting, retention and increased productivity—by allowing some of their employees to work remotely even just part of the time,” she says.

Both Gallup and FlexJobs say telecommuters actually work more hours than office-based professionals and that they are more productive.

So, it would appear that Bank of America’s 2014 reduction was an isolated situation, clearly the exception rather than the rule. “I saw someone Saturday who works in Charlotte who I have seen little of in the last year or so say I’d be seeing more of him because he’ll be telecommuting” said Bill Russell, CEO of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce.

“He is in a financial management business whose office is actually South Charlotte, so I suspect we will continue to see a significant increase in telecommuting. I really believe the use of smart phones, Skype, just the overall efficiency of technology makes face to face interaction less important.”

March 2017

9

Stadium design looks like it is a home run

If everything goes according to plan, a lucky person will throw the first ball at the Kannapolis Sports and

Entertainment Venue three years from now.

And 5,800 fans will be watching inside the $37 million facility.

Approved by the Kannapolis City Council in February, the new home of the Intimidators will serve as an anchor for the redevelopment of downtown Kannapolis.

Architect Zach Allee, with Populous, said he will create an appealing facility that takes advantage of the unique downtown location.

He plans an outdoor bar, rocking chair seating, a party deck and grassy seating areas as well as restaurants overlooking the outfield.

The stadium would overlook the North Carolina Research Campus.

He said the next step in the process is the completion of architectural drawings.

The stadium would be on the site of the old K-Town Furniture. Market studies have shown a sports and entertainment venue would be a game changer and could bring an average of $26 million in private development investments nearby.

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Business Today

10 March 2017

Growth S trategies

All Hands On Deck!

A successful culture of sales grows stronger in an organization with time and good management. Its value cannot be identified by a line item on the balance sheet or income statement. But it is readily apparent to steadfastly loyal customers, the tightly knit tenured staff steeped in years of passionate service, and investors who acknowledge a company achieves higher return on investment from the same basic resources its competitors use.

An established culture—good or bad—is evident by its customs, policies, habits, and

values. It does not occur by posting a mission statement or list of values on attractive plaques. It happens because people join in a common purpose, internalize those values, vigilantly adhere to standards of excellence—not just when it is convenient, and trust and respect each other to work for the good of the organization toward a clearly defined set of goals.

Act as a Team

A starting point to sharing responsibility for customer service quality outcomes is

understanding how the whole A vibrant set of metrics organization is customerthat have meaning and can focused. A customer-centric be traced along the customerdiagram with all departments centric diagram components identified by the actions, efcan energize the entire team. forts, information, and prodIt’s not just a set of accountucts they directly and indiing numbers; all the numbers rectly bring to the foundational correlate to steps along the support for the end customer various sales actions, efforts, will help all members of the information, and products they team: directly and indirectly helped Sales Coach 1. see the effort they contribproduce.

CHERYL KANE ute and its direct link to sales; Use One Data Capture 2. comprehend how important interdependence between all segments System, And Use It Correctly of the team is; Too often and for innumerable reasons 3. perceive their unified roles more clearly sales software and accounting software as customer advocates; packages are not upgraded to an integrated 4. clarify why it is vital they communicate high quality functional tool. Aged, patched, frequently and transparently with each other ‘customized’, and stand-alone individual to support sales efforts at every step of the data capture and record keeping by departtransaction. ments creates unseen but clearly identifiable Such a diagram can help equalize per- roadblocks to success for organizations. If ceived value of team members at various you don’t think this is the case in your comlevels. Gone is the potentially insurmount- pany: able hierarchy of rank that can stifle critical 5. ask your staff who use it; communication between business units. An 6. review your customer complaints for empowered team member who is appreci- symptoms caused by systems’ inability to ated by those of all ranks for their expertise exchange data; and insight is far faster to share new ideas 7. analyze the cycle times for data retrieval and pass along critical late-breaking custom- and report generation between departer information to the energized team so that ments; information can be utilized fast-and higher 8. list by name and look at the dates of the customer service quality initiatives can ap- most current versions of all your software; pear seamless to the customer.

9. and remember to ask all users how they input data and generate reports-you may Tie Rewards Together find too many different paths are being used It can be a lot of work to develop a thor- which creates far more inefficiency than you ough reward structure that ties all team dreamed could be slowing processes down. members together to the rising tide of posiA strong sales culture is a whole organizative sales growth. And highly successful tion working as a single team toward a comcompanies who are consistently on the lists mon purpose. It’s a strategy that is very hard of favored companies to work for, know it’s to imitate, it adds unique sources of value to worth the effort. the company, it creates intrinsically and exA mix of individual and group reward ini- trinsically rewarding reasons for team memtiatives that clearly and accurately tie efforts bers to be happy in their work and stay on to overall sales goals, customer service qual- board, and it brings distinction customers ity initiatives, and identified critical com- can identify easily. It brings all hands promunication and collaborative internal team ductively on deck. efforts, demonstrate a comprehensive plain view of the playing field for team members Cheryl Kane, MBA, is a strategic busiwho can use these metrics to guide their ness consultant, sales trainer, and prodaily decision making. fessional speaker specializing in service Such a tightly focused customer oriented quality. If you have a question you would process helps develop team leaders vs. dic- like to see answered in this column, Cheryl tators. It helps distinguish reasons to act in welcomes your communication at 704collaboration rather than out of selfish or 595-7188 or through her web site, www. cherylkane.net. department-only motives.

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Hours: 10am-6pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat | 12pm-6pm Wed | 1pm-6pm Sun | Call 704.479.6655 | taylormorrison.com *Limited time CLOSING COST INCENTIVE Special Offer up to $8,500 begins on eligible new home contracts entered into as of 3/1/17 through 3/27/17 (“Closing Cost Promotion Period”) that close on or before 6/30/17 only. Offer is valid on the purchase of eligible select Inventory/Move-In Ready (“Showcase Homes”) at Taylor Morrison Charlotte-area communities only (“Closing Cost Incentive”). Buyer must preapply with Approved Lender defined below before submitting offer to qualify for the Closing Cost Promotion. Seller will pay all applicable Closing Costs, excluding discount points or pre-paid items, which contributions will vary depending on the eligible home selected and other restrictions described below, and is only valid for qualified buyers utilizing Seller’s affiliate, Taylor Morrison Home Funding, LLC, NMLS #149227 - NC #L-166652-101 – SC #1453869 (“Approved Lender”). Buyer is not required to finance through Approved Lender to purchase a home; however, buyer must finance Buyer’s purchase of the Home through only the Approved Lender and both the Title Company and Preferred Attorney must also have been selected only through Seller, to receive the above or certain other Closing Cost incentives. Seller has no obligation to pay any portion of Buyer’s closing costs unless the Approved Lender, the Title Company selected by Seller, and the Preferred Attorney (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) are all used by Buyer. Closing Cost Incentive not applicable outside of the Closing Cost Promotion Period or in any other Taylor Morrison Division. Closing Cost Incentive may not be combined with any other offer, unless expressly set forth in Buyer’s Purchase Agreement Documents. Total closing cost contribution credited at Closing and subject to Seller’s contribution limitations based on mortgage program and loan to value guidelines that are outside of Seller’s control. The Closing Cost Incentive is separate from any other current incentive offered

by Seller, if any, for any cash or financed (Approved or Unapproved Lender) buyer. Rates, terms and conditions offered by Approved Lender are subject to change without notice. All loans are subject to underwriting and loan qualification of the lender. This is not a commitment to lend and not all buyers will qualify. Services not available in all states. For more information about Approved Lender, its licensing and other financing information, please visit www.taylormorrison.com/tmhf-aba.

All information (including, but not limited to prices, views, availability, incentives, floor plans, site plans, features, standards and options, assessments and fees, planned amenities, programs, conceptual artists’ renderings and community development plans) deemed reliable as of publication date but not guaranteed and remains subject to change daily or delay without notice. Floor plans and elevations are an artist’s conception and are not intended to show specific detailing. As-Built Condition will control. Price(s) shown may not reflect lot premiums, upgrades and options. Lot status “Sold” is an inclusive term that describes the present status of any Contract-submitted, Pending-sale or Closed property. All homes subject to prior sale. Maps and plans are not to scale and all dimensions are approximate. Not an offer in any state where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. Please see a Community Sales Manager and visit www.taylormorrison.com for additional disclaimers. Offer void where prohibited or otherwise restricted by law. © March, 2017, Taylor Morrison of Carolinas, Inc. All rights reserved.

14 March 2017

Corning will invest $109 million in Midland plant Feb. 20 Corning will invest $109 million in its fiber plant in Midland, creating 200 jobs over the next two years.

The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners approved a five-year, performance-based grant for $3.2 million.

The venerable ceramics, glass-making and optical communications company will hire a variety of workers, including operators, distribution staff, maintenance personnel and other workers. Salaries will average $58,146.

The expansion will be facilitated, in part, by Job Development Investment Grants approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee up to $2.1 million in total reimbursements in Cabarrus, over 12 years.

“We are very proud of our corporate partner, Corning Optical Communications, and commend them for their decision to grow right here in Cabarrus County, where we have the best business climate a company could ask for,” said N.C. Representative Linda Johnson.

NEWS - e

Alevo investing $251 million, adding 200 jobs

Feb. 28. Alevo will spend $251 million on new production lines and equipment at its battery manufacturing facility in Concord, creating 200 jobs. Salaries will average $56,327. Cabarrus County’s overall average wage is currently $37,808 per year.

The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners and Concord City Council approved two 5-year, performancebased tax incentives totaling $4,291,596 for the City of Concord and $6,258,577 for Cabarrus County. The project also includes a Job Development Investment

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Grant (JDIG) for $2.6 million that was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee.

The Concord location is Alevo’s first US manufacturing site where the rechargeable GridBank™ Lithium-Ion battery storage system is made. The company, which currently has 215 full-time employees in Concord, will hire manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, logistics, supply chain and other employees.

“We knew early on that the Concord location would be the ideal fit for Alevo and this expansion of our production operation allows us to continue to strengthen our ties and investment in the local Cabarrus County community,” said Chris Christiansen, president of Alevo USA Inc. “We are grateful to have a cutting-edge

Business Today

energy technology company within our community and have fully supported Alevo in its manufacturing expansion plans,” said Robert Carney, executive director of Cabarrus Economic Development.

The eco-devo partners in the deal were N.C. Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Cabarrus County, City of Concord, Cabarrus Economic Development Corporation, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the North Carolina General Assembly.

Under the terms of the JDIG, Alevo is eligible to receive up to $2,638,000 in total reimbursements. Payments will occur in annual installments over 12 years pending verification by N.C. Commerce and N.C. Revenue that the company has met incremental job creation and investment targets. JDIGs reimburse new and expanding companies a portion of the newly created tax-base with the goal of increasing the overall revenue benefit to the state of North Carolina.

By law, JDIG projects must result in a net revenue inflow to the state treasury over the life of the award. For projects in Cabarrus and other Tier 3 counties, 25 percent of the eligible grant is directed to the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account to help finance economic infrastructure in rural counties. Alevo’s expansion could provide as much as $879,000 in new funds for the Utility Account.

Novant sets $11 hourly floor in NC March 1. Novant Health is implementing a minimum wage based on local costs of living over and above the state-mandated minimum wage, commonly referred to as a living wage. It means that the floor for hourly workers in North Carolina will be set at $11 an hour.

The official national minimum wage is $7.25 an hour; some city governments in high-cost markets are adopting minimums that are much higher, ranging from $10 an hour to $15 an hour in Seattle, Wash. Employers, of course, are competing for workers in a tighter and tighter labor market.

“Novant Health is dedicated to caring for our communities, starting with our own team members,” said CEO Carl Armato. “We want to remove barriers for our team members so they can focus on what they love, both inside and outside of work.” Prior to this, Novant’s minimum wage matched the national minimum at $7.25 per hour.

In Northern Virginia, which is part of the costly Washington, DC market, the minimum wage will be $14 per hour.

“Implementing a living wage across our organization represents about a $1.2 million investment in our team members,” said Janet Smith-Hill, executive vice president and chief human resources officer. “We are committed to attracting and retaining highly qualified team members, and offering a living wage is another way to live up to that commitment.”

This change benefits about 2,000 employees in North Carolina and 350 in Virginia.

Business Today

March 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.

Cabarrus County 02/15/17 $748,000 John & Hannah Stanfield to Bobby & Rachel Petsiavas, 2438 Christenbury Hall Dr., Concord 02/15/17 $303,500 NVR, Inc. to Susan Byrne & Chad Oxendine, 7388 Millstone Cr., Concord 02/15/17 $284,000 Brett & Darryl Loring to Richard & Shelley Hart, 10375 Rutledge Dr., Huntersville 28078 02/15/17 $257,500 Eastwood Construction LLC to Adam Fletcher, 1323 Soothing Ct., Concord 02/15/17 $352,500 M/I Homes of Charlotte, LLC to Venkata Chittoory & Nagini Sama, 1204 Sandy Bottom Dr., Concord 02/15/17 $255,000 Robert Payne & Wen Jiang to Yijun Yang, 10813 Bennett Dr., Davidson 28036 02/15/17 $294,000 Eastwood Construction LLC to Katrine & Eric Purdie, 11173 Hollis Cr., Concord 02/15/17 $385,500 Bonterra Builders, LLC to Michael & Kathy Bywaletz, 11045 Double Knot Ct., Midland

More Cabarrus Transactions online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mecklenburg County 2/17/17 $320,000 Todd & Elizabeth Hobbie to Rylan Keogh, 453 O’Henry Ave., Davidson 2/17/17 $250,000 RRCap-SFR I LLC to Leslie Teffenhart, 14104 Tooley St., Huntersville 2/17/17 $371,000 South Creek Homes to David & Mary Jane Ryan, 17902 Coulter Pkwy., Cornelius 2/17/17 $297,500 Christopher & Tiffany Heald to Stephen Batsa & Sha Qu, 227 Quail Crossing, Huntersville 2/17/17 $269,000 Pulte Home Co. to Jamessa Bethea, 12715 Heritage Vista Dr., Huntersville 2/17/17 $351,000 Barry & Mary Beth Burgess to Michael Barnhardt II, 12115 Ulsten Ln., Huntersville 2/21/17 $482,000 Lloyd & Diane Carroll to Jams & Teresa Coleman, 10133 Lafoy Dr., Huntersville

2/23/17 $480,000 Naliniben Patel, Chetan & Shradha Patel to Jacqueline & Gerald Boback, 14432 Timbergreen Dr., Huntersville 2/23/17 $290,000 Pamela & Brandon Gihring to William Sparks, 15415 Shinner Dr., Huntersville 2/23/17 $359,500 Robin & Kevin Senter to Michael & Kristin Mooney, 7345 Chaddsley Dr., Huntersville 2/23/17 $350,000 Lisa Lynch & Michael Himchak to Michael & Sarah Mosher, 15826 Breton Brook St., Huntersville 2/23/17 $267,5000 Robert & Marie Edens to William & Kimberly Smith, 11435 Potters Row, Cornelius 2/23/17 $266,000 Pulte Home Co. to Nicole Dipaolo, 12719 Heritage Vista Dr., Huntersville

More Mecklenburg Transactions online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mooresville 2/17/17 $277,000 Lennar Carolinas to Jeffrey & Sherri Nelson, 108 Wrangell Dr. 28117 2/17/17 $400,000 Elder & Victoria Turner to Robert & Monika Woodruff, 270 Corona Cir. 28117 2/17/17 $290,000 Michael & Denise Oliva to Manuel & Jennifer Daskalos, 194 River Birch Cir. 28115 2/17/17 $374,500 NVR to Alekhya Kunduru & KiranKumar Bollineni, 137 Welcombe St. 28115 2/21/17 $275,000 Roger & Larin Cummings to Heather Hill Day, 1001 Briarcliff Rd. 28115 2/22/17 $260,000 Arlana Dodson Sims to Silvino & Ariopajita Nava, 113 Saye Pl. 28115 2/22/17 $418,000 D.R. Horton to Matthew & Jessica Lawrik, 261 Blueview Rd. 28117 2/23/17 $310,000 Standard Pacific of the Carolinas to Agnieszka & Roman Zawacki, 185 Rustling Waters Dr. 28117 2/23/17 $367,000 Lennar Carolinas to Matthew & Kelly Doherty, 111 Cherry Bark Dr. 28117 2/23/17 $365,000 CalAtlantic Group to Anthony Serwatka & Julia Hargrove, 169 Oxford Dr. 28115 2/24/17 $2,061,000 Patrick Joseph Distinctive Homes to Dan & Beth Reynolds, 188 Gudger Rd. 28117 2/24/17 $255,000 Ohio Farmers Insurance Company to Sean & Brittany Milligan, 163 Scanlon Rd. 28115 2/24/17 $390,000 Momentum Homes to Russell & Kyle Rogerson, 131 Tall Oak Dr. 28117 2/24/17 $649,000 Rafael & Filomena Arespacochaga to Randall & Veronica Plante, 148 Culpeze Rd. 28117 2/24/17 $302,000 Lennar Carolinas to Herman & Bertha Watson, 134 Mackinac Dr. 28117 2/24/17 $291,500 Lennar Carolinas to Richard & Gwynn Lamark, 143 Lassen Ln. 28117 2/24/17 $538,000 Larry & Randi Anderson to Niraj & Jennifer Patel, 105 Palos Verde Dr. 28117

More Mooresville Transactions online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

FORECLOSURES

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 County 01/20/17 Charles and Ramona Blackwelder, 1030 Central Dr., Concord, Bank of North Carolina, $456,000 01/23/17 Anthony and Bobbi Weaver, 3840 Cold Springs Rd., Concord, MidFirst Bank, $124,997 01/23/17 Heirs of Vincent Hoston, 4420 Tom Reid Rd., Concord, Wells Fargo Bank, $142,248 01/24/17 Kristen Terry, 9862 Ravenscroft Ln., Concord, U.S. Bank Trust, $317,035 01/24/17 Heirs of Kathleen Hicks, 202 East Second St., Kannapolis, Wells Fargo Bank,

$108,045 01/24/17 Estate of Pamela Rimer, 5700 Gold Hill Rd., Concord, Ocwen Loan Servicing, $82,500 01/24/17 Angela Sharkey and Michael Williams, 50 Park Dr., Concord, Wells Fargo Bank, $118,114 01/24/17 Kenneth and Sherry Wiggins, 9050 Kensington Forest Dr., Harrisburg, Federal National Mortgage Assoc., $311,960 01/24/17 Op and Jung Ja Ho, 7140 Bovine Ln., Harrisburg, Nationstar Mortgage, $236,000 01/25/17 John and Wanna Sartelle, 70 Bridlewood Pl., Concord, Suntrust Mortgage, $460,000 01/25/17 Jason and Crystal Gribbons, 1295 Braeburn Rd., Concord, Wells Fargo Bank, $271,700 01/25/17 Tarsha Hill, 946 Ramsgate Dr., Concord, Deutsche Bank National Trust, $118,746 01/25/17 Michael and Tracy Cress, 150 Emeryville Ave., Concord, New Residential Mortgage Loan, $105,000 01/27/17 Mark Bonilla and Rebecca Lail, 307 South Rose Ave., Kannapolis, U.S. Bank National Assoc., $71,650

More Cabarrus Foreclosures online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com Continued on page 16

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Business Today

16 March 2017

On The Record

FORECLOSURES from page 15

Mecklenburg 2/13/17 Mark & Barbara Funderburk, 4843 Cheviot Rd., Charlotte 28269, Bank of America $45,783 2/14/17 Matthew & Stacey King, 15813 Kelly Park Cir., Huntersville, Wells Fargo $182,600 2/16/17 Elizabeth Cole, 7120 Somerset Springs Dr. #B, Charlotte 28262, James B. Nutter & Company $115,127 2/16/17 Joshua & Yolanda Scebbi, 2718 Avalon Loop, Charlotte 28269, Sun America Mortgage $102,250 2/17/17 Robert & Tamatha Peeler, 21018 Rio Oro Dr., Cornelius, State Employees Credit Union $421,000 2/20/17 Marva Colbert, 5019 Deerton Rd., Charlotte 28269, CH Mortgage $114,263 2/20/17 Holly Whitfield, 10519 Yellow Rose Ln., Charlotte 28269, Greenpoint Mortgage $100,400 2/20/17 Danielle Comstock, 11044 Derryrush Dr., Charlotte 28213, SunTrust Mortgage $114,376

More Mecklenburg Foreclosures online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mooresville 1/23/17 Betty B. Waugh, 851 E. Center Ave. 28115, Freedom Mortgage Corporation $152.605 2/1/17 Dawn E. McBride, 247 Flanders Dr. 28117, Countrywide Bank $186,200 2/3/17 Rodney & Cindy London, 150 Kerr St. 28115, Mooresville Federal Savings and Loan $44,800 2/20/17 Maria & Christopher Lowe, 176 Flowering Grove Ln. 28115, NVR Mortgage $195,961 2/24/17 David & Ingrid Merritt, 168 Dorothy Ln. 28117, Sentry Mortgage $244,494

More Mooresville Transactions online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

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

Cabarrus County 2/20/17 A.L.F.A. Financial & Insurance Group LLC, Keagan G. Wright, 4617 Dunberry Pl. SW, Concord 2/20/17 Market Street Studios Inc., Garrett Price, 35 Market St. SW, Concord 2/20/17 On Point Transportation Solutions Inc., Bobby Reginald Lowton, 4125 Wrangler Dr., Concord 2/21/17 Pretty Much! LLC, Loraine Felder, 9932 Clarkes View Pl. NW, Concord 2/21/17 TechRite Solutions LLC, Tommy

James Jr., 5310 Hackberry Ln. SW, Concord 2/22/17 Aligned Ledgers LLC, Heather Budgick, 10185 Falling Leaf Dr. NW, Concord 2/22/17 Heathers Happy Homes LLC, Heather Hughes, 4095 Dakeita Cir., Concord 2/22/17 Monique LLC, Monique Burkes, 1123 Concord Chase Cir., Concord 2/22/17 Nicole King Ministries, Natalie Nicole King, 1124 Rosewood Ave., Kannapolis 2/22/17 Savage Lawn Care LLC, Troy L. Savage, 231 Christianna Ct. NW, Concord 2/22/17 Screentaps LLC, Pon Arun Kumar Ramalingam, 1386 Overlea Pl. NW, Concord 2/23/17 Garrett Price Inc., Garrett Price, 35 Market St. SW, Concord 2/23/17 Greathorn LLC, John B. Robbins Jr., 100 Union St. North, Concord 2/23/17 Green Arrow Lawn & Landscape LLC, Joseph Blaine Andrews, 672 Wilshire Ave. SW, Concord 2/23/17 The Wimbush Group LLC, Wendy Wimbush, 11 Union St. S, Ste. 227, Concord 2/24/17 Glenwood Acres LLC, Phillip A. Little, 4600 Annette Dr., Concord 2/24/17 HeiQ ChemTex Inc., Michael Smith, 2725 Armentrout Dr., Concord 2/24/17 J & D Realty Partners LLC, Deanna Little, 6012 Bayfield Pkwy. #102, Concord 2/24/17 La Fea LLC, Becky J. Puga, 236 Southaven Ct., Kannapolis 2/24/17 Niblock Investment Partners LLC, William T. Niblock, 759 Concord Pkwy. N, Ste. 20, Concord 2/24/17 Philip A. Little Duplexes LLC, Philip A. Little, 4600 Annette Dr., Concord 2/24/17 Speedway Xpress Mart LLC, Philip A. Little, 4600 Annette Dr., Concord

More Cabarrus New Corporations online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mecklenburg County 2/22/17 The Moving Fly “LLC”, Mark Jones, 9122 Merlot Ln., Charlotte 28269 2/22/17 Panther Nation Inc., Jonathan Fields, 20120 Beard St., Cornelius 2/22/17 Royal Realty LLC, Daniel W. Royal III, 5020 Eagle Creek Dr., Charlotte 22869 2/22/17 R & R Flooring Installation LLC, Rigoberto Rangel, 6645 Devongate Ln., Charlotte 28269 2/22/17 SOL-CAST Inc., Darren J. Castoria, 13707 Bramborough Rd., Huntersville 2/22/17 Stephil Residential Homes & Services LLC, Stephanie N. Lewis, 3412 Stonemarsh Ct., Charlotte 28269 2/22/17 Tropical Snow LLC, James Dewitt, 12221 Dearview Ln., Charlotte 28269 2/23/17 Assurance Property Partners LLC, Monte L. Smith, 5900 Downfield Wood Dr., Charlotte 28269 2/23/17 Carolina Home Property Management LLC, Sunnie Henry, 7713 Dunoon Ln., Charlotte 28269 2/23/17 David Miller & Associates LLC, David Miller, 11330 Vanstory Dr., Huntersville 2/23/17 HP 3 Property Owners Association Inc., Brad Bowman, 19701 Bethel Church

Rd., Ste. 202, Cornelius 2/23/17 Jeanne Ann Pennebaker PLLC, Jeanne Ann Pennebaker, 11735 Meetinghouse Dr., Cornelius 2/23/17 J.J. & L. Property LLC, Terrence T. McClary, 2005 Amesbury Hill Dr., Charlotte 28269 2/23/17 Memo’s Painting LLC, Guillermo Cruz Salinas, 133 Orchard Trace, Apt. 4, Charlotte 28213 2/23/17 Patrick O’Neil Grooming Inc., John F. Hazel, 18500 Summer Cottage Ln., Cornelius 2/23/17 SEDP RE Holdings LLC, David Modlin, 19824 W. Catawba Ave., Ste. B, Cornelius 2/23/17 Telecom Services of North Carolina Inc., Laurie B. Wallace, 7401 Rockland Dr., Charlotte 28213 2/23/17 At Your Service Property Preservation LLC, Ingenue D. Hoffler, 7107 Cornerstone Dr., Charlotte 28269 2/24/17 Beauty for Ashes Interiors LLC, Tina C. McNeill, 3520 Briarthorne Dr., Charlotte 28269 2/24/17 Burnerz LLC, John Rushing, 5811 Pale Moss Ln., Charlotte 28269 2/24/17 Charlotte Fish and Food Inc., Thien Giang Ha, 1645 H Arlyn Cir., Charlotte 28213 2/24/17 David Gilroy Enterprises LLC, David Gilroy, 22836 Torrence Chapel Rd., Cornelius 2/24/17 Dr. Regina L. Henderson PLLC, Regina Lachandra Henderson Jordan, 9834 Spring Park Dr., Charlotte 28269 2/24/17 FIG Advisory Services LLC, Brain K. Williams, 19520 West Catawba Ave., Ste. 200, Cornelius 2/24/17 Kathiyawadi Dhaba LLC, Vimal Chaniyara, 6514 N. Tryon St., Charlotte 28213 2/24/17 Lifeswork Management LLC, Artie Marine, 10003 Prosperity Point Ln., Charlotte 28269 2/24/17 Merlin-Ham Properties LLC, Dustin Michael Lineback, 3505 Mayspring Pl., Charlotte 28269 2/24/17 Road Runners Mgmt. LLC, Terry Bulloch, 4210 Sugar Stone Ln., 113, Charlotte 28269 2/24/17 Tidy Mango LLC, Jenna Nguyen, 10363 Rutledge Ridge Dr. NW, Huntersville 2/24/17 Trinity Partners Property Development and Management LLC, Norman Peasley, 14438 Harvington Dr., Huntersville 2/24/17 WellVida Ventures LLC, Karen Preston, 1015 San Michele Pl., Davidson

More Mecklenburg New Corporations online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Mooresville 2/14/17 Mooresville Futbol Club LLC, Matthew Touchton, 107 Echo Hill Ln. 28115 2/14/17 Xtreme Concepts LLC, M Craig Kalista, 128 Kalista Ln. 28115 2/15/17 Carolina Real Estate Ally Inc., Allyson

Burns, 582 Barber Loop 28117 2/15/17 Oak Springs LLC, James B. Feldman, 100 Culpeze Rd. 28117 2/15/17 Tucker Talent Consulting LLC, Dana L. Tucker, 112 Trotter Ridge Dr. 28117 2/16/17 Golden Lake Retrievers LLC, Beryl Frey, 201 Cedarcroft Dr. 28115 2/16/17 Infinity Consulting Group LLC, Todd Michael Trull, 139 Perrin Dr. 28117 2/16/17 Plume LLC, Nicole M. Ruhfuss, 120 Deacons Pond Ct. 28117 2/17/17 Hubschmitt Motorsports LLC, James Hubschmitt, 139 Timberland Loop 28115 2/17/17 Youngblood IP Holdings LLC, Todd R. Youngblood, 144 Talbert Point Dr. 28117 2/20/17 Jouture LLC, Antonio McConnuighey, 533 Patterson Ave., Ste. 300 28115 2/21/17 Ownamerica LLC, Gregory Rand, 181 North Main St. 28115 2/21/17 Piedmont/Metrolina Fund #14 LLC, R. Joseph Jackson, 108 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 104 28117 2/21/17 Piedmont/Metrolina Fund #15 LLC, R. Joseph Jackson, 108 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 104 28117 2/21/17 Piedmont/Metrolina Fund #16 LLC, R. Joseph Jackson, 108 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 104 28117 2/21/17 Piedmont/Metrolina Fund #17 LLC, R. Joseph Jackson, 108 Gateway Blvd., Ste. 104 28117 2/21/17 Professional Relocation Moving Packing and Storage LLC, Chris Sawyer, 516D River Hwy., Ste. 266 28117 2/21/17 Treadz LLC, James Hubschmitt, 112 Rinehardt Rd. 28115 2/22/17 Bubba Wallace Live to be Different Foundations, Rick Russell, 130 Infield Ct. 28117 2/22/17 R&R Creative Upholstrey and Canvas LLC, Rhonda Hubbard, 1113 Brawley School Rd. 28117 2/22/17 Sahaj School of Dance LLC, Esha Goyal, 123 S Arcadian Way 28117 2/23/17 360 Investigations & Backgrounds LLC, William Foster, 112 Huntly Ln. 28115 2/23/17 MJ Tech LLC, Manoharan Arumugam, 116 Silverspring Pl. 28117 2/23/17 OEMedical USA LLC, Jerry Maneiro, 133 Chaucer Ln. 28117 2/23/17 Premium Apparel LLC, Nicholas Glidden, 167 Walmsley Pl. 28117 2/24/17 Adria Nicole Group LLC, Adria Nicole Gaynor, 682 Big Indian Loop 28117 2/24/17 Altman Specialty Plants Inc., Kevin Fensley, 160 Cedar Pointe Dr. 28117 2/24/17 Bridges and Tunnels, Sami Khalil, 116 Kristens Court Dr. 28115 2/24/17 ETM II LLC, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, 349 Cayuga Dr. 28117 2/24/17 Goose & Loon Holdings LLC, Matt Gravina, 562 Williamson Rd. 28117 2/24/17 LKN Cabinets Inc., Blake W. Fox, 172 Wood Duck Loop 28117

More Mooresville New Corporations online at www.BusinessTodayNC.com

Business Today

18 March 2017

ARTS CENTER

from page 1

destination-entertainment location.

The ambitious project is led by Greg Wessling, the chairman of the board of directors for the Cornelius Arts and Community Center, the non-profit organization that will run the proposed arts center.

Wessling, a founding principal partner of A&G Associates and Partners and CEO of the Morris Group, retired in 2005 from Lowe’s Companies, Inc. after 33 years of service. Wessling served as a member of the executive team that transformed Lowe’s into a leading chain of home improvement retail stores and brought the company to Fortune 50 status.

During a Business Today and Cornelius Today Newsmakers Breakfast presentation on Feb. 23, Wessling called the proposed arts center and district, “the most exciting project Cornelius has ever had the chance to be a part of.”

Voters in 2013 approved a $20.4 million bond package of which $4 million was earmarked for town center redevelopment including the arts center.

Just last year, the town agreed to

The proposed multi-million dollar arts center would function as a regional artisan hub

purchase for $1.5 million the 1.85-acre parcel of land the arts center will be built upon.

The construction of a private-public building, as the town will lease the land to the arts center, doesn’t always mean instant success for an area, Rose said.

The building must address the needs of the public and that could include having adequate signage, parking and pedestrian accessibility, Rose said.

Whether the arts center is a stand-

alone building or turns into the center of a bustling art district depends on how the center is developed and ultimately executed.

“That will be the trick, the design and planning of it and how it integrates with the rest of the fabric of the downtown,” Rose said.

On the flip side, a handsome bandshell in an isolated public park in Cornelius is used only infrequently and does little to support the fabric of the town.

Charles Knox, Jr., founder and president of Knox Group Commercial Real Estate in Huntersville, said the proposed arts center needs to bridge the gap between a brand-new facility and the antiquity of downtown’s historic mill.

Knox is a partner in the ownership that leases and manages the 40,000 square-foot former textile mill housing retails shops and the current Cornelius Arts Center near the proposed arts center site.

“I think it could be very positive,” Knox said, of the arts center plans. “I think it can be a sort of game-changer for downtown Cornelius which has done ok but has not really taken off.”

Finding the capital for such a project is going to be one of the biggest concerns for those behind the project, Knox said.

“I don’t want it to be a town pie-inthe-sky kind of idea that doesn’t have grounding in good economics,” Knox said.

Already using $5.5 million in public monies, the remaining construction costs of the arts center and its fundraising sources are still largely unknown, Wessling has said.

The non-profit’s board of directors is currently searching for an executive director to help fundraise for the project and run the art center’s day to day operations, Wessling has said.

Groundbreaking is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2018 with the grand opening set for one year later, Wessling has said.

The arts center’s proposed arts district would include restaurants and shops needed to make downtown a successful commercial area, Knox said. But the addition of residential development downtown could provide the opportunity to live, work and play, Knox said.

“The more you can create a dynamic place, I think the better chance it will have to succeed,” said Knox.

Arts center leaders might also consider changing the name from the Cornelius Arts Center to one representing the Lake Norman region if the center is to become a regional success, Knox said.

QUOTABLE

“I think it can be a sort of game-changer for downtown Cornelius which has done ok but has not really taken off.”

—Charles Knox, The Knox Group

Business Today

BANKING

from page 1

March 2017

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BANK NEAR. GO FAR. loan growth is up, the profitability has gional banks and super regional banks are looking at North Carolina,” he says. increased.”

Davis credits the high-tech, pharmaceuNet-inmigration is helping North Carolina GDP grow faster than the ticals, manufacturing and healthcare secnation as a whole, helping state-char- tors for strong growth in N.C. banks—not tered banks achieve strong results, Da- just in-migration—but “never leave out the vis says. It also means that North Caro- military.”

Fort Bragg is the largest military base lina’s dwindling number of community banks will continue to be acquisition in the world with more than 50,000 active duty personnel. targets.

North Carolina’s trump card, as it were, FNB Corp., parent of First National Bank of Pennsylvania, is acquiring Yadkin Fi- may be Trump. The president is proposing nancial Corp., based in Elkin. The merger, to increase military spending by $54 billion worth $1.4 billion, is expected to be com- and cut nonmilitary programs by the same pleted by March 13 and represents the larg- amount—a good thing for the home of the est in the history of FNB, which enters the world’s largest base.

Trump’s assault on government reguNorth Carolina market for the first time.

“We are very pleased to receive final lation also bodes well for banks, Davis regulatory approval which enables FNB says, explaining that the onerous rules to complete this transformational merger,” and nitpicking in Dodd-Frank will likely be says Vincent J. Delie Jr., president and CEO tweaked.

“Just the attitude of the regulators I think of FNB. Davis says there is still plenty of room will be different,” he adds.

The Consumer Financial Protection for community banks and smaller banks in Bureau, Davis says, is “a dictatorship that North Carolina.

“If small community banks choose to reports to no one,” yet held enormous stay independent, they can do that for sway over community bankers. It appears the agency, which was created after the fisure,” Davis says.

In markets that are not growing, loan nancial crisis in 2008, will be dramatically growth—precisely what banks want—is reined in.

Rising interest rates will also help banks, carved from another bank’s market share.

The abundance of overall economic by improving the margins on the loans they growth, especially in markets like Raleigh make. “Rates will go up again, as early as and Charlotte, means there are more good next month,” Davis says, forecasting more M&A activity. times to come for local banks.

“Bankers are optimistic. There is a “If you look at North Carolina, we’re still in the Top 10 in terms of population growth changing for regulatory environment, just specific regulations, but the attiand we have job growth in excess •ofCommercial 2 per- not Real Estate Loans • Commercial Checking tudeofof the regulators…there is a stroncent, while the Southeast is 1.7 percent,” • Business Lines Credit • Remote Deposit Capture Equipment ger, Loans • Cash Management Services growing economy and a moderate Davis says, guessing that the N.C.• growth rate will come in at 2.25 percent in 2016, increase in interest rates, which means compared to about 1.7 percent for the na- slightly larger margins. All of it is good for the economy, all is positive,” Davis tion as a whole.

“There is no doubt that a number of re- says.

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Business Today

20 March 2017

Hot Properties 2017 looks like more of the same: Tight inventories, rising prices Residential resale prices are up 5.6 percent year over year in Charlotte, a little less than the national average, but a strong showing nevertheless.

Charlotte has traditionally seen more moderation around highs and lows than cities like San Francisco or Miami.

The national average for December 2016 over December 2015 was 5.8 percent.

According to the Charlotte Regional Realtors Association the median home sales price has increased 7.5 percent while closed sales in the area have increased 8.4 percent.

Seattle led the way with a 10.8 percent year-over-year price increase in December, followed by Portland with 10 percent, and Denver with an 8.9 percent increase.

Tax reform

Obviously this is great news for the

18502 Green Knoll Trace in River Run has sold for $890,000

local market. But tax reform, including a proposal that would double the standard deduction from $12,600 to

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$24,000 for a couple filing jointly, has some Realtors on edge.

Could that cause future buyers to rent instead of purchase?

“Interest rates continue to reside at historic lows so the mortgage interest deduction has remained minimal,” says Kathleen Kercher, luxury specialist at Re/Max Executive “It is believed by many that most individuals would therefore opt for a standard deduction. Homeowners can still minimize their taxes by deducting their real estate taxes as well as other items pertaining to their home,” she says.

Low inventory

Inventory is still at record lows in many areas of Charlotte, so appre-

ciation is almost a sure thing. In fact, Realtors say more people are flipping homes as prices continue their upward climb.

“Home ownership is often about gaining equity for your future. Home ownership still stands as one of the largest single investments most people will ever make in their lifetime—thus creating another reason to purchase when the time and situation are right for the buyer,” Kercher says.

Home prices are expected to increase at a slightly slower rate than in 2016. The October to November price increase in Charlotte was .3 percent; from November to December resale prices climbed .1 percent.

Continued on page 21

We'll help you find targeted business marketing solutions with ads in Business Today Contact Gail Williams - gail.todaypubs@gmail.com 704-895-1335 - www.businesstodaync.com A lakefront house at 17811 Largo Place in Cornelius has sold for $871,000

Business Today

March 2017

21

Hot Properties

8160 Mallard Road in Lincoln Forest has sold for $1.05 million Continued from page 20

“Home prices continue to advance, with the national average rising faster than at any time in the last two-and-ahalf years,” says David M. Blitzer, the managing director at S&P Dow Jones.

What’s next?

With all 20 cities in the S&P data base seeing prices rise over the last year, questions about whether this is a normal housing market or if prices could be heading for a fall are natural.

Looking at real or inflation-adjusted home prices based on S&P, the annual increase in home prices is 3.8 percent.

Since 1975, the average pace has been 1.3 percent. Two-thirds of the time, Blitzer says, the rate is between -4 percent and +7 percent.

Home prices are rising, but the speed is not alarming, he says.

In Cabarrus

Diane Honeycutt, with Allen Tate in Concord, says the first two months of 2017 are off to a strong start “holding its own with 2016.”

Showings across all price points continue to increase, particularly in the luxury category with showings up dramatically. Inventory remains tight under $250,000 in Cabarrus County with extremely short market time if priced properly and staged to sell.

“The luxury price point has a little longer market time but we are definitely

seeing an increased activity and improvement,” Honeycutt says.

In Cornelius

A lakefront house at 17811 Largo Place in Cornelius has sold for $871,000 after being listed at $975,000

by Jan Cameron with Allen Tate a year ago. The 3,400 square foot house on the property—a little more than three-fourths of an acre—is likely a tear down. Naturally, it has good views of the lake. The selling agent was Renee Hornor, with Mooresville Realty.

In Davidson

A 4,000 square foot house at 18502 Green Knoll Trace in River Run has sold for $890,000 after being listed at $900,000 by Bret Mastery of Lake Realty. The house, which has an inground pool and newly finished hardwoods, was on the market two weeks.

The house has a two-story family room and a master on the main floor.

The selling agent was Ryan Miller of Allen Tate.

plete with its own kitchen and private bath. The Craftsman-style house has exposed beams and double tray ceil-

ings. Robyn Oakley, with Keller Williams, was the selling agent. It was on the market a little over three months.

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Business Today

22 March 2017

Personal Finance

The First Time I Thought of it...

Editor Dave Yochum nebiztoday@gmail.com Sales & Marketing Director Gail Williams gail.todaypubs@gmail.com

You & Your Money

General Manager Stephen Nance production.todaypubs@gmail.com Contributing Writers Erica Batten, Cheryl Kane, Marty Price, Dave Vieser, Dave Friedman, Cathryn Piccirillo Sherman

BY CHRISTOPHER W. DAVIS

It was summer 1981, age 26, that I learned an important financial and life principle. Sailing off Wrightsville Beach with a friend and his father I saw an afternoon storm approach in the distance. My mind went nautical as I attempted to calculate our distance from safe harbor, the speed of the boat and speed of the storm.

I watched. I waited. I wondered, when will Mr. Fox instruct Jim and I to bring in the jib, and motor us back to safe harbor?

Instructions came. We motored into Wrightsville sound, just ahead of the storm. Still thinking nautical, I just had to ask, “Mr. Fox, how did you know when to tell Jim and I to bring in the sails?” He looked up and simply said, “The first time I thought of it.”

Has this ever happened to you?

Did you see the winds change in your financial life? Did you see a potential black cloud on your personal financial horizon? Like me, did you go “nautical” trying to analyze all the variables without answering the most basic question, “Is

it time?” Suppose there is a looming need for liquidity from your investment portfolio in 2018? What if this is the first time you thought about it? Will the second time be too late?

Clearly, I am not advising market timing, day trading, reacting to every bit of financial news, quick start decisions without fact-finding.

This is not a stock market call. This is not about all the external “storm clouds” that are out there; ISIS, China, BREXIT and other looming geopolitical events. We cannot control the financial markets and those things that drive it both short-term and long-term. Obviously, you and your financial advisor can and do take these all into account as a part of an investment plan and investment policy statement.

What is on your personal horizon? The optimist in me tells me that things will be OK The rational optimist in me says they will be okay if I act on and start preparing for important hard stuff, today. For example, when and to whom will I transfer my business or business responsibilities? When and how

do I transition my investment CHRIS DAVIS assets from growth to income? What are the potential storm clouds in my life? Are they still too distant to address? And, there are celebrations on the way that need to be financed as well; college, weddings, financially assisting family members needing help as they cross their own threshold towards financial independence. Also, there are always looming capital campaigns for worthy nonprofits. 2018 is coming. Personally, I am not getting any younger or smarter. Are you? Are you ready?

Let today be “The first time you thought about it.”

Christopher W. Davis, a Certified Financial Planner, is managing director-investments at Davidson Wealth Management, Wells Fargo Advisors in Davidson. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, Davis has been an investment adviser since 1981. His column will appear monthly.

face increasing distractions or social pressure that drive them toward shallow work. Newport develops his ideas with a blend of formal research, stories and personal accounts about the challenges and rewards of deep work. He provides tips for arranging your life to support deep work, which he sees as valuable, productive and rare. He makes his case persuasively

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: Sales Growth Professor Cal Newport presents a multipart argument for deep, concentrated work. He explains that work that demands your full focus is intrinsically valuable and rewarding. You need to be able to handle “deep work” to succeed in an information economy. Yet people

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and even poetically. getAbstract recommends his guidance to knowledge workers and anyone else who is seeking flow, creativity or focus.

Cal Newport. Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.

Grand Central, 2016. 304 pages. ISBN-13: 9781455586691.

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

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2017

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SOLD

$299,000 | Cornelius | 0.98 acres Updated Kitchen | Huge fenced back yard

$850,000 | Waterfront | Pool | Private Dock | Screened Porch | Updated Kitchen

$650,000 | 40 Acres | Pond Gated Property | Pool

$2,399,000 | Waterfront | 1.87 acres Amazing Covered Porches | Private Dock

$3,499,000 | Waterfront | Cornelius Private Dock | 4 Car Garage

SOLD!

$3,150,000| 2 Waterfront Lots | Mooresville | Amazing Views | 3.6 acres

NEW LISTING!

$380,000 - $659,000 | 2 Waterfront Lots Available

$2,900,000 | 8486 sq ft | Pool & Hot Tub Gated Community | 7 Car Garage

Lance Carlyle 704-252-0237

Marci Carlyle 704-451-8399

$2,199,000 | Waterfront | 8000+ sq ft | 4 Car Garage | The Peninsula

$1,950,000 | Waterfront | 3 Levels | Master on Main Cornelius| Pool & Hot Tub | Amazing Kitchen

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$929,000 | The Peninsula | On Golf Course Master on Main | Great Kitchen

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Terry Donahue 321-402-8543

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Al Strickland 704-201-7244

Tammy Godwin 704-650-0296

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19520 W Catawba Ave Suite 113 | Cornelius, NC 28031 | 704-895-4676 Office | www.CarlyleProperties.com