Good news for NC

Among all the bad news we continue to hear about things going on in NC, here is some good news:

"North Carolina Named Nation's "Top Business Climate" for 5th Consecutive Year
Gov. Bev Perdue announced on Tuesday that North Carolina remains the state with the “Top Business Climate,” according to Site Selection magazine. It is the fifth year in a row and the eighth time in nine years that the state has taken the top honor in the annual ranking by Site Selection, one of the nation’s premier magazines for economic development.

“Business leaders know we are listening to them and working aggressively to meet their needs,” Perdue said. “Companies know that in North Carolina they will find top-quality talent, world-class infrastructure, a pro-business environment, and premier education institutions. North Carolina is simply a great place to do business.”

Site Selection Editor-in-Chief Mark Arend agreed that North Carolina’s winning streak “demonstrates that businesses are finding in the state what they need to succeed.” He added, “The synergy between North Carolina’s research parks, corporations, communities, and economic developers at the state and local levels is a major factor in this year’s top ranking.”

Site Selection magazine’s annual “Top Business Climate” rankings are based on quantitative and qualitative factors that corporate site-seekers – those who help companies expand or relocate – say they consider most important.

The article about North Carolina’s No. 1 ranking can be found at www.siteselection.com.

Buy "Energy Star" Appliances During 2nd Annual Tax-Free Weekend
North Carolina consumers can take advantage of some major savings on energy efficient appliances during the state’s second annual tax-free weekend for selected ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, which runs Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8. Consumers will not have to pay state or local sales taxes on home appliances such as clothes washers, freezers, refrigerators and other items that carry the “Energy Star” label.

“Saving money, conserving our natural resources, and boosting the green economy – that’s a winning combination,” said Gov. Bev Perdue.

Products that earn the “Energy Star” label operate more efficiently and that means they help cut the production of greenhouse gases. These appliances use less energy to save consumers money on their power bills.

Eligible items include: clothes washers, freezers, refrigerators, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats. They must carry the “Energy Star” label, meaning they meet the energy efficient standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Designated appliances are exempt from state and local sales and use taxes when purchased between 12:01 a.m. Friday and 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Appliances purchased for use in a trade or business and for rentals are not covered by the exemption. Purchases of qualifying “Energy Star” products by contractors who will install the products in structures for customers are subject to the tax even when purchased during the holiday.

For additional information, see the N.C. Revenue Department Energy Star tax holiday fact sheet at http://www.dornc.com/aboutus/education/salestax_holiday_energy_star.pdf.

11 Recovery Projects Among $56.6 Million Awarded for Highway Projects Across North Carolina
18 contracts totaling $56.6 million have been awarded for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina, including 11 projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The contracts were awarded by the N.C. Department of Transportation to the lowest respective bidder, as required by state law.

“These recovery projects continue to help us to put North Carolinians to work and to deliver critical infrastructure improvements that will have a long-lasting economic impact on our state,” said. Gov. Perdue.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and according to the construction industry, every dollar invested in transportation generates $6 in economic impact.

The 11 recovery projects are located in Anson, Cabarrus, Craven, Greene, Iredell, Johnston, Nash, Orange, Rockingham, Wilson and Yadkin counties. The seven other projects are located in Cabarrus, Chatham, Randolph, Richmond, Scotland, Stanly and Union counties. See the attached list for respective start dates.

The bids received on all 18 projects advertised came in 16.5 percent, or about $11.1 million, below NCDOT estimates.

For more information about funding for infrastructure improvements in North Carolina, as well as other NCDOT projects and activities, visit www.ncdot.gov.

Gov. Perdue Launches New Website in Response to Federal 'Race to the Top' Initiative
Gov. Bev Perdue this week launched racetothetop.nc.gov and called upon North Carolinians to participate in the federal “Race to the Top” initiative. As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Race to the Top is a federal $4.5 billion competitive grant fund that rewards states for educational innovation and achieving significant improvements in how students perform.

In addition to providing information about North Carolina’s Race to the Top efforts, the new website seeks ideas and suggestions from the public regarding new education innovations and reforms.

“North Carolina is already a national leader in educational innovation,” said Perdue. “We are turning around low-performing schools, working to lower the dropout rate and creating a network for virtual school learning opportunities so all students are career ready. I’m confident that our state is in a good position to receive Race to the Top funding.”

Israeli Foam Manufacturer to Bring 72 Jobs to Franklin County
Gov. Bev Perdue on Monday announced that Palziv North America, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of thermoplastic cross-linked polyethylene foam, will open a new North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in Franklin County. The company will invest $7.8 million and create 72 jobs in Louisburg. The announcement was made possible in part by a $250,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“North Carolina continues to attract manufacturing firms looking for the perfect location to invest and create new jobs,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our state’s trained workforce, strategic location and superb quality of life are key site selection factors for new and expanding companies.”

Palziv will utilize a currently empty Louisburg building to create a new North American headquarters and U.S.-based foam manufacturing facility to better serve the company’s North American, South American and Canadian markets. Palziv will produce cross-linked foam blocks and rolls from polyethylene pellets for a variety of applications.

North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state continues to work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain workers, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future."