Local/State
At long last, Joseph Sledge gets a shot at freedom
John Skvarla moves to NC Commerce Department, replaces Secretary Sharon …
RALEIGH After two years overseeing the state’s environmental regulations, John Skvarla has a new challenge: leading the state Commerce Department as it navigates a new public-private partnership to recruit jobs.
Skvarla, who heads the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will replace Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker. Gov. Pat McCrory announced her resignation Tuesday. She will depart Dec. 31 to lead a digital media company.
Skvarla will work closely with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, which began under Decker and combines state funds and private contributions to oversee job recruitment and tourism. On Monday, that group hired Missouri economic developer Christopher Chung as its new CEO.
Decker was praised by McCrory for creating the partnership as he tearfully announced her departure. “She stepped on a lot of toes to make that happen, and the results are already starting to show,” McCrory said.
Five companies, including Duke Energy, Red Hat and Lenovo, have contributed a total of $440,000 to help launch the partnership.
But some critics have warned that the new partnership could face ethical conflicts because its business donors could also seek state grants and other assistance. Skvarla said Tuesday that it will be “absolutely critical … to make sure that we maintain the proper separation and the proper transparency.”
He compared the challenges involved to his work at DENR drafting coal ash regulations in the wake of a spill at Duke Energy’s coal ash pond on the Dan River in February.
“Kind of like the coal ash blueprint, nobody’s ever done this before,” he said. “We are breaking new ground here.”
But some argue that the partnership’s cozy relationship with business interests will cause problems regardless of who serves as commerce secretary.
“The problem isn’t who is heading the Department of Commerce, the problem is how we’re doing economic development in North Carolina,” said Allan Freyer of the N.C. Justice Center, a nonprofit advocacy group. “We have pay-to-play incentive granting.”
Rocky road at DENR
Skvarla’s tenure at DENR has been rocky. His appointment was met with skepticism by environmental advocates. They noted that he had expressed doubts about the science behind climate change and argued that under his leadership, DENR served the interests of the industry.
In 2013 – Skvarla’s first year – fines dropped to $518,000. They had previously totaled about $2 million a year from 2006 to 2008.
The department also cut positions when it merged its water quality staff into the Division of Water Resources during his tenure.
“It seemed too often that Secretary Skvarla viewed the customer as industries that were looking for weakened regulations,” said Dave Rogers of Environment North Carolina.
But Lisa Martin of the N.C. Home Builders Association said developers often complained, before Skvarla’s time, that it was hard to get decisions from DENR.
Skvarla, she said, succeeded in reorganizing the department’s structure, mission and attitudes.
McCrory also praised Skvarla for DENR’s role in crafting energy policy, one of the governor’s top priorities. The department also helped shape coal legislation that put Duke on a 15-year timeline for closing its ash ponds.
But others saw the relationship between DENR and Duke as too friendly.
The U.S. Justice Department began a criminal probe of the agency in February, seeking records of its relationship with Duke Energy dating back to 2010 – two years before Skvarla took office.
And legislators pointedly put the new Coal Ash Management Commission in the Department of Public Safety.
“For better or for worse, his administration and his agency are going to be remembered for actions around the coal ash spill,” Rogers said.
For his part, Skvarla argues that he strengthened regulations of coal ash and well water quality.
“I contend that the hoopla about coal ash was as much political as it was real,” he said. “The reality is we are running this agency very well.”
‘Another adventure’
McCrory said Skvarla has done a good job at DENR and thinks he’s the best possible pick for Commerce. “I’m very lucky to have John take on this very important job,” McCrory said.
Some environmentalists said the Commerce Department is a better fit for Skvarla’s pro-business approach. “My first reaction was I think he’d be much more comfortable there,” said Hope Taylor, executive director of Clean Water for North Carolina. “I would say his heart has clearly been more with the economic development side.”
Skvarla, who will make $136,000 annually, said he’s looking forward to the new role, noting that jobs are “the only issue that 100 percent of our residents care about.” And he said his time at DENR will be “absolutely invaluable.”
“Going to Commerce, it’s just another adventure,” he said. “I have had the most marvelous rocket ride of opportunity.”
McCrory said he’s interviewing internal and external candidates for the DENR post and plans to appoint someone later this month. Environmental groups say they hope the governor will take a different direction with the new hire.
“One would hope that he would choose somebody who actually had regulatory experience,” Taylor said.
Bruce Henderson of the Charlotte Observer contributed
Tagged with: Charlotte
Visitors bureau director named
The governing board of Greenville-Pitt County Convention Visitors Bureau on Monday announced the appointment of one of its longtime managers as its new executive director.
Andrew Schmidt is a 23-year veteran of the hospitality industry with a mix of hotel, destination marketing and academic experience. For the past 19 years, he has worked as the sales and marketing manager for the agency.
For the last year, he also has served as the interim executive director, filling the vacancy left by retiring director Debbie Vargas.
As interim, Schmidt’s salary was $65,748. Schmidt said Monday that he was unsure exactly what his new salary would be.
“I am both excited and honored to be chosen to lead our Convention Visitors Bureau in the coming years,” Schmidt said. “I look forward to working with the bureau’s outstanding staff and our local industry partners to make Greenville and Pitt County the preferred hospitality destination in our state.”
Schmidt earned his undergraduate and master’s of public administration degrees from East Carolina University, where he also works as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Human Ecology’s School of Hospitality Leadership.
For the past 15 years he has taught courses in hospitality marketing, convention sales and convention services.
Schmidt currently serves on the board of several state travel and tourism organizations, including the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina, the North Carolina Travel Industry Association and the North Carolina Sports Association.
He also is a former president and board member of Meeting Professionals International-Carolinas Chapter as well as a past board member of the Association Executives of North Carolina and the North Carolina Society of Government Meeting Professionals.
Schmidt has earned several awards for his work and service in the meetings and hospitality industry, including the Meeting Professionals’ Supplier of the Year award, Presidents award and Legacy award and the AENC Patsy B. Smith Award.
Tagged with: North Carolina
Back over the river and through the woods – Asheville Citizen
“Over the river and through the woods” is the song that conjures up fond memories of holiday trips to celebrate with loved ones. Shortly after the first Thanksgiving, early settlers started migrating west in search of cheaper, less crowded and more available land. Ironically, today’s cheaper, less crowded and open land is more often found in the rural east and far western sections early settlers left.
The litany of rural problems grows longer each year; beginning with the exodus of young people, empty storefronts, declining health and inadequate and crumbling infrastructure. But as we enter this holiday season, there is reason to hope for rural North Carolina.
While population shifts have resulted in fewer rural lawmakers, a close examination shows many of the powerful leaders come from rural counties, including Cleveland, Rutherford, Wayne, Onslow, Rockingham and Henderson. Rural leaders must understand that in this era of smaller, less intrusive governments their solutions won’t come from Raleigh, but it helps to have sympathetic legislative leaders.
A further reason to hope comes from The Rural Center. Like the mythical ‘‘Rise of the Phoenix,’’ this organization has spent the last year in a thorough self-examination of its mission and leadership and has risen to become a renewed, re-energized force ready to assume the needed role as the lead advocate and cheerleader for rural North Carolina. That evaluation reinforced the need for cooperative partnerships from business, nonprofits, agribusiness, religious and education groups in finding new solutions to rural problems.
To illustrate, the Carolina Population Center at UNC Chapel Hill partnered with economists from East Carolina University to help rural communities better understand the past, present and projected demographics and economics of an area, information essential to developing a rural strategic plan. The Golden Leaf Foundation, along with other corporations and foundations can help provide start-up funding with local businesses, churches and civic groups providing other resources. The Rural Center can be the repository helping put resources and people together. Even some counties within regions are learning the value of cooperating rather than competing with each other.
Some will take advantage of natural resources to develop hospitality and tourism. Others will expand amenities for the growing number of retirees searching for a better climate and more gracious living. Yes, there is a place for manufacturing, but not yesterday’s big box plants. Nearby community colleges will help prepare workers for new technologies and skills required by employers hiring fewer employees using advanced manufacturing. And let us never underestimate the economic power and potential of agriculture. Fewer than one in 10 work on a farm today but agriculture is tasked with doubling food production over the next few years and is critical to rural success.
In some instances, mandates will force us to participate. For example, the courts have ruled all children are entitled to basic rights of education and the state must comply; rulings regarding other services are likely to follow. And larger cities are learning what happens when too many people clog up roads and put demands on water, sewer and other public services. Thankfully, many love and want the rural way of life, but we’re all in this effort together.
Over the river and through the woods can be the road for a better rural North Carolina.
Tom Campbell is former assistant North Carolina State Treasurer and is creator/host of NC SPIN, a weekly statewide television discussion of NC issues airing Sundays at 5:00am on WLOS-TV. Contact him at www.ncspin.com.
Tagged with: Raleigh
Stella D’oro’s Popular Lady Stella Cookies Return to Shelves Just in Time for …
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Stella D’oro’s Popular Lady Stella cookies return to store shelves just in time for National Cookie Day on Dec. 4.
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Stella D’oro’s Popular Lady Stella cookies return to store shelves just in time for National Cookie Day on Dec. 4.
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Stella D’oro’s Popular Lady Stella cookies return to store shelves just in time for National Cookie Day on Dec. 4.
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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Stella D’oro®, a manufacturer of premium Italian cookies, breakfast treats and breadsticks since 1930, announces the return of cookie lovers’ favorite Lady Stella® assortment cookies due to popular demand. To celebrate the comeback, Stella D’oro is donating 100,000 cookies to families in need and giving away coupons to fans on National Cookie Day, which is Thursday, Dec. 4.
Lady Stella includes Mini Chocolate Margherite®, Marble Cookie, Chocolate Sorrento, Mini Vanilla Margherite®, and Citrus Sorrento with colorful icing and sprinkles, delivered in a 10 oz. package. Despite being off the shelves for over five years, company officials say devoted fans continue to rank Lady Stella among the top five most popular Stella D’oro cookies.
“We wanted to surprise our consumers ahead of National Cookie Day with the exciting news that Lady Stella is back, thanks to their requests,” said Julie Balzer, Stella D’oro Brand Manager. “Social media has become a great tool for consumers to engage with us and shape the future of the brand. Lady Stella has a special place in their lives, and we are excited to honor that ritual. Our full gratitude goes out to our passionate brand loyalists and our inventive bakers.”
Lady Stella is now available in select retailers in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, with a national rollout to follow. Lady Stella is available for purchase by the case by calling 1-877-309-6361.
Stella D’oro will donate 100,000 of its Lady Stella cookies to Feeding America, which is a nationwide network of food banks that will distribute cookies to members across the Northeast.
“Our hope is to make the holidays a little sweeter for families this year with our donation of Stella D’oro cookies,” said Balzer. “Feeding America is leading the fight against hunger, which is a cause that is near and dear to us.”
In addition, beginning on National Cookie Day this Thursday, anyone can download a coupon to save on Lady Stella, while supplies last, from the Stella D’oro Facebook page (Facebook.com/StellaDoroCookies).
About Stella D’oro
Stella D’oro®, or “Star of Gold,” was the name of the original neighborhood bakery started by Italian native Joseph Kresevich and his wife in 1928. As the popularity of the bakery grew, the couple started selling their varieties of lightly sweet Italian baked goods under the Stella D’oro Biscuit Co. With more than twenty Stella D’oro products to choose from, customers can still taste the fresh-baked flavors of Joseph and Angela’s neighborhood bakery in every bite.
About Snyder’s-Lance, Incorporated
Snyder’s-Lance, Inc., headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., manufactures and markets quality snack foods throughout the United States and internationally. The Company’s products include pretzels, sandwich crackers, pretzel crackers, potato chips, cookies, tortilla chips, restaurant style crackers, nuts and other snacks. Snyder’s-Lance has manufacturing facilities in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Products are sold under the Snyder’s of Hanover®, Lance®, Cape Cod®, Pretzel Crisps®, Krunchers! ®, Tom’s®, Archway®, Jays®, Stella D’oro®, Eatsmart® and O-Ke-Doke® brand names along with other brand names and third party brands. Products are distributed nationally through grocery and mass merchandisers, convenience stores, club stores, food service outlets and other channels. For more information, visit www.snyderslance.com. LNCE-G
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SOURCE Stella D’oro
Tagged with: Charlotte
North Carolina researcher estimates coal ash damages to equal $300 million
$300 million. That’s the estimated pricetag one North Carolina researcher is putting on the coal ash spill from February.
And he’s predicting it could go even higher.
Dennis Lemly from Wake Forest University looked at economic, clean up, and tourism funds that are and will be lost. So far city leaders say Danville has been hit hard.
“The promise several months ago to make it right and they’ve done very little to make it right. It’s been agonizingly slow,” said Danville Vice Mayor Gary Miller.
Nine months after 39,000 tons of coal ash poured into the Dan River, Danville’s Vice Mayor Gary Miller still isn’t happy with Duke Energy.
“We are in serious negotiations and we have been for sometime with Duke people. We have our attorney, our attorneys and their attorneys” Miller said.
Miller says the spill may have kept an industry out of Danville that’s predicted to generate a billion dollar revenue and thousands of jobs.
It’s also hurt the city’s reputation.
“There are people who still won’t drink the water, who feel it was contaminated,” Miller said.
Danville’s damages are part of the predicted $300 million the spill is costing the Dan River region that spreads 70 miles from the spill site.
Research Biologist Dennis Lemly from Wake Forest University based his findings on effects six months after the spill.
The research article not yet published, describes the harm coal ash did to mussels and marine life that feed from the bottom of the river.
Environmentalists say a rare fish and mussel live in the region most effected by the spill. Caring for those endangered species could be costly.
Still some researchers say it’s too early to predict a cost of the damages.
Duke Energy is now working with several universities to study river movement and effects from coal ash.
Duke Energy has promised not to pass the cost of clean up to its customers.
The company is now pouring tens of millions of dollars into revitalization projects along the river.
One at Abreu Grogan Park is starting next year.
Tagged with: North Carolina
Buncombe commissioners swear in DeBruhl and name Belcher vice chair
New and smiling faces populated the crowd at the Buncombe County Commissioners meeting on Dec. 1, as four winners of the Nov. 4 elections took their oaths of office and commissioners elected a new vice chair.
Buncombe County Commissioners Ellen Frost, Miranda Debruhl, and Brownie Newman — and re-elected Sheriff Van Duncan — stood with their families as each, in turn, raised their right hands in front of a packed chambers. Later, the Board split 4-3 on the vice-chair vote, picking Republican Joe Belcher to the largely ceremonial position (albeit one with about a $5,250 pay raise).
After speaking the oath and signing their documents, each official gave a brief statement.
“I want to thank everyone for coming tonight,” said Frost, who kept her seat on the Board by defeating challenger Christina Merrill, Republican. Frost’s re-election helped Democrats retain their 4-3 majority on the Board. “I want to thank Buncombe County citizens for the incredible optimism they bring forward to what we do.”
Frost swore her oath on a Bible that belonged to Lillian Exum Clement Stafford of Black Mountain. Stafford was the South’s first elected female legislator. “Even before women had the right to vote, Buncombe County sent her to the legislature,” said Frost. “I’m honored that friends of the family drove this up from Greensboro. She was hard-driving, a trailblazer for women’s rights and voting rights. So, I hope we can carry on. I’m very honored by this, and I look forward to working. We’re going to have a great commission.”
“Thank you very much for being here tonight,” said Sheriff Van Duncan, who went next. “I appreciate the confidence you’ve had in me, and more importantly the 400-plus men and women and the Sheriff’s office, for the past eight years. I look forward to serving another four years. I thank you very much, and look forward to serving with the commissioners and everyone else.”
“I want to thank all the other elected officials that joined us this evening,” said Commissioner Newman, who was third in line. He had faced no opposition in Democrat stronghold District 1, which encompasses most of the city of Asheville. “I want to thank everyone who supported me since I’ve been elected to the [Board]. I’m really exciting to have to opportunity to serve again for another term … and the opportunities to continue working together to address the key challenges facing Buncombe County.”
Last up was newly elected Commissioner Debruhl, embarking on her first term of any sort in office: “I also want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who are here to show support for all of us. I am beyond honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the people of my community, so thank you.”
After the swearing-in ceremony, the commissioners convened for a succinct agenda. They voted 7-0 to approve a resolution for the Buncombe County Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority to issue $4,250,000 in bonds to Plasticard-Locktech, which manufactures the magnetic-stripped cards used for gift cards and hotel keys, among other applications. According to County Attorney Michael Frue, the resolution does not involve county money.
“The county is not obligated on any of these funds once they’re issued; it’s a method of financing for manufacturing of tangible personal property,” he said. “It had to come to this board because the Internal Revenue Code provisions require that the Board of Commissioners, in any locality where this money is being borrowed, approve it.”
The commissioners also elected by 4-3 vote Commissioner Belcher as vice chair. Newman was also nominated for the position, but Chair David Gantt, Debruhl, Fryar backed Belcher, while Frost and Jones tossed their support to Newman.
Finally, commissioners made appointments to a plethora of committees and boards. Commissioner Fryar was appointed to the Audit Committiee, Commissioners Newman and Frost to the Transportation Advisory Committee, Commissioner Belcher to the Tourism Development Authority, Commission Frost to the Crimestoppers Board of Directors, and Commissioner Jones to the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council. Commissioner Debruhl was appointed to the Health and Human Services Board, and Commissioner Newman was appointed to the Riverfront Development Board.
Commissioners take a long break for the holiday season, with their next meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 6, at their usual start time of 4:30 p.m.
Tagged with: Asheville
Tech Visionaries Form K4Connect: "Transforming the Internet of Things into the …
RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — A pair of veteran technology experts have joined forces to focus on making peoples’ lives better by seamlessly connecting the rapidly expanding number of electronic devices and services that make up the “internet of things.”
The duo, along with other technology and design experts, have formed K4Connect, a software development company co-founded by CEO F. Scott Moody, the former co-founder and CEO of AuthenTec and CTO Jonathan Gould, an automation visionary and entrepreneur.
Together they bring significant experience and expertise to this rapidly evolving market. As CEO of AuthenTec, Moody raised more than $70M in venture capital prior to taking the company public. Acquired by Apple, Inc. in 2012, the AuthenTec technology is now the Touch ID on the newest iPhones and iPad. Gould has extensive security, home and enterprise automation expertise, having founded and successfully sold his own A/V and home automation company, later founding and serving as the CTO of an automation company that developed software for numerous applications, including some of the largest resort complexes in the country.
The team joined forces in late 2013 and has concentrated on developing an open and adaptive software suite that can seamlessly connect virtually any number of third-party devices and services into a single integrated system — all managed by a universally designed application. The result is a patent-pending, flexible solution that can be used across multiple markets to create truly responsive environments, whether in an individual home or across large enterprises.
Unlike what are often closed or proprietary solutions, K4Connect’s open approach enables users to seamlessly combine a broad range of devices from virtually any provider across a number of different standards and communication protocols. Moreover, K4Connect does not build the various connected devices themselves – working instead with numerous manufacturers – making it one of the few companies in the market that does not compete with its partners and independent developers.
This open and modular approach allows customers to choose the best connected products on the market — based on functionality, price and aesthetics — to create beautiful environments that are truly responsive to their needs, something not possible with a single-vendor approach. K4Connect’s open architecture also is a boon for service and device developers — making it easier for them to create and bring new applications to market faster and reach a wider base of potential users.
“The tremendous potential of the ‘internet of things’ is often handcuffed by proprietary systems that force customers to adopt only one approach,” said Moody. “K4Connect’s mission is to make people’s lives better, so it is important to provide an open platform that enables everyone to work together to come up with the best solutions. This opens the door for everyone to participate – from startups to established companies, from beginners to experienced developers, and from individuals to large teams of innovators. There is no doubt that our clients, the end users, benefit from everyone truly working together. We believe this is fundamental to the industry’s success going forward, and is the cornerstone of our mission.”
K4Life
Inspired by the significant benefits for the disabled and aging communities, the company is also announcing its first product: K4Life – a home, wellness and life management system planned for introduction in 2015. The system, currently in beta test, has been specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals, as well as their families and professional caregivers, who may struggle to maintain their independence and quality of life.
“There are a lot of amazing new connected devices being introduced every day that help make life a little bit easier and more convenient. Yet they often fail to reach the very people who stand to benefit the most – the disabled and senior communities,” said Moody. “That is where we come in. We integrate and essentially re-purpose these mass-market oriented products to help make our clients’ lives simpler, healthier and happier — whether it is someone with MS or Parkinson’s, a veteran who may have been wounded in the service to their country, or an individual who, as they get a little older, may not be able to get around like they used to.”
K4Life features a powerful wireless control box that automatically connects and manages any number and combination of devices, including thermostats, locks, lights, security systems, blood pressure monitors, smoke alarms, pet feeders, TVs/stereos, activity trackers (wearables), scales, sensors, coffee makers and medicine dispensers — just to name a few. K4Life’s clients can also give their families and professional caregivers permission to remotely access these same services, providing an added layer of care and peace of mind for everyone involved.
“Many of the billion-plus disabled and aging individuals worldwide often struggle to maintain the balance of independence and safety they need, which often takes a tremendous emotional and financial toll on everyone involved,” said Moody. “We couldn’t think of a more compelling first application for our technology. Yet it goes well beyond the technology itself since our focus is squarely on the client, tailoring our products to meet their needs, making their lives easier and simpler, and in many cases enabling a level of independence not otherwise possible.”
When introduced, K4Life will be sold both directly to the consumer through various channels, as well as to businesses already serving these communities. In addition, K4Connect is in the process of launching a developer network (taking applications now on its website) to enable programmers and device makers to link additional products and services to the K4Life client communities.
About K4Connect
K4Connect is a software development company on a mission to leverage technology to help make peoples’ lives better. Using software technologies purposely developed to play across multiple markets, K4Connect can integrate any number of connected smart devices and services into a single responsive system. The result is our first product, K4Life, which is a complete home, wellness and life management system for those who benefit most – the disabled and senior citizen communities. For more information, visit K4Connect.com.
Media Contact: media@k4connect.com or 919-977-9879.
SOURCE K4Connect
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http://www.K4Connect.com
Tagged with: Raleigh
Countdown to college: What not to say in your ‘Why this college?’ essay
Local News
James Street Road in Bellingham wont reopen until January
Tagged with: Charlotte
North Carolina’s privatized economic development group gets new CEO, former …
North Carolina’s privatized economic development group already has a new leader, less than two months after the group officially launched in October.
Christopher Chung, 38, an experienced economic developer from Missouri, will begin Jan. 12 leading North Carolina’s job recruitment efforts.
Christopher Chung
He will replace Richard “Dick” Lindenmuth, 62, a business executive hired last January to help shift North Carolina’s job recruitment efforts from the state Commerce Department to the new privatized set-up.
Chung, who has led Missouri’s version of the privatized economic development efforts since 2007, was announced Monday through a press release from the economic development group, and came as a bit of a surprise.
An Ohio native, Chung holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and Japanese from Ohio State University and oversaw $80 million in financial incentives when leading Missouri’s public-private partnership.
UPDATE: Details were released Monday evening about Chung’s compensation. He will make an annual salary of $225,000, and can earn additional bonuses of up to 25 percent of his salary if he meets benchmarks that the economic development partnership board will make in January. Public money will be used for $120,000 of his salary, in line with the legislation that created the partnership. Chung’s moving expenses will also be covered, and he’ll be given a car once he arrives in North Carolina.
The new 17-member board for North Carolina’s economic development partnership held its first meeting on Nov. 15 at its Cary headquarters and made no mention about the potential hire during the open session of the public meeting.
Lindenmuth, who made $120,000 a year as the CEO of the partnership, will continue working with the group on a contract basis working on projects that will include expansion of high-speed internet services to rural parts of the state, data analysis and recruitment of veterans to the state, according to Monday’s press release from the economic development partnership.
Richard Lindenmuth
With most of his career spent managing or consulting for troubled companies, Lindenmuth came to the job with no economic development or public sector experience. An N.C Policy Watch investigation published earlier this year found that he’d been scrutinized by a federal bankruptcy judge for padding his expenses to a company in bankruptcy proceedings.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker applauded Chung’s hire.
“The Partnership is off to a strong start and is working closely with us to bring in new jobs,” Decker said, according to a news release from the partnership. “They have enjoyed strong leadership from day one, and now have in place a CEO and Board of Directors that will help ensure an excellent first year of economic growth in 2015.”
N.C. Policy Watch requested, but was not immediately provided, information about Chung’s salary , as well as details about Lindenmuth’s proposed contract work and his pay. (See update above for details about Chung’s salary)
North Carolina, through legislation passed this summer, shifted its tourism, marketing and business recruitment divisions in October to a the newly-created Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. A central piece of Gov. Pat McCrory’s jobs plan, the public-private partnership is funded with $16 million in public funds and less than $500,000 in private donations. The quasi-public method of economic development has had mixed results in other states. Supporters say moving economic development efforts outside of state government allows for more effective recruitment of new employers while detractors point out that other states have seen conflicts of interest and a pay-to-play culture emerge.
Tagged with: North Carolina