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Agriculture
THE COURIER TIMES: NC A&T to hold February hemp conference
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University will host a hemp conference for small farmers from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Alumni-Foundation Event Center, 200 N. Benbow Road, Greensboro. The conference, organized by A&T’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will provide practical information for small farmers who are growing hemp or considering whether to grow hemp.
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Carolinas hit hard as US family farms declaring bankruptcy spiked in 2019, data shows
All signs pointed to a difficult year for farms in 2019. New data confirms it. The number of family farms filing for Chapter 12 bankruptcy last year spiked 20 percent nationally, according to a study by the American Farm Bureau Federation. That’s the highest increase since 2010, the year after the Great Recession ended.
Economic Development
THE DISPATCH: 2019 film production season finishes strong
North Carolina wrapped up 2019 with production companies spending more than $167 million in direct in-state expenses, the most money spent on television and film projects in the last five years, according to a press release from Gov. Roy Cooper’s office.
TAMPA BAY BUSINESS JOURNAL: Jabil division invests $16.5 million in North Carolina operations
A division of Jabil Inc. will invest over $18 million in its North Carolina operations. Nypro, a provider of precision plastic products for the health care sector, will fund $18.5 million in its Asheville, North Carolina operations along with the Buncombe County Commission and the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County.
Education
ABC 11: More North Carolina teachers are staying in the state
According to a new report, fewer teachers are leaving North Carolina.The North Carolina State Board of Education released its report on teacher turnover. It found that slightly more than 7,000 of North Carolina’s 94,000 public school teachers left last school year. That number fell for the third consecutive year. The State Board of Education is planning to address the report at its next meeting Feb. 5.
Healthcare
NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: Federal proposal could change the face of Medicaid in North Carolina
The Trump Administration announced a proposal Thursday that could potentially transform how Medicaid functions in some areas. The proposal would let states opt into a lump-sum funding system to pay for the health care needs of low-income, working-age adults.
Government
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Federal judge rejects effort to dismiss charges in NC’s biggest political bribery case
A federal judge has rejected efforts to dismiss charges against North Carolina businessman Greg Lindberg and two associates in what would be the state’s biggest case of political bribery. Thursday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn Jr. came just over two weeks before the scheduled Feb. 18 start of a trial in Charlotte.
Technology
TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL: By the numbers: Tech jobs, salaries on the rise in North Carolina, economist says
The outlook for the technology sector in North Carolina remains robust. “North Carolina remains one of the best tech states and we think it could be even better,” Ted Abernathy, managing partner of consultancy Economic Leadership LLC, told a group assembled at the Research Triangle Foundation Thursday for the Triangle release of the North Carolina Technology Association’s State of Technology 2020 Industry Report.
WUNC: Tech Industry Jobs In NC On The Rise
Employment in North Carolina’s tech industry grew by nearly 21% between 2013 and 2018, the third highest growth rate in the sector nationwide. The North Carolina Tech Association found average wages in the tech sector also made the biggest ever year-on-year jump in 2018. The average wage for tech workers in 2018 was $130,000.
Transportation
CBS 17: NCDOT seeks public’s ideas for 10-year transportation plan
From interstate improvements to turn lanes, North Carolina’s Department of Transportation is asking residents to advise which projects they want funded over the next 10 years. A statewide public comment period to submit ideas continues through Feb. 28 for the 10-year transportation plan for 2023-2032.