Articles

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Gaston, once a manufacturing sector powerhouse, now lags Union
   February 28, 2013

Local perceptions may not have caught up with the new reality in the Charlotte region’s manufacturing economy. Even before the recession began in 2007, declines in the textile and furniture industries were changing the structure of local employment. As the downturn continued, counties that depended less on textile and furniture manufacturing lost fewer jobs. The result: Several counties... Read more


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Advanced manufacturing: Economic lifeline?
   February 28, 2013
Jeff Michael
North Carolina's young people are increasingly steered away from manufacturing jobs. But many people now believe manufacturing has more promise than the low-wage service jobs that dominate the limited options for young people outside the state’s urban areas. (Photo: GMI) Read more


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HOT lanes: A hot topic at Huntersville meeting
   February 28, 2013

Huntersville Town Hall was the setting for Wednesday afternoon’s public information meeting about HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes proposed on I-77. HOT lanes are a red-hot topic, and citizens were vocal about their concerns. Is the region ready to accept pay-as-you-go highways? (Photo: Melissa Currie) Read more


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Neighborhood schools? More city parents are taking a fresh look
   February 27, 2013
Mae Israel
In at least a half-dozen older Charlotte neighborhoods many white, middle-income families avoided sending their children to neighborhood schools with a majority of low-income, minority students.  Some parents are now taking a closer look at those nearby schools. (Photo: Keihly Moore) Read more


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A night for children's rights
   February 20, 2013

Not in my neighborhood. That is what many people think when they hear about child abuse and human trafficking. In reality, these crimes occur in neighborhoods across the nation, and Charlotte is no exception. Read more


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Harness the power of data: Charlotte Data Day
   February 20, 2013

On March 26 the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County will host a forum in uptown Charlotte designed to tell the public about powerful sources of data and how to use them. Read more


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Measure to encourage low-income housing wins council OK
   February 19, 2013
Mary Newsom
The Charlotte City Council passed a measure to to try to encourage developers to build low-income housing in affluent neighborhoods, heard pro- and con- comments about a proposed outlet mall, and designated a historic landmark. Read more


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Brightwalk, new community with green heart
   February 18, 2013

Brightwalk is unique among Charlotte’s new developments, and not just for its size and location –1,000 homes on 98 acres 2 miles from uptown. What also sets Brightwalk apart is that it will make environmental art a central part of the neighborhood. (Don’t know what environmental art is? We have an article and photos that explain it.) Read more


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Is the Charlotte region ready for another boom?
   February 14, 2013

Times have been tough in the local economy, but it looks as if we’ve finally turned the corner. If growth is starting to make a comeback, exactly where will it be? Is your county ready? (Photo:  U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office) Read more


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We know what doesn't work. Why keep doing it?
   February 13, 2013

When it comes to transforming schools, we don’t lack for solutions. To be successful, though, we must overcome barriers to how we use data to inform our policy decisions. (Photo: Amy Hawn Nelson) Read more