AGP Executive Report

Budget Watch: NC legislative leaders are still hashing out the final state budget details, with Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger now hinting the plan may not be finished on the originally expected June 15 timeline, though Republicans still aim to deliver before month’s end. Healthcare Competition: A Monday deadline is looming for Novant and UNC Health to submit proposals to expand New Hanover County hospital capacity through the state Certificate of Need process. Medicaid Shakeup: North Carolina’s Medicaid work requirement is getting clearer—and messier—after federal CMS guidance, leaving states to sort out who qualifies for exemptions like the “medically frail.” Food Safety: Clover Hill Dairy expanded a listeria-related advisory into a recall of all its cheese products, including items sold in North Carolina and other states. Energy Prep: Dominion Energy crews are months into hurricane readiness, including replacing thousands of utility poles and hardening hundreds of miles of lines. Data Center Jobs: Amazon’s multibillion-dollar fiber deal with Corning is set to create 1,000 jobs in North Carolina and expand fiber technician training with Catawba Valley Community College. Local Business & Safety: Crews responded to a fire that damaged multiple businesses in Macon County, with the cause under investigation.

Data Center Boom: Amazon signed a multibillion-dollar deal with Corning to supply fiber optic cables for its North Carolina data centers, with the company saying the pact will support hundreds of construction jobs plus more than 1,000 at Corning sites, and it also expands Corning’s fiber-optic training program at Catawba Valley Community College. Public Health: The FDA upgraded a voluntary recall of Alfredo sauce to a Class I, highest-risk action after a dry milk powder ingredient was linked to possible salmonella contamination; the recall covers 913 cases distributed to food service in 41 states, including North Carolina. Local Budgeting: Richmond County approved its 2026-27 budget, including a 4% pay increase for full-time employees and higher funding for first responders and rescue organizations. Business & Community: A Lexington fire relief effort is raising money through custom embroidery shirts to help uptown businesses rebuild after the May blaze. Policy Watch: North Carolina remains without a state budget as GOP leaders work toward a deal, with Senate leader Phil Berger saying a draft could be ready soon.

Duke Energy Watch: The NC Supreme Court upheld Duke’s 2023 rate hikes, and a new critique argues Chief Justice Paul Newby should have recused himself because his family holds Duke stock—raising fresh questions about conflicts and costs for customers. Small-Business Boost: The Duke Energy Foundation is handing out $500,000 in grants across North Carolina, with nonprofits able to apply for $25,000 and then fund microgrants up to $5,000 for local businesses. Local Development Dollars: Bladen County landed a $2.5 million CDBG-NR Neighborhood Revitalization grant for housing, infrastructure, and community projects. Workforce & Health: Migrant farmworker advocates warn that heat stress is already deadly in NC’s H-2A workforce, pushing for stronger protections ahead of a hot summer. State Policy: North Carolina lawmakers advanced a bill to set a minimum age limit for hemp and kratom products, including ID checks for sellers. Food Safety: The FDA issued a Class I recall for Alfredo sauce sold in 41 states after a dry milk ingredient was flagged for possible salmonella contamination. Sports Business: Durham’s Triangle Park chapter of The Links Inc. raised $ for regional programs at its White Rose Luncheon, drawing 400+ attendees.

World Cup & Local Economy: The FIFA World Cup kicks off today with Brazil vs. Morocco at 6 p.m. at MetLife Stadium, with Rutgers turfgrass headed to 10 host venues across North America—an unusual business win for New Jersey science and a reminder of how big events ripple into regional suppliers. Charlotte Housing: Atrium Health finalized a deal to transfer nearly 14 acres to Inlivian for future affordable housing tied to The Pearl medical innovation district, with plans for a large mixed-income community that could reshape Charlotte’s northern gateway. North Carolina Fiscal Pressure: A new look at the national debt frames the stakes for North Carolinians, warning that rising borrowing and entitlement costs could mean higher rates and tougher choices ahead. Cybercrime & Seniors: A North Carolina man was sentenced to prison for selling personal data of 7 million elderly Americans to scammers, fueling lottery fraud schemes. Construction & Growth: A Waxhaw outdoor-kitchen builder says summer demand is climbing as homeowners invest in backyard grilling setups. Healthcare Staffing Model: Physician Collaborators links NJ NPs and PAs with board-certified physicians to support independent practice—another sign of how care delivery is reorganizing.

Housing & Infrastructure Grants: Gov. Josh Stein and the NC Department of Commerce announced $13.7M in Community Development Block Grant–Neighborhood Revitalization awards for 13 communities, targeting housing rehab, infrastructure, and neighborhood improvements for low- and moderate-income residents. Local Elections: Republicans on the Wake County Board of Elections rejected NC State’s Talley Student Center as an early voting site, citing parking access concerns and swapping in a nearby building instead. Power & Heat Risk: A heat-and-humidity surge is stressing the East Coast grid, with Duke Energy operating at maximum output under a federal power emergency order to reduce blackout risk in the Carolinas. Sports Business: Wake Forest’s “Friday Night on White” is drawing crowds, but some small businesses say the street closures and disorder are hurting sales and safety. State Economy Watch: A new hiring-demand map shows North Carolina job openings down 1.7% since 2020, while states like Idaho and Mississippi remain elevated. Public Safety: Fire inspectors found a Jacksonville furniture store failed fire code months before a major blaze, raising questions about follow-up inspections. Community & Travel: Durham teens’ Ghana trip is back on track after visa delays nearly derailed their fundraising-backed journey.

Data Centers & Defense Policy: A House Armed Services amendment would block the Pentagon from leasing land for data centers unless companies agree not to use certain China, Russia, Iran or North Korea-made components—raising concerns about a “federal land penalty” for tech investment on military sites. Local Business & Growth: Liberty Waste Solutions bought Bill’s Trash Services, expanding residential routes across Harnett and into the Fayetteville market. Finance & Fraud: U.S. authorities charged a North Carolina man in a Napster owner deal, alleging he used forged bank records and a fake website to obtain hundreds of millions of shares without paying. Retail Expansion: Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse is rolling out to Grocery Outlet shelves across Washington, California, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Workforce & Weather: A new report warns extreme weather is becoming a workforce crisis, with most workers reporting disruptions and only a small share of employers prepared. Tech & Consumer Sentiment: Gas prices easing helped lift June consumer sentiment, though views of the economy remain dour. Social Media Disruption: Users reported Facebook and Instagram outages, with services slowly returning for some. Community & Agriculture: North Carolina Cooperative Extension plans a 5-county beef tour in Franklin County featuring regenerative farming tech and farm demos.

Healthcare & Workforce Policy: A bill in the NC Senate would cap pay for CEOs of nonprofit hospitals at 400 times the lowest-paid worker, a move lawmakers say is needed since these hospitals don’t pay many taxes. Public Safety & Accountability: A Lake Royale police officer was fired and charged after authorities say he had sex in his patrol car and then tossed his bodycam into a lake to cover it up. Transportation & Local Budgets: State Sen. Vickie Sawyer’s draft would require Charlotte and other local governments to repay about $60 million already spent designing the I-77 toll lanes, with state funding potentially withheld until it’s paid back. Consumer & Food Safety: A frozen kids’ pizza snack recall tied to metal contamination expanded to 21 states, with families facing a three-week gap before the FDA finalized the recall’s risk classification. Business & Economy: Shurtape Technologies earned multiple NC Department of Labor safety awards, including seven gold and one silver for 2025 performance. Tourism Impact: Hurricane Helene’s damage may have been localized, but Graham County still saw an 8.1% drop in visitor spending in 2024, with food and beverage and lodging hit hardest. State Politics & Events: North Carolina is among states declining to participate in Trump’s “Great American State Fair,” citing costs and focusing on other America 250 events.

Data Centers & Local Power: Charlotte approved a 150-day pause on new data centers, joining a growing list of NC local moratoriums as communities push for planning rules that match AI-driven electricity and water demands. Workforce Development: The North Carolina Business Committee for Education and the Siemens Foundation are launching 12 Summer Electrical Academies to train 220 students at community colleges, aiming to build a pipeline for electrical careers. Retail & Travel Growth: Buc-ee’s broke ground on its first NC location in Mebane, targeting an opening in November 2027—while nearby residents and an Indigenous-led group raise concerns about traffic, infrastructure costs, and environmental impacts. Restaurants: Papa John’s plans to close about 300 locations across North America by 2027, including stores in North Carolina, as it streamlines underperforming franchise restaurants. Politics & Taxes: NC lawmakers advanced constitutional amendments that would let the General Assembly control local property tax levy limits, a move local officials warn could squeeze funding for core services. Public Health: A boil-water advisory was issued for Mount Holly after a water main break, with residents told to boil water until at least Thursday evening. Sports Betting: North Carolina reported a 3% increase in May sports bets, underscoring continued momentum in the state’s wagering market.

Helene Relief Push: Gov. Josh Stein met with North Carolina’s congressional delegation in Washington to request about $10.15 billion in additional federal aid for western NC recovery, including major asks for housing repairs, water and stormwater infrastructure, local roads and dams, and economic recovery. Auto Liability: A class action has been filed against Honda over a recall affecting about 440,000 Odyssey minivans, alleging side airbags can deploy after potholes and rough roads even without a crash—coverage includes North Carolina. Property Taxes: The NC House approved a bill that would pause use of new property values from county revaluations for Guilford and Davidson, sending it to Gov. Josh Stein for review. DMV Modernization: North Carolina DMV is expanding digital services, letting drivers upload proof of insurance from a mobile device and cutting friction with online/text-based workflows. Food Insecurity: Vontier donated $25,000 to the NACS Foundation’s Neighborhood Nourish program in Raleigh, partnering with Convoy of Hope to pack 10,000 pounds of groceries for families. Energy & Prices: Inflation rose 4.2% year over year in May, with energy costs driving the increase as consumers adjust spending and gas prices remain volatile.

Mortgage Scam Refunds: The FTC and California regulators ordered Home Matters USA to pay $3 million back to 1,821 homeowners after a sham mortgage relief scheme, with checks set to go out soon. Healthcare Costs in Focus: Blue Cross NC reported a $497 million loss, warning premiums may rise, as the insurer points to a “broken” U.S. system and WakeMed weighs a strategic tie-up with Atrium. Local Business & Tech: Raleigh stormwater software startup 4RIVRS named enterprise sales veteran Will Gough as chief sales officer to scale nationwide after its MVP launch. Real Estate Systems: Ocusell expanded its MLS network by adding 12 new partnerships, pushing into 11 more states including North Carolina. Education & Food Service Tech: Alphatechs USA is debuting Bluetooth cafeteria pin pads and scanners for K-12 meal lines at a Charlotte event. Energy & Everyday Prices: GasBuddy data shows Burke County’s lowest E85 at $3.15 and Haywood’s lowest midgrade at $4.28 for the week ending May 30. Rural Entrepreneurship: NC Secretary of State Elaine Marshall highlighted Rural RISE roundtables in Haywood County to connect small businesses with mentors and funding. Sports & Campus Buzz: World Cup teams are landing on North Carolina college campuses, including Wake Forest, bringing media and visitor spending.

Crypto Regulation: North Carolina House lawmakers advanced a bill to regulate crypto ATMs, moving HB 920 to the Senate after unanimous passage—aimed at curbing kiosk scams as complaints and losses climb nationwide. State Budget Process: NC Republicans warned the long-delayed state budget may slip past mid-June, with leaders signaling progress but uncertainty on timing. Healthcare Merger Watch: Wake County commissioners grilled WakeMed and Atrium Health on a proposed $2 billion merger, with local control, costs, and transparency among the big concerns. Water Pollution Lawsuit: NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson sued Durham-based Brenntag Mid-South, alleging illegal chemical discharges into state waters and seeking an expedited stop-and-cleanup order. Biotech Fundraising: Shattuck Labs priced a $75 million public offering, adding shares and pre-funded warrants as it pushes its DR3 antibody pipeline. Local Business Growth: Another Broken Egg Cafe opened in Concord, marking the second Triangle-area expansion for a North Carolina holding company behind the brand. Consumer Safety: FDA/CDC updates flagged multiple food recalls tied to outbreaks, including Salmonella linked to moringa supplements and Listeria tied to soft ricotta/requesón products.

Healthcare & Growth: Rock Hill cleared the way for Novant Health’s medical campus at Palmetto Research Park, approving the sale of about 25 acres for an estimated $300M+ investment and 255 full-time jobs. Environmental Enforcement: North Carolina’s AG and DEQ sued Brenntag Mid-South to stop alleged illegal contamination into state waters tied to Third Fork Creek and require a cleanup plan within 30 days. Crypto Regulation: A North Carolina House bill to regulate crypto ATMs is moving forward, adding consumer protections like scam alerts, receipts, and a 30-day refund window. Public Safety/Justice: A federal judge delayed the Charlotte light-rail stabbing case against Decarlos Brown Jr., ordering mental competency treatment before trial can proceed. Energy/Policy: UN-backed research warns oceans are under “severe and intensifying” stress, with sea-level rise accelerating. Retail & Jobs: Lowes Foods plans a new Kannapolis store opening June 18, bringing about 100–120 jobs. Business & Consumer Tech: Walmart is expanding Wing drone delivery to seven more markets, aiming for operations by 2027. Sports Tourism: Carowinds says it’s building a record-setting 2027 log flume ride, Rip Roarin’ Falls, with a 100+ foot drop. Elections/Politics: Rep. Sarah Stevens resigned from the N.C. House to focus on her Supreme Court campaign.

Data Center Jobs: Amazon’s multibillion-dollar fiber deal with Corning is set to add 1,000 manufacturing jobs in North Carolina and hundreds of construction roles, with a new fiber-optic training push tied to Catawba Valley Community College. Healthcare Deal Scrutiny: Wake County leaders grilled WakeMed and Atrium Health on a proposed combination, weighing competition concerns and whether it could raise insurance premiums. Legal & Business Climate: A Durham judge kept alive a Black executive’s race-bias claims against an electric utility while trimming parts of the suit. Sports Betting Tax: North Carolina lawmakers reached a deal to increase the sports betting tax rate, with operators facing potential higher costs. Local Government Watch: Greenville approved a $530.4 million budget with no property tax increase, while Havelock set a public hearing on rezoning tied to a campground expansion. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports show wide county-by-county variation in prices, with some areas seeing regular gas in the high $3s to low $4s. Education & Talent Pipeline: N.C. A&T won approval to launch the nation’s first standalone HBCU Ph.D. in bioengineering.

Jobs & Manufacturing: Downlite International is permanently closing its Monroe plant, putting 113 workers out of work by June 15, according to a letter to state commerce leaders. Big Business in NC: Amazon signed a multi-year deal with Corning to boost U.S. optical fiber and connectivity production, with Corning saying the partnership will create 1,000 jobs at its North Carolina facilities and expand fiber technician training with Catawba Valley Community College. Finance & Banking: Truist named Lindsey Stampone regional president for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, highlighting the bank’s push to deepen commercial relationships in a fast-growing region. Energy Costs: Piedmont Natural Gas cut rates for NC customers again, expected to reduce the average residential bill by about $54 annually (about 4.35%), as part of four 2026 decreases totaling roughly $100 per year. Sports Betting Policy: North Carolina lawmakers are weighing a sports betting tax hike, with licensed operators warning higher levies could push more gambling activity into the black market. Local Retail: Golden Ticket Cinemas is taking over the Flinthills Mall space in Emporia next week after B&B Theatres exits, aiming to reopen in time for Toy Story 5. Health & Community: Dogwood Health Trust released a Hurricane Helene disaster response playbook, built from lessons in its 18-county Western North Carolina service area.

Biotech & Manufacturing: Sanford, N.C.-based PlantSwitch is supplying compostable World Cup foodware for FIFA matches later this year, using its CompostZero PHA resin made via biotech and molded on standard plastics equipment—an example of North Carolina turning sustainability tech into real contracts. Film & Incentives: North Carolina approved a $15 million grant for MrBeast’s Amazon Prime “Beast Games” Season 3, signaling at least $60 million in expected in-state spend and continuing the state’s push to attract major productions. Rural Health & Costs: A report on Martin County highlights how hospital closures and limited emergency services leave residents facing longer, riskier trips for care—raising questions about how far federal rural health dollars will reach. Defense Spending: Rep. Don Davis advanced 29 provisions through the FY 2027 NDAA committee process, including investments tied to eastern North Carolina bases like Seymour Johnson AFB and Cherry Point. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data show diesel and E15 prices varying by county, with diesel lows like $4.55 in Catawba County and E15 as low as $3.16 in Nash County, underscoring ongoing fuel volatility. Education & Faith: Elevation Church’s new Elevation College plans to open this fall with degree programs delivered through Southeastern University, blending megachurch infrastructure with higher-ed pathways.

Data Center Policy: North Carolina’s House cleared the Ratepayer Protection Act (SB 730), aimed at stopping utility customers from subsidizing data centers; it passed 69-44 with support from two Democrats and two independents formerly Democrats, and now heads to Senate committee work. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy reported Pender County’s cheapest premium gas at $4.64/g (week ending May 30) and Brunswick County’s lowest diesel at $4.95/g, underscoring how global oil and refinery disruptions keep prices jumpy. Workplace AI: A North Carolina software engineer won a rare religious exemption to opt out of using AI at work, arguing it conflicts with her faith and raising concerns about AI’s environmental and moral impact. Health Care: CMS data put Stonecreek Health and Rehabilitation in Asheville at a 2-star overall rating for Q1 2026, with fines and penalties reported. Local Business: Bitty & Beau’s Coffee (Wilmington) launched a lower-cost “Mini Cruiser” mobile franchise model to expand ownership opportunities nationwide. State Economy: A national analysis says North Carolina added 40,300 jobs in Q1 2026 vs. the prior year, trailing only California and Texas for growth.