AGP Executive Report

Local Infrastructure: Cornelius residents are asking why crews are clearing trees far beyond power lines on West Catawba Ave and Westmoreland Rd; EnergyUnited says it’s tied to the planned West Catawba widening, with power lines not being buried due to a roughly $7M cost. Economic Development: Watauga County commissioners rescinded a $12,000 incentive offer to Rootsii after the company accepted a deal elsewhere, while also honoring longtime community leader Lowell Younce. Data Centers: Yadkinville and surrounding areas face new pressure after Unifi properties are set to be sold for data center use, with a county moratorium applying only outside municipalities. Workforce & Training: Nash Community College reports rising fall enrollment, driven by demand in electrical, industrial and technical programs and stronger regional pathways for adult learners. Energy & Buildings: A new analysis says NC public school rooftops could generate power equivalent to nearly 150,000 homes, though projects would still need site-by-site review. Business & Finance: TD Bank opened a larger Ballantyne office as it pushes to grow in Charlotte. Aviation Safety: Federal investigators continue probing the deadly Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport, including the role of airport safety systems.

Aviation Safety: The NTSB is leading a major investigation into an Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767-300F crash at Miami International Airport that overran the runway and killed five, with investigators recovering the cockpit voice and flight data recorders and warning operators to implement safety recommendations. North Carolina Industry Link: The flight was operated by 21 Air, a cargo airline based in Greensboro, and the crash has already triggered broad travel disruption and scrutiny of airport safety systems. Tech & Telecom: India has joined a US-led alliance of 25 nations to shape next-gen 6G network development and security, with talks tied to the G20 Innovation Ministerial held in Chapel Hill. Manufacturing & Poultry Tech: Raleigh-based TARGAN says it’s expanding globally its AI-powered hatchery technology, now operating in multiple countries and planning further growth after a Merck Animal Health acquisition deal. Energy & Costs: Gas prices remain volatile heading into Labor Day, with AAA reporting NC averages near $3.85 for regular and drivers citing record highs; meanwhile, GasBuddy spotlights the lowest E15 and diesel deals in several counties. Public Safety: Wilmington renewed focus on pedestrian safety after two Labor Day weekend fatalities, as Vision Zero efforts aim to reduce deaths on major corridors. Health & Agriculture: North Carolina health officials say nearly 300 people may have been exposed to rabies after baby goats at a mobile petting zoo tested positive, prompting vaccine recommendations.

Aviation Safety & Logistics: Federal investigators are laying out plans to determine what caused an Amazon Prime Air cargo jet operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air to overrun a runway at Miami International Airport, killing at least five and injuring five as the Boeing 767 struck vehicles and burned; the NTSB says its chairwoman will brief Monday, with early focus on landing distance and whether the aircraft touched down too far down the runway. North Carolina Business & Data Centers: Vertiv is moving ahead with its $1.45B acquisition of Raleigh-based UtilityInnovation Group to expand microgrid controls and behind-the-meter power for data centers, aiming to help operators secure power faster. Energy Infrastructure: Duke Energy is mapping out a major Carolinas power future with a massive solar push, more gas, and new nuclear—an update that will matter for manufacturers and logistics operators planning for long-term electricity costs. Workforce & Community Support: Hunger crisis coverage highlights worsening food insecurity in North Carolina as food banks face more demand and federal cuts, with Feeding America data showing 1 in 7 residents unsure where their next meal will come from. Local Government & Tax Policy: Yadkin County leaders are again pursuing a sales tax referendum for the November ballot to fund economic development, schools, and emergency services after prior attempts failed. Healthcare Quality: Alderwood of Davidson County earned a five-star CAHPS Hospice Survey rating, a signal for families choosing end-of-life care locally. Commercial Power Services: Morgan Master Electrician is expanding Western North Carolina commercial and industrial electrical support across Buncombe and Henderson counties.

Aviation & Logistics: An Amazon Prime Air cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport, killing at least five people and injuring five others after striking vehicles and bursting into flames; the aircraft was operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, and investigators are gathering details as crews also dealt with a fuel leak and a major airport shutdown. Education Policy: Charlotte-area districts are starting school earlier than state law allows, with 11 districts beginning before the Monday closest to Aug. 26 despite rare enforcement—another sign of local boards pushing back on the state calendar. Aerospace Manufacturing: Airbus says it still aims to build 12 A350s per month by 2028, but delivery delays point to production bottlenecks tied to its Kinston, N.C. composite structures facility. Energy Prices: GasBuddy data shows Davidson County’s lowest premium price at $4.25/gal (week ending Aug. 29), with statewide premium averaging $4.60; diesel averages also remain elevated. Public Works & Community: NCDOT’s Fall Litter Sweep runs Sept. 12–26, inviting volunteers to help clear roadside trash statewide.

Public Safety: Rockingham police say a months-long drug investigation led to arrests after a search warrant at 907 Briggs Blvd. turned up MDMA, about 10.3 pounds of marijuana, firearms (including an AR-15 pistol and a switch), and packaging materials; authorities also allege two young children were in the home. Food & Consumer Pressure: A Food Bank of Central and Eastern N.C. report says food insecurity across its 34-county region is now above pandemic levels, with nearly 630,000 people lacking consistent access to food and pantry visits up sharply. Fraud & Scams: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Apex logged five scam reports in July, tying for 33rd among 242 N.C. cities; counterfeit product scams and online non-delivery were among the biggest loss types. Transportation & Travel: Amtrak warned of Labor Day weekend cancellations and delays at major stations, including Chicago–St. Louis service disruptions tied to weather. State Policy & Industry: N.C. lawmakers are looking ahead to how to regulate intoxicating hemp products as federal rules remain in flux and a national ban was delayed. Weather & Power: Storms hit central N.C. over the holiday weekend, knocking out power for thousands of Duke Energy customers in multiple counties.

Severe Weather & Power: A stormy Labor Day kickoff brought down trees, damaged a home and knocked out power for thousands across Wake and nearby counties, with Duke Energy reporting outages in Wake, Chatham, Lee, Moore, Cumberland and Sampson. Infrastructure Recovery: Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene washed out a bridge, Samaritan’s Purse helped replace the crossing for 12 Henderson County families, restoring a permanent route. Rural Agriculture: Surry County’s pumpkin and apple growers say conditions are lining up for a strong fall harvest despite earlier weather swings. Transportation Policy: OBX counties are pushing back as NCDOT rolls out community meetings on new ferry tolls, including opposition to tolling on currently untolled routes and calls for waivers for locally registered vehicles. Energy & Industry: North Carolina policymakers are weighing how to regulate intoxicating hemp products as federal rules remain in flux, with state lawmakers preparing for possible future cannabis changes. Tech & Power Generation: A broader U.S. push for small nuclear reactors highlights microreactor plans that could support rural energy needs. Public Safety: Charlotte saw another electrocution death tied to Maplecrest Drive, adding to a summer pattern of serious electrical incidents. Food Safety: An E. coli blueberry recall expanded to frozen berry products sold in multiple states, including Walmart items.

Jobs & Inflation Politics: The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, but President Trump reacted with frustration over inflation and interest-rate concerns, underscoring how strong hiring isn’t calming political pressure. Fuel Costs in NC: GasBuddy reports one Lenoir County station hit the week’s lowest premium price at $4.29/gal (Aug. 29 week), while statewide premium averages rose to $4.60. Infrastructure & Construction: NCDOT says Interstate 40 repairs through the Pigeon River Gorge after Helene will now cost about $2.8B and push full reopening to late 2029, driven by deeper bedrock drilling needs. AI, Data Centers & Community Tension: At a G20 tech event in Chapel Hill, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman urged more data centers, while protesters outside warned of water and air impacts and questioned job promises. Election & Mail Voting: North Carolina begins wider mail-ballot distribution for the midterms amid court fights over Trump’s limits, with officials saying ballots will still go out as planned. Consumer Safety: A frozen berry E. coli recall expanded to more stores and states, including Walmart listings, adding to ongoing food-safety watch items. Local Business/Workforce: Greenville’s Better Skills, Better Jobs Fair returns Oct. 1 at the convention center, targeting adult jobseekers and high school students with 110+ employer and training partners.

Mail Voting Fight: A federal judge again blocked Trump’s USPS mail-voting restrictions, saying the rushed rule could disenfranchise millions; the administration is expected to appeal. Transportation Finance: Charlotte-area cities may have to repay nearly $70M to the state for the I-77 South toll lane project after NCDOT spending totals were released, with a renewal vote looming. Public Safety & Health: Baxter issued a voluntary recall of IV saline and other meds in multiple states including North Carolina due to potential fiberglass contamination; separately, Walmart expanded a frozen berry recall tied to E. coli to 16 states, including NC. Local Business Disruption: A fire gutted Forest City’s old Farmers Hardware building, displacing nearby shops as owners search for temporary locations. Manufacturing & Jobs: Boater’s World Manufacturing Group plans a Beaufort County waterfront campus in Chocowinity, targeting 179 jobs and $6M+ investment, while a former owner sues over alleged lease violations. Agriculture & Food: Todd Kirmss of Holt Orchards was named NC Apple Farmer of the Year at the Apple Festival in Hendersonville, and the High Country Farm Tour returns Sept. 12 with six farms and a winery. Hospitality: Western NC chef Taylor Montgomery won the statewide Chef Showdown, adding to his recent James Beard recognition.

Regional Access & Conservation: Ashe County officially took ownership of the Deep Ford River Access Park, a ~3-acre site meant to become the first formal public access to the North Fork of the New River near Lansing, following a partnership with The Conservation Fund and New River Conservancy. Public Safety & Health: North Carolina is tracing potential rabies exposure tied to baby goats from a mobile petting zoo, as multiple states issue new rabies warnings after infected animals are detected. Food Supply Chain: Walmart expanded a recall of Great Value frozen berry products sold in 16 states, including North Carolina, over possible E. coli contamination; FDA says no illnesses are linked to this specific lot. Energy & Costs: Diesel prices hit a new U.S. record amid Middle East disruption, squeezing farmers and other North Carolina-linked businesses. Defense & Data Privacy: The U.S. military disabled advertising location trackers on computers and phones after concerns that commercially sourced location data could be used to target forces. Local Growth & Infrastructure: Davidson County weighed a $1.5M sportsplex funding gap tied to transportation and utility changes, with officials leaning toward keeping all baseball fields while seeking sponsorships.

Healthcare Real Estate: Blue Ridge Health is planning a new three-story medical facility in Hendersonville, buying about two acres on Whitted Street to expand patient care and house the Hendersonville Family Medicine Residency Program. Energy & Utilities: Santee Cooper is asking to intervene in the Dominion–NextEra megamerger, arguing the deal’s impact on South Carolina and regional power planning needs scrutiny as regulators weigh a decision by January 2027. Food Safety: Walmart’s Great Value Organic Triple Berry Blend (10 oz) is recalled in 16 states, including North Carolina, over possible E. coli contamination; consumers are told not to eat affected lots. Craft Beer & Tourism: Cape Fear-area breweries picked up awards at the 2026 North Carolina Brewers Cup, highlighting continued growth in the state’s independent craft scene. Rural Economy & Jobs: NC A&T joined an NSF clean-economy initiative (BRIDGES) aimed at turning rural-grown perennial grasses into materials for vehicles, construction, and packaging. Public Safety: North Carolina’s Division of Marine Fisheries is starting a month-long scoping period on sea mullet, with possible future harvest restrictions on the table. Business & Tech: Korea’s industry minister says semiconductor tariff talks with the U.S. continue under an understanding Seoul won’t be disadvantaged versus competitors. Sports/College: UNC football GM Michael Lombardi resigned amid an ongoing school investigation.

G20 & Asheville Recovery: Finance ministers and central bank governors met in Asheville this week, putting post-Helene recovery and global economic policy in the spotlight—though local leaders say parts of the region are still “a tale of two cities” as federal aid and approvals drag. AI Policy & Data Centers: At the G20 Innovation Ministerial in Chapel Hill, the U.S. secured broad backing for the non-binding “Carolina Principles,” pushing sector-by-sector AI governance; industry leaders also urged faster data-center permitting as power and labor shortages become the main bottlenecks. Energy/Industry Investment: Atlantic Alumina (Atalco) won an additional $100M U.S. Department of War investment for refinery expansion, bringing total federal support to $400M and helping preserve jobs tied to alumina refining, mining, logistics, and ports. Coastal Development: North Carolina’s Coastal Resources Commission declined to endorse a push to repeal the state’s hardened structures ban, keeping the debate over erosion-control rules alive for oceanfront projects. Public Safety: The state launched its Labor Day “Booze It & Lose It” impaired-driving enforcement push through Sept. 13, targeting alcohol-related crash deaths. Local Business/Real Estate: ExchangeRight’s net-leased portfolio offering (including a North Carolina property) closed at $63.34M, while High Point’s Banner House expanded its case-goods portfolio with American Drew and Kincaid.

G20 Tech Policy: In Chapel Hill, G20 innovation ministers backed the “Carolina Principles,” urging countries to avoid “inflexible” new rules for emerging tech like AI and instead rely on existing regulations, with more investment in research and commercialization. Semiconductor Trade & Inflation: U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says the Trump administration is crafting “targeted” semiconductor tariffs—tariff relief if firms build in the U.S., duties if they don’t—raising fresh “chipflation” worries as yields hover near 5%. Middle East Energy Risk: The U.S. expanded strikes on Iran tied to Hormuz, while Treasury officials warn the strait could become “worthless” in two years—another pressure point for oil prices. North Carolina Public Health: NCDHHS confirmed rabies in baby goats from a mobile petting zoo, warning anyone with contact across multiple counties to call local health departments. Local Infrastructure: Wilmington’s Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement plan moves into a public comment phase, with residents weighing traffic and neighborhood impacts. Workforce & Poverty: Room at the Inn in Kernersville is funding CNA and other medical training for homeless mothers, aiming to break the poverty cycle.

Agriculture & Workforce: Tractor Supply and the Tractor Supply Company Foundation named 146 recipients for the 2026 FFA Future Leaders Scholarship, backing students pursuing agribusiness, agricultural engineering, veterinary care, welding, construction and diesel mechanics, with a Sept. 7–20 in-store/online fundraiser. Manufacturing & Tech: Hasty Machine Tools joined the SMART Machine Tools dealer network, rolling out a SMART Factory Outlet to serve manufacturers across Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina with CNC solutions and local support. Transportation & Smart Infrastructure: NCDOT is the first U.S. state agency to use ClearGuide® dashcam imagery powered by Vizzion, aiming to speed traffic-ops verification and improve situational awareness. Energy & Operations: Dominion Energy is using 3D printing at the Surry Power Station to create replacement parts and tools, supporting long-term nuclear operations. Policy & Local Impact: With a key I-77 toll lane vote looming, DOT still hasn’t given local governments a cost breakdown for potential reimbursements, leaving Charlotte-area leaders in limbo. Food Security: Feeding America analysis says 15.5% of North Carolinians are food insecure (about 1.7 million people), with child food insecurity at 21.5%. G20 & Trade: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the U.S. and China share goals on Iran and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, while China blocked parts of a G20 trade communiqué. Retail & Real Estate: Red Robin completed the sale of 108 company-owned restaurants for about $89.4M as part of its refranchising and debt refinancing plan.

G20 Trade & Finance: In Asheville, G20 finance chiefs (minus China) backed action against “non-market” policies that fuel export overreliance, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed growth and warned about trade distortions. AI Policy: In Chapel Hill, the U.S. urged a hands-off approach to AI rules under the “Carolina Principles,” while industry leaders including Zuckerberg and Musk argued for more data centers and fewer new regulations. Energy & Shipping: Bessent said the Strait of Hormuz could be bypassed by land pipelines within two years as U.S.-Iran tensions keep energy markets jumpy. Defense Power: The U.S. Army’s Janus program selected vendors and sites for 20 nuclear microreactors, including Fort Bragg in North Carolina, aiming to protect base power during grid disruptions. Public Safety: North Carolina’s Fire Marshal reported fireworks-related harm over the Fourth of July, urging safer handling. Food Recalls: Over 10,000 cases of Hodo Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu were recalled across 29 states due to possible ink contamination. Local Economy: Caldwell County announced a $186,000 rural grant to support Chase Corporation expansion in Lenoir, targeting 37 new jobs.

Energy & Utilities: The N.C. Utilities Commission scheduled a Sept. 28 public hearing in Halifax County on Dominion Energy North Carolina’s proposed 11.99% base rate increase, seeking about $36.8M more annually for roughly 129,000 customers. AI & Data Centers: Halifax County residents pressed Quiet Data Centers over a planned 100,000-square-foot AI data center in Enfield, with officials citing $250M in taxable investment and at least 50 higher-wage jobs, while questions focused on water use and utility impacts. Healthcare Access: A Medicaid “BALANCE” model to expand access to certain GLP-1 weight-loss drugs is seeing low participation, with Indiana the only confirmed participant so far. Agriculture Innovation: 2Blades added a new Science Advisory Board to speed crop-resilience research across soybeans, corn, potatoes, and trait platforms. Education & Research: UNCW welcomed the 78-foot research vessel Osprey to expand coastal and marine science and hands-on training. Aerospace Manufacturing: JetZero secured up to $100M in financing to advance its all-wing Jet1 demonstrator and expand manufacturing and testing in Greensboro. Consumer/Commerce: The FTC and 22 state AGs sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” practices that they say inflated advertising costs by more than $20B. Local Community: The N.C. Mountain State Fair announced special themed days, including student, senior, first responder, and food-drive admission deals for Sept. 11–20 in Fletcher.

Public Health: AppHealthCare and Ashe Memorial Hospital are coordinating care after NCDHHS confirmed rabies in baby goats from Farm Adventures, with potential exposure sites across North Carolina from July 28 through Aug. 27, including events in Iredell, Davidson, Davie, Durham, Mecklenburg and Watauga counties. Global Finance & Trade: G20 finance chiefs are meeting in Asheville as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushes a growth-first agenda while Iran tensions and energy-price risks loom over talks. Local Business Impact: Asheville’s G20 Finance Track is expected to bring roughly $1.5M–$2M in direct spending, with leaders hoping to spotlight workforce and tourism needs after Helene. Food & Consumer Safety: Lundberg Family Farms expanded a white rice recall to 13 states over possible contamination; separate recalls hit Halloween candy (undeclared milk allergen) sold at TJX stores, including in North Carolina. Antitrust/Big Tech: The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon over alleged “secret ad surcharge” pricing in sponsored ads, while Amazon disputes the claims. Energy & Infrastructure: Google’s West Memphis data center deal includes a 600-megawatt Cypress Solar project and transmission upgrades, with Arkansas documents showing major costs and terms. Security/Geopolitics: The U.S. and Iran exchanged strikes again, and Trump vowed further action, raising market and supply-chain concerns.