AGP Executive Report

PFAS Fallout in NC: North Carolina leaders announced a $590M settlement with DuPont and Chemours tied to “forever chemicals,” with money for drinking-water protection and cleanup—described as the biggest environmental damages recovery in state history. Energy & Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile, with Rutherford County’s regular hitting $3.69/gal (week ending Sept. 12), while broader fuel pressures continue to squeeze budgets. Tariffs & Relief: NC Rep. Valerie Foushee introduced the American Tariff Rebate Act, proposing refundable credits up to $4,000 for married couples plus extra dependent payments. Business & Jobs: Lenovo and Schneider Electric will partner through Lenovo 360 Circle to bring decarbonization tools to IT channel partners. Health & Training: Edgecombe Community College earned national accreditation for its Advanced EMT and paramedic programs. Transportation: NC By Train launched a Rail & Ride Pass linking Raleigh–Charlotte rail trips with local transit connections. Defense & Aviation: NCDOT showcased electric aviation at Pitt-Greenville Airport as part of its eLIFT-NC initiative.

Transportation & Freight Safety: NCDOT is using Fleetworthy/Drivewyze-style alerts to push truck-cab warnings during major closures after Helene, including reroute messages for I-26 and I-40 when mountain damage strands drivers. Rail & Logistics: NC By Train launched a Rail & Ride pass linking Raleigh–Charlotte rail riders to local transit agencies, with Greensboro Transit joining Oct. 1. Agriculture & Livestock Tech: A&T and NC State ran a USDA-funded precision livestock workshop for hog producers, using AI and digital agriculture to improve animal welfare and production. Energy Costs: GasBuddy price checks show volatile fuel costs across NC counties (including midgrade lows around $3.95–$4.55 in recent reporting weeks), while diesel pressures keep hitting farm budgets. Weather Risk: A week-long nor’easter is forecast to bring dangerous surf, coastal flooding, and beach erosion from North Carolina north. Public Safety on Roads: Wilmington-area advocates pushed bike-safety steps under the city’s Vision Zero push after multiple recent cyclist and pedestrian deaths. Local Business/Community: Asheville’s RAD Creative Campus is advancing as a major River Arts District arts hub after Helene-era losses.

Transportation & Safety: After Hurricane Helene shut down major freight routes like I-26 and I-40 for months, NCDOT is using Fleetworthy’s in-cab alerts (via ELD) to push targeted reroute warnings to truck drivers before they hit washed-out interstate dead ends. Defense Manufacturing: Skyeton, Inc. won a $10.64M U.S. Army contract for Raybird reconnaissance drones, with a North Carolina plant near Fayetteville Regional Airport expected to create 162 jobs. Renewable Energy from Agriculture: Montauk Renewables officially opened a roughly $200M facility in eastern Sampson County to turn swine waste into electricity, signing long-term agreements with 80+ farms covering 415,000 hog spaces. Hurricane Recovery Infrastructure: Two years after Helene, Yancey County bridge rebuilds continue, including major N.C. 197 projects with multiple bridge replacements and multi-year timelines. Public Health: Rabies concerns are rising after reports of rabid animals and mass exposures in North Carolina, though experts say it’s unclear whether cases are truly increasing.

Grid Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order to help prevent blackouts in South Carolina and North Carolina, authorizing Duke Energy Carolinas to dispatch resources and use backup generators as needed through Sept. 21. Energy Costs for Industry: North Carolina farmers say diesel prices are squeezing already-thin margins, adding pressure as drought losses linger. Trade & Manufacturing: Trump told a Gastonia crowd the U.S. is “very close” to a major new Mexico deal tied to the T-MEC review, raising stakes for cross-border supply chains. Innovation & Aviation: Joby Aviation completed the first autonomous flight across the U.S., landing in North Carolina’s Outer Banks after 3,199 miles with no human control inputs. State Innovation Ranking: North Carolina moved into the top 10 for innovation capacity, ranking ninth nationally in the 2026 “Tracking Innovation” report. Local Business & Food: Michelin-recommended Dampf Good BBQ is moving from Cary to a Durham historic building for a new brick-and-mortar meat-market style restaurant. Public Safety Tech: NCDOT used Fleetworthy’s truck-cab alerts during Helene-era interstate closures to warn drivers earlier and reroute before dead ends. Health & Courts: A Watauga County nurse was charged in a fentanyl/cocaine death-by-distribution case tied to a November incident.

Energy & Grid Reliability: The NC Utilities Commission denied Duke Energy’s $584M Richmond County gas turbine request, citing cost-effectiveness and whether data-center-driven demand forecasts will actually materialize. Transportation Safety Tech: NCDOT is using Fleetworthy/Drivewyze-style alerts to push targeted reroute warnings into truck cabs during major closures, after Helene showed signs and broadcasts weren’t reaching drivers in time. Local Philanthropy: Surry-Yadkin Electric awarded its first “Powering Our Future” scholarships, funded by its charity golf tournament, supporting students in biomedical engineering and political science. Affordability Pressure: A national mayors’ survey finds 92% of mayors report rising cost of living since 2025, with housing the top concern in nearly all cities. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports Rockingham County’s lowest regular price at $3.61 for the week ending Sept. 12, with the statewide regular average at $3.90. Business & Innovation: Roche/Genentech opened a Boston R&D center focused on cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, adding AI-enabled research capacity. Community & Events: Asheville’s Biltmore Championship returns as the first PGA Tour event in 84 years, expected to boost the local economy post-Helene.

Data Centers & Energy Policy: U.S. lawmakers led by Don Davis and Kristen McDonald Rivet introduced a bill to claw back major tax breaks for data centers, arguing families are already squeezed while power and water burdens grow. Regulatory Pressure on AI Power Builds: North Carolina regulators denied Duke Energy’s $584M gas turbine plan near an Amazon data center, while separate reporting highlights judges allowing some data center projects to proceed despite local moratoriums. Courts & Accountability: A judge rejected a Chatham County bid to pause new data center projects, keeping development momentum alive even as communities push back. Coastal Fisheries: A Wake County judge ruled the state failed to protect coastal fisheries, with none of 13 managed stocks deemed viable, setting up further remedy proceedings. PFAS & Chemical Industry: North Carolina is tied to major PFAS settlement developments involving major chemical makers, as regulators and industry face renewed scrutiny. Transportation & Safety Tech: After Hurricane Helene shut down major freight corridors for months, NCDOT used truck-cab alerting to push targeted reroute messages before drivers hit dead ends. Workforce & STEM: The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative opened 2027 applications, aiming to feed the chemical industry pipeline through HBCU scholarships and mentorship. Local Business & Growth: Reckitt is progressing a $600M U.S. transformation that includes expanding its North Carolina manufacturing footprint.

Consumer Finance Crackdown: North Carolina is set to receive about $9.5M from a $694M multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, including $7.5M in debt relief plus restitution for roughly 1,300 NC consumers. Public Safety: The NC Office of State Fire Marshal marks the 35th anniversary of the Imperial Foods Hamlet fire that killed 25, underscoring ongoing fire and life-safety reforms. Workforce & Small Business: The North Carolina Small Business Center Network named Rinse-A-Poo, Victorious Wellness, and The Gilded Lantern as winners of its inaugural Startup Showdown. Energy & Tech: Ocean Power Technologies completed evaluated surf-zone testing of its WAM-V autonomous maritime platform in Duck, NC, generating data to guide future deployments. Local Business: Comfort Pros Heating & Cooling in Western NC announced new ownership by entrepreneur Ben Sealey, emphasizing straightforward pricing and service integrity. Entrepreneurship & Community: Moss Realty shared fall guidance for first-time homebuyers in Gaston County and York County.

Biotech & Manufacturing: Kincell Bio and Cellipont Bioservices completed their merger to form Kincellis Advanced Therapies, a new CDMO focused on cell-therapy development and manufacturing. Health & R&D: Genentech and Roche opened the Roche Genentech Innovation Center Boston, expanding U.S. research capacity across cardiovascular, renal and metabolic disease. Consumer & Legal: N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a $694M multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance over alleged predatory auto lending, including cash and debt relief plus new consumer-protection requirements. Energy Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile nationwide; in North Carolina, the week ending Sept. 12 showed some of the lowest regular prices in counties like Randolph ($3.64) and Bladen ($3.59), while diesel remained higher overall. Workforce & Training: Cape Fear Community College launched hands-on, short-term film and digital media courses at Cinespace Studios, aimed at building local talent for North Carolina’s screen industry. Coastal Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public input on a potential terminal groin at North Topsail Beach, with multiple shoreline options on the table. Tech in Cities: Raleigh is using drones and AI-enabled tools to build a digital twin for planning and traffic/development decisions. Sports & Local Business: Asheville’s Biltmore Championship PGA Tour event is driving special deals and products from regional food and beverage businesses.

Data Centers & Power Crunch: PJM’s capacity prices hit the cap again as hyperscaler demand strains the grid, with utilities and merchant generators getting paid to solve the bottlenecks. Energy & Fuel Costs: Diesel and regular gas prices stayed elevated across North Carolina, with Watauga’s lowest diesel at $5.79/gal and Wayne County’s regular gas bottoming at $3.64/gal. Trade & Tariffs: Trump called Canada’s EU “associate member” bid a “hostile act,” warning of “very heavy tariffs” or trade cutoffs, while Mark Carney pushed back on coercion. PFAS Accountability: North Carolina reached a $590M settlement tied to Chemours, DuPont and Corteva to address drinking-water contamination. Regulation & Permits: A new Red Tape 50 ranking put North Carolina in the top 10 for permitting speed and business ease, while local data-center backlash continues to shape public debate. Public Health: FDA recalled multiple hand soaps sold in North Carolina and 14 other states due to possible bacterial contamination. Local Industry Watch: Triangle remodeling costs rose 6% to 18% in 2026, and Brunswick County is weighing tougher limits on land-clearing open burning within state rules. Sports Business: The WTA Finals are set to move to Charlotte’s Spectrum Center for three years, aiming to boost women’s sports and event-driven tourism.

PFAS Fallout: North Carolina and 11 local governments reached a $590M deal with Chemours, DuPont and Corteva to resolve PFAS claims tied to Fayetteville Works, with $455M paid over 15 years and a $135M reserve for compliance. Global Sports & Tourism: The Women’s Tennis Association is moving its global HQ to Charlotte and plans to host WTA Finals there for the next three years. Trade & Tariffs: Trump warned that if Canada becomes the EU’s first “associate member,” it could be treated as a “hostile act,” triggering heavy tariffs or trade cutoffs—comments made while he was in North Carolina. Data Centers & Costs: The House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act to shield communities from higher utility and grid costs tied to data center growth, a move that puts affordability at the center of the debate. Local Infrastructure Politics: Charlotte-area opponents are pushing back on I-77 toll lane expansion, urging residents to speak out as the regional planning group reconsiders its stance. Business & Housing: Crow Holdings says “green shoots” are appearing in multifamily, including in Charlotte, as it ramps up starts for the coming years. Food Safety: FDA reported an August inspection in Chowan County—Jimbo’s Jumbos, Inc.—with “no action indicated.” Public Safety: A Columbus County deputy was shot during a traffic-stop incident; the suspect was arrested after an all-day manhunt.

Major Events & Sports Tourism: Gov. Josh Stein says Charlotte will host the WTA Finals in 2027-2029 at the Spectrum Center and become the WTA’s global HQ, backed by a $14.4M MEGA grant. Local Planning & Schools: Warren County commissioners approved a site plan for a consolidated K-5 elementary school, reusing the former Warren New Tech High School location and adding space for about 700 students. Logistics & Manufacturing: Atlantic Packaging is adding rail access at a Tabor City warehouse, with a new rail spur expected to handle at least 480 railcars annually and create 16 jobs, supported by up to $250K from the North Carolina Railroad Company. Health & Regulation: The FDA issued an enforcement update on a voluntary recall of six hand soap products in 15 states, citing possible bacterial contamination. Public Policy & Governance: A North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled legislators can shift elections board appointments from the governor to State Auditor Dave Boliek, reshaping board majorities statewide. Housing & Construction: A proposal to end North Carolina’s second-staircase rule for mid-rise apartments is gaining attention as builders argue it could cut costs and ease affordability pressures. Community Food Access: Goodwill Industries of Eastern North Carolina opened the Goodwill Community Cupboard in Aurora, a grocery-style store aimed at reducing food deserts.

Data Centers & Rates: North Carolina AG urged the Utilities Commission to create a new Duke Energy rate class for data center customers, arguing it would ensure customers “pay their fair share” of energy use. PFAS Accountability: Gov. Josh Stein highlighted a landmark $590M Chemours settlement tied to PFAS contamination, with hundreds of millions earmarked for downstream local governments and drinking-water upgrades. Coastal Flooding: UNC Chapel Hill research says some NC coastal sites now flood during normal high tides as often as 100 days a year, stressing how sea-level rise overwhelms drainage and road systems. Film Industry: Stein and Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley toured Cinespace Studios in Wilmington as the state works through changes to the film incentive program, currently lacking new grant funding until 2029. Workforce Training: Surry Community College’s NC Edge customized training program continues expanding employer-focused upskilling across manufacturing and tech. Local Business Boost: Friends of Downtown Hendersonville won a $25,000 Duke Energy Foundation grant to expand small downtown improvement grants. Public Safety/Health: Oak Island scheduled mosquito fogging for Sept. 16-17, with residents advised to stay clear during treatments.

Data Centers & Local Policy: Halifax County approved an amended economic development deal for a Quiet Data Centers Halifax project on 251 acres in Enfield, while commissioners signaled they may still pursue a future data-center moratorium through a legislative hearing. Workforce & Education: North Carolina’s new community college funding model, Propel NC, shifts money toward short-term job training in high-demand fields like healthcare and advanced manufacturing. Healthcare Investments: HCA Healthcare is putting more than $32M into Mission Health facilities in western NC, including imaging, surgical/cardiovascular upgrades, and emergency transport. Real Estate Tech: Hive MLS expanded RealReports access across its full North and South Carolina footprint, adding AI-powered property intelligence for agents. Commercial Real Estate: Cape Fear CREW opened nominations for its 2027 Awards of Excellence, covering industrial, office, multifamily, mixed-use and community impact projects across the region. Insurance Expansion: Honeycomb Insurance began writing commercial real estate coverage in Tennessee and South Carolina, targeting landlord and condo associations amid tighter underwriting. Manufacturing/Engineering: ISG named David Doxtad CEO and advanced Andy Brandel to COO as the 100% employee-owned firm continues expanding across multiple states. Energy/Power Infrastructure: Yash Highvoltage signed a representation agreement with ENSALES Electrical Associates to expand U.S. utility engagement for transformer bushings. Public Safety: CDC warned of rising rabies exposure reports, following North Carolina’s traveling petting-zoo goat incident that triggered potential exposures across multiple counties. Arts & Community: Rocky Mount’s City Council approved leasing the Imperial Centre to the North Carolina Children’s Museum to run arts, science, and community theatre programming.

Data Centers & Politics: A Wells Fargo tracker says U.S. local data-center moratoriums have surged to 374, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions as communities push back over power costs, grid capacity, and water impacts ahead of midterms. Local Transportation Finance: Charlotte is weighing a decision on I-77 South Express Lanes that could leave the city on the hook for $59M to $69M of more than $69M already spent by NCDOT since 2018, raising concerns about tax hikes or cuts. Aviation & Safety: Amazon paused operations with North Carolina-based cargo carrier 21 Air after a deadly Miami runway crash killed five; shipments will shift to other carriers while the NTSB investigation continues. Health & Crisis Response: NCDHHS received nearly $7M in federal grants to expand 988, mobile crisis teams, and substance-use treatment for pregnant and postpartum women. Energy & Industry: Yash Highvoltage’s U.S. subsidiary signed a North Carolina representation agreement to expand sales of transformer bushings across the U.S., with product rollout planned for 2027. Environment & Accountability: North Carolina’s fisheries protection fight continues after a Wake County judge ruled the state failed to protect coastal fisheries, citing non-viability of managed stocks. Road & Infrastructure: Durham says the Goose Creek Outfall Improvement Project remains on schedule, with Phase 1 design milestones and permitting underway.

AI & Data Centers: Wells Fargo says local data-center moratoriums have surged to 374 nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions as residents push back over power, grid capacity, water use, and community impacts ahead of midterms. AI Safety Politics: AP reports renewed warnings from AI leaders about risks to humanity, while President Trump dismisses new AI guardrails as part of a “conspiracy,” keeping the debate front and center. Logistics & Aviation: Amazon is pausing operations with North Carolina-based 21 Air after a Miami runway crash killed five; the NTSB is reviewing pilot actions, maintenance, and airport conditions. Public Health: The CDC warns rabies is rising this summer and urges clinicians to use the right post-exposure treatment steps when appropriate. Healthcare Quality: Joint Commission and NAHQ awarded 2026 CPHQ scholarships, including to Ashe Memorial Hospital in North Carolina. Courts: North Carolina’s Court of Appeals upheld Rule 11 sanctions over a materially altered contract quote, and affirmed enforcement of a premarital agreement. Real Estate & Housing: Raleigh faith groups are exploring converting church parking lots to help ease local housing shortages. Energy & Industry: RTI International opened a $14M expansion in Research Triangle Park to support pilot testing for cleaner fuels, energy, and materials.

Data Centers & Power Strain: A Wells Fargo tracker says local data-center moratoriums have surged to 374 nationwide, with North Carolina among the states seeing the most restrictions as communities push back over electricity costs, grid capacity, and water use. Bridge Replacement Hearings: NCDOT is holding public hearings on Wilmington’s Cape Fear Memorial Bridge replacement, weighing a 65-foot drawbridge (Plan A) versus a 135-foot fixed span (Plan B) tied to federal shipping clearance rules. Aviation Safety: The NTSB says “spatial disorientation” and a “graveyard spiral” contributed to a March 2025 crash that killed a Greenville dentist and his wife. Fuel Watch (NC): GasBuddy reports show localized lowest prices across the state for the week ending Sept. 5, including premium at $4.30 in Scotland County, midgrade at $3.87 in Nash County, and diesel at $5.09 in Cabarrus County. Community & Education: Donors and scholars gathered at Sampson Community College for its annual Scholar-Donar Picnic, highlighting local investment in student success.