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2011 Newcomer Resource

CHARLOTTE

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LIVE THE GOOD LIFE

WWW.BEREWICK.COM

(704) 583-9772

Berewick is a vibrant community in southwest Charlotte offering an

adjacent elementary school, a planned Town Center and completed

amenities with an activities director. All this, plus Berewick is close to

major interstates and the airport.

Visit the Welcome Center at the Manor House to learn about our

distinctive homes and townhomes. Homes are available for immediate

move-in, or our builders can assist you in creating the perfect home

for your family. Builders include Bellamy Homes, Calloway Homes,

D.R. Horton, Lennar, Ryan Homes and Shea Homes. Prices range from

the $130s to the $350s.

From I-485 West, take exit 4, Steele Creek Road. Turn left at the

top of the ramp. Travel a half-mile and turn right at the light onto

Shopton Road West. Travel a half-mile and turn right on Berewick

Commons Parkway (the first right off the roundabout). The

Welcome Center at the Manor House is a half-mile on your left.

Berewick is a community by Pappas Properties. All prices and plans are subject to change without notice.

COMMUNITY FEATURES:

New adjacent Berewick

Elementary School

Planned Town Center with

restaurants and shops

Townhomes from the $130s;

homes from the $180s

Amenity center with

swimming pools

On-site activities director

Walking trails

Model homes

WELCOME CENTER AT THE

MANOR HOUSE OPEN DAILY

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BELK.COM

welcome homFrom fashion favorites to all thenames to know for your newhome, come and see foryourself the many ways we canbring modern southern styleto your life.

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Historically Low Interest Rates

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• Over 30 Inviting Communities

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Welcome!

On behalf of the Charlotte Chamber andits members, I am delighted you areconsidering a relocation to the QueenCity. Please look through the Newcomer

Resource and visit our city. I’m sure you will findCharlotte a wonderful place.

Charlotte, along with Mecklenburg County, is agrowing area with a population of more than 913,000.It is seen nationally as one of the best cities in thecountry. Charlotte has received first-place honorsin the America’s Most Livable Communities awardspresented by Partners for Livable Communities. Thisprogram honored Charlotte for its exemplary quality of life.

That quality can be seen in our education system, which was ranked fifthin education in Parenting.com’s listing of “The Best Cities for Families.”It can be seen in our business community. Charlotte is the second-largestfinancial center in the country and has been ranked by Entrepreneurmagazine as one of the best cities in the nation to start and grow a business.Other accolades include recognition from BusinessWeek as the fourth mostaffordable suburbs and by Business Facilities as the fifth best for economicgrowth potential.

You’ll soon see that Charlotte has spirit. A spirit that makes the nationally recognized achievements possible. A spirit that makes Charlotte an exciting

and lively place to live.This spirit is most evident in our greatest asset — our friendly people.The U.S. Census indicates Charlotte ranks third nationally in in-migration of young, educated people. We welcome newcomers to the Queen City and look forward to having you become an active part of our community.

Sincerely,

Bob Morgan, PresidentCharlotte Chamber

Necomer Resorce reserves te rit to rese advertise-

ment or an reason. Acceptance o advertisin does not

mean or imp te service or prodct is endorsed or recom-

mended b te Carotte Camber. POSTMASTER: Send

corrections to Necomer Resorce, Address Cane: PO

Box 32785, Carotte, NC 28232-9980. © Coprit 2010 b

te Carotte Camber o Commerce. A rits reserved. No

part o tis pbication ma be reprodced or transmitted in

an orm b an means, eectronic or mecanica, incdin

potocopin, recordin, or b an inormation storae and

retrieva sstem, itot ritten permission rom te Carotte

Camber o Commerce.

V O l . X I I I 2 0 1 1

A N O I C I A l P u B l I C A T I O NO T h E C h A R l O T T E C h A M B E R

O C O M M E R C E

D E S I g N & P R O D u C T I O N B y

SPARK Publications | www.SPARKpublications.com

P u B l I S h E D B y

For advertising information, call 704.378.1356.

Thoughts on a particular article or the magazine as a whole? E-mail Newcomer Resource at

[email protected].

Newcomer Resource is published annually. Copies areavailable in our newcomer packet for $10 by calling

703.378.1300 or by ordering it in our online store at www.charlottechamber.com.

C h A R l O T T E C h A M B E R O I C E R S

Pat Rodgers, Rodgers BuildersChamber Chair

Francisco Alvarado, Marand BuildersOperations/Communications Chair

Bob Morgan, Charlotte ChamberPresident

Blair Stanford, Charlotte ChamberChief Operating Officer

Mike Manning, Charlotte ChamberChief Financial Officer

Lori Lewis, Charlotte ChamberChief Revenue Officer

C O N T R I B u T O R S

Kathleen Conroy,Melisa LaVergne, Erin WatkinsPatrick Schneider Photography

CHARLOTTENewcomer Resource

Bob Morgan

Melisa LaVergne, Charlotte ChamberEditor & Director of Branding and Publications

Kelsey Richards, Charlotte ChamberDirector, Advertising & Info! Charlotte

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Features

Departments

14 Info! Charlotte Meet te ecomin committee rom

Carotte’s ofcia ecome center

or visitors and necomers.

30 Finding YourDream Home Beore o sop or or dream ome, earn

more abot te reion’s distinct commnities.

42 Economy & Employmentind resorces to ep or job searc.

50 The Essentials –get te basic inormation o

need to set p or ome in Carotte.

56 Finding Your Bliss –Pan or eisre time.

6Greening theQueen City Charlotte’s growing focus on

sustainability and all other

things green is a shining jewel

in the Queen City’s crown.

CHARLOTTENewcomer Resource

2011

30

4 Newcomer Resource | 2011

42

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a better way home.

* Prices listed are base prices, do not include lot premiums or options, and are subject to change without notice. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where pregistration is required or if void by law. Photographs are for ill ustrative purposes only and are not intended to be an actual representation of a specific community, neighborhood, orcompleted improvements being offered. Please see a sales associate for details. ©2010 Centex Homes. All rights reserved. 11/5/10.

put yourself ina better place™888.347.8115

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Woodbury Spacious homes with wooded andopen spaces • From the $120s*Charlotte, NC704.573.6133

Weddington MeadowsAn intimate community adjacent to

a 265-acre park • From the $214s*Matthews, NC704.841.8713

Willow Creek Family-friendly neighborhood withclubhouse and pool • From the $114s*Gastonia, NC704.854.3104

Centex homes. Within reach.Beyond expectations.

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QueenGreening

the

City

“At some point, sustainability wil be ingrained in our lives

as a simple matter of practice. Whether it happens out of

necessity or by choice is the variable.” — Robb Little, chair

of the Charlotte Chamber’s Green Works committee and

principal of Sustainable Development Services

B y K a t h l e e n e . C o n r o y

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P h o t o b yP a t r i c k S c h n ei d er P h o t o. c om

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R aintree resident James Earles was more than thrilled

to see his large, green recycling container arrive at hisSouth Charlotte home in the spring. “I was doing my

best to recycle, but my little red recycling bin wasn’t cuttingit. And I was happy to throw the cracked bin into the newgarbage-can size one,” he smiled. Now he can recycle almostanything he likes as part of the rolling bin recycling program.

Charlotte’s “green” initiative has been two-pronged over anumber of years. Part one includes encouraging residents torecycle in the new, large, green bins and to take a hard look attheir lifestyles. The other involves building a greener city withgreener buildings, materials, sources of energy, a keen eye on

Recyclables are collectedevery-other-weekon the same day

as garbage and yardwaste collection.Residents can fnd

their collection dayand recycling

week by visitingwww.wipeoutwaste.com

then clickingResidential Recycling.

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What Can I Do?

Robb Little rom Sustainable Development Serviceoers these top 10 ways your business or home canbecome greener:◆Be bright about light: Artiicial lighting accounts or 4

percent o the electricity use in oice buildings. Turn

o the lights when you’re leaving any room or 15minutes or more and use natural light when you can.

◆Maximize computer eiciency: Computers in thebusiness sector unnecessarily waste $1 billion wortho electricity a year. Turn o your computer – and thepower strip it’s plugged into – when you leave orthe day. Otherwise, you’re still burning energy even iyou’re not burning the midnight oil. (Check with yourIT department to make sure the computer doesn’tneed to be on to run backups or other maintenance.)

◆Print smarter: The average U.S. oice worker goesthrough 10,000 sheets o copy paper a year. Print onboth sides or use the back side o old documents oraxes, scrap paper or drats.

◆Go paperless when possible: Think before you print:could this be read or stored online instead? When youreceive unwanted catalogs or junk mail, request to beremoved from the mailing list before recycling the item

◆Ramp up your recycling: Recycle everything yourresidence or company collects. Just about any kind

of paper you would encounter, including fax paper,envelopes, and junk mail, can be recycled. So can youold cell phone, PDA or pager.

◆Close the loop: Purchase oice supplies and urnituremade rom recycled materials.

◆Watch what (and how) you eat: Provide reusabledishes, silverware and glasses or your employeesto use at work. Switch to Fair Trade and organiccoee and tea, and buy as much organic and localood as possible.

◆Rethink your travel: Take the train, bus or subway whefeasible instead of a rental car when traveling. If you

have to rent a car, some rental agencies now offerhybrids and other high-mileage vehicles.

◆Reconsider your drive: Carpool, bike or take transit torun errands or commute to work, and/or telecommutwhen possible.

◆Create a healthy environment : Use nontoxic cleaningproducts. Brighten up your oice and house withplants, which absorb indoor pollution.

2011 | Newcomer Resource

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our lakes, rivers and greenways, and other efforts to keepthe city sustainable.

“For me, sustainability and green are relatively newterminology for an old idea: conservation. There may benew technologies and ideas, but the principles behind it are

nothing new. At some point, sustainability will be ingrainedin our lives as a simple matter of practice,” said RobbLittle of Sustainable Development Services and chairmanof the Charlotte Chamber’s relatively new Green Workscommittee. “Whether it happens out of necessity or by choice is the variable.”

The environmental movement (a term that sometimesincludes the conservation and green movements) is a diversescientific, social and political movement. In general terms,environmentalists advocate the sustainable managementof resources and the protection (and restoration whennecessary) of the natural environment through changes inpublic policy and individual behavior. In its recognition of humanity as a participant in ecosystems, the movement iscentered around ecology, health and human rights.

Popular with residents looking to toss the milk carton ornewspaper, the city began its residential recycling programyears ago by encouraging composting and by offering redrecycling bins for disposal. Now Recycle It!, Charlotte’sresidential recycling program, has been improved with newrecyclable items, a 96-gallon rollout recycling cart and anew collection schedule. Recyclables are collected every-other-week on the same day as garbage and yard waste

collection. Residents can find their collection day andrecycling week by visiting www.wipeoutwaste.com thenclicking Residential Recycling.

The Queen City’s leaders looked to other cities,mimicking efforts of the top green cities named by

Justlivegreener.com: Chicago and Portland. According toPopular Science magazine, electricity, transportation, greenliving, recycling and a green prospective all combine to putcities on “green as green can be” lists.

Green Means BusinessIn addition to residential recycling and civic programs,

the efforts of the business community to embrace andpromote sustainability are enhancing our community. Ledby Mary Tribble formerly of Tribble Event Group and TimNewman of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), the Charlotte Green Team was formed severalyears ago to encourage green practices within hospitality organizations and when planning and implementingCharlotte’s large events and conventions. It evolved intoa resource for businesses of all types for informationon new practices, policies, programs, products andtechnologies. The group’s mission is to spread the word that

Charlotte has10 beautiulgreenways

scattered around

the countymaintained byMecklenburgCounty Park

and Recreation.


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The Green Team’smission is to sprea

the word thatenvironmental

sustainability isnecessary or ourcommunity andour businesses.Visit online at

www.charlottegreenteam.co

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environmental sustainability is necessary for our community and our businesses. Visit online at

www.charlottegreenteam.com.The Charlotte Chamber also established its Green Works

committee to be a resource for businesses. “The chamberpolled its members last year and got a surprising number of

responses. The overwhelming sentiment was that we have toembrace the idea of being green and/or sustainable, becauseit is not going away,” said Little. “So while we may not beperceived as green as other cities, there is a growing sentimentthat we have to change that.”

The chamber business survey shows that 58 percent of respondents ask their suppliers to implement green practice;55 percent say they follow green practices in their day-to-day corporate operation; while 60 percent feel “going green” isa critical move that is here for the long term business cycle.Find out more about Green Works at www.greenworks.com.

Green Recreation Another growing initiative across the country and in the

Queen City are greenways, corridors of undeveloped land with paths for residents to enjoy outings. Charlotte has 12beautiful greenways scattered around the county maintainedby Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. This includes33 miles of developed greenways and 147 miles of planned,undeveloped trails. Find directions and maps online at www.parkandrec.com or by calling Mecklenburg County’s 311information line.

The Carolina Thread Trail is a regional network of greenwaysand trails that will reach 15 counties and 2.3 million citizensin the future. Now in its infancy state with 67 miles of trailopen, it will link people, places, cities, towns and attractions.It is intended to link lives. The trail will preserve our naturalareas and will be a place for exploration of nature, culture,

science and history, for family adventures and celebrations of friendship. It will be for young, old, athlete and average. This is alandmark project, and Mecklenburg County plays a huge role inconnecting about a dozen counties. For a map of the intendedtrail in Mecklenberg, visit www.carolinathreadtrail.org.

The county also has a role in the Catawba River District, with a small corner of the area located in Mecklenburg. Thehuge volunteer group looks after the river to keep it sustainable,

while the group also uses volunteer river keepers in LakeNorman to watch for pollution violations or dumping debris.

The Final WordLeaders and residents agree that it’s not important to be on

a top 10, 50 or 100 list. They want the city to utilize every measure available to get the city green and keep it that way –for future residents.

“Charlotte was characterized as a ‘mover and shaker’ by Sustain Lane due to a substantial increase in Green Buildings(LEED certified commercial buildings) from 2006 to 2008.There are many more aspects to being characterized a greencity than recycling and construction, but those areas are agreat place for Charlotte to build from,” said Little. NR

The Carolina ThreadTrail is a regional

network o

greenways andtrails that will reach15 counties and

2.3 million citizensin the uture.


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Hours of operationMonday-friday8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,Satrday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

tk M H oMonday-friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Satrday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

pHone nuMbersfor directions to Ino! Charotte – 704.331.2753for reocation inormation – 704.378.1362for visitor inormation – 704.331.2700

address330 Soth Tryon Street Charotte, NC 28202located in the Chamber o Commerce biding(corner o S. Tryon Street andMartin lther King Jr. Boevard).

directionsfrom I-77 take the John Bek freeway/277 Exit

to Coege Street Exit (1E). Pass the ConventionCenter on yor right. At the next stop ight takea et onto Martin lther King Jr. Bvd. At thenext ight, cross over S. Tryon Street and yo wisee the Chamber o Commerce biding on theright hand corner. Ino! Charotte, the Visitor InoCenter and Ameie’s uptown (a french bakery andcaé) are on the irst oor.

As visitors walk

through i!

chl,

they arewelcomed

by some of

Charlotte’s

prominent

businesses

that cater to

newcomers.

Should we say welcometo Charlotte or welcomehome? Whether you’rerelocating to Charlotte

or simply visiting, Info! Charlotteand the Charlotte Regional Visitor

Authority’s Visitor Info Centerextend a warm welcome to you.

Comprised of a winding roadand storefronts sponsored by anarray of Charlotte businesses, Info!Charlotte combined with the VisitorInfo Center is Charlotte’s officialresource for visitors, newcomersand even Charlotteans who havebeen around a while. You can findinformation on neighborhoods,schools, apartments, retirement

resources, government services,restaurants, attractions, and the listgoes on, while enjoying a cup of coffee and a tasty treat from Amelie’sUptown. As visitors walk through

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Info! Charlotte, they are welcomedby some of Charlotte’s prominentbusinesses. Through a joint partnership

with Ticketmaster, Info! Charlotteis home to the only comprehensiveTicket Central. Ticket Central offersthe opportunity to view schedules andpurchase tickets for a variety of events

including Panthers games at Bank of America Stadium, concerts at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre and plays atBlumenthal Performing Arts Center.More things are in-store for you duringyour visit, so please come take a walk through Info! Charlotte and experienceall that Charlotte has to offer. NR

bankofamerica.com

© 2010 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. Member FDIC.

Investing and lendingin our communities:

the right thing to do and the

smart thing to do, happily

aligned.

At Bank of America, our commitment to investing and

lending in our communities is stronger than ever. We act

as an economic catalyst by supporting critical needs such

as economic development, nonprofit sustainability and

affordable housing. Yes, it’s the right thing to do: these

initiatives help strengthen neighborhoods and revitalize

the places we call home. But it’s also the smart thing to

do: strong, vibrant communities are good for our

business. And good for us all.

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Bk f amic

Bank of America is proud to

call Charlotte home. We have atremendous investment here interms of people, leadership andinfrastructure. With more than15,000 associates in Charlotte and

nearly 18,000 in North Carolina,this gives us an opportunity – andtherefore a responsibility – toimmerse ourselves in the civic life of

the city and the region. We are committed to providing

meaningful and responsive supportto the communities where welive and work, to help individuals

and familiesnavigate challengingeconomic times

and beyond. We leveragea powerful combination of human and financial capitalto support nonprofits serving

critical community needs andalign our volunteerism with ourphilanthropy, which further extendsour impact in the neighborhoods we serve.

In 2009, the Bank of AmericaCharitable Foundation invested$18 million in nonprofitsthroughout North Carolina. In

Charlotte alone, our associates volunteered more than 100,000

hours and donated more than$3 million dollars through ourmatching gifts program. Webelieve that each contribution of

service is important and together we can create positive change.

Charlotte is a great place to dobusiness, and we are proud to serveour customers throughout the state.

We do that through a network of 200 banking centers, nearly 500

ATM machines, small business andinvestment banking offices and a

variety of products and services.For more information about

Bank of America please visit www.bankofamerica.com/opportunity.

Meet Our Welcoming Committee!pm Sponsors

Power Lunches or saiLs Meetings

INDIVIDUAL & CORPORATE MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE

Special Corporate Membership ProgramMeeting & Event Facilities l Corporate Outing & Event Packages

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and everything in between!

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Cis Mdic C

Carolinas Medical Center(CMC) is one of the mostcomprehensive acute carehospitals in the Carolinas, andthe largest hospital in CarolinasHealthCare System (CHS),

which comprises more than 30affiliated hospitals.

With 874 beds and the region’sonly Level I Trauma Center, CMCtreats patients from a widespreadgeographic area. Each year CMChas more than 50,000 inpatientdischarges; more than 6,500newborn deliveries; more than31,000 surgical procedures; and

more than 110,000 emergency department visits.In 2010 CMC received

Charlotte’s Consumer Choice Award for the 13th time. Thisaward, presented by the NationalResearch Corporation, is basedon comprehensive independentstudies of patient satisfaction.

Other award-winning hospitals

in the network serving greater

Charlotte include CMC-Mercy in

uptown Charlotte; CMC-NorthEastand Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital

in Concord; CMC-Pineville in

Pineville; CMC-Randolph in

uptown Charlotte (behavioral

health); CMC-University in

the University area; Carolinas

Rehabilitation and Carolinas

Rehabilitation-Mount Holly.

CMC is one of only five Academic Medical Center

Teaching Hospitals in NorthCarolina and serves as theCharlotte Campus of the UNCSchool of Medicine.

A sampling of key services:•Physician Services Group of CHS manages more than 100physician practices in morethan 200 convenient practicelocations, offering a full range of services in family medicine, ob/gyn and other specialties.•Levine Children’s Hospital,

which opened in 2007 with 234-beds, is the most comprehensivepediatric hospital between Atlanta

and Washington, D.C. Withmore than 30 specialties, it hasa dedicated 24-hour emergency department and a regionalnetwork of outpatient centers.•Women’s Center andMaternity Center offersmultiple services in a home-likeenvironment including full-term and high-risk deliveries;postpartum and high-risk prenatal units; lactation services;

obstetrical education andgynecological oncology.•Levine Cancer Institute wasformed in 2010 to enhancethe availability, quality andconvenience of cancer treatmentat CHS-affiliated hospitalsthroughout the Carolinas. A key component is BlumenthalCancer Center, an accreditedcancer center offering a multi-

disciplinary team approach topatient treatment.•Sanger Heart and Vascular

Institute, which performsapproximately 800 open heartsurgeries and 14,000 cardiaccatheterizations per year, is oneof the largest cardiac and vascularprograms in the Southeast.•Carolinas Poison Center has dedicated toxicologistsoffering 24-hour service at1.800.222.1222.•Neurosciences and Spine

Institute provides multi-disciplinary treatment to brain,spine and nervous systemdisorders, offering patient care,research, rehabilitation andspecialty options.•Transplant Center is aMedicare-approved center for

transplantation of the kidney,

heart, liver and pancreas for adults;

heart, kidney, liver and bone

marrow for children; and live

kidney donor transplants.The CHS Tree of Life logo

is a symbol of quality visible atCMC and a host of affiliatedfacilities. Whether it’s a medicalpractice, urgent care center,health care pavilion, community hospital, trauma center or otherfacility, CHS provides a medicalhome for all, from childbirththroughout their lifetimes.

For a complete list of CHS-

affiliated hospitals visit www.carolinasmedicalcenter.org/locations. For informationon how to find a doctor

visit http://findadoctor.carolinasmedicalcenter.org

For information on thebenefits of CMC’s membershipgroup for women visit

www.carolinasmedicalcenter.org/active.

pm Sponsor

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


pm Sponsor

yMCa

When you join the Y,you’re coming together withmen, women and childrenfrom your community whoare joined together by a sharedpassion: to strengthen thefoundations of community.

With a focus ondeveloping the potential of kids, improving health and

well-being, giving back andsupporting our neighbors,

joining the Y will not justbring about meaningfulchange in yourself, but inyour community, too.

YouthDevelopment:Nurturing thepotential of every child and teen

We believe that all kidsdeserve the opportunity todiscover who they are and

what they can achieve. Nomatter what activity yourchild engages in – fromswim lessons to sports,summer camp to teen clubs– you can count on the Y to develop their character

and confidence while they’rehaving the time of their lives.

Healthy Living:Improving thenation’s healthand well-being

With 21 locations in thegreater Charlotte area, the Y isa leading voice on health and

well-being. With a missioncentered on balance, the Y brings families closer together,encourages good health andfosters connections throughfitness, sports, fun and sharedinterests. As a result, thousandsin our community are receivingthe support, guidance andresources needed to achievegreater health.

Social Responsibility:Giving back andproviding support

to our neighborsThe Y has been listeningand responding to ourcommunities’ most criticalsocial needs for 160 years.From literacy programsthat improve the academicsuccess of thousands of local children to providingeducation, resources andsupport to fragile families tobuilding healthy communities

through collaborations, the Y empowers millions of peopleand the communities in

which they live, to behealthy, confident, connectedand secure.

For more informationabout the YMCA of GreaterCharlotte visit

www.ymcacharlotte.org. NR

British AmericanSchool of Charlotte

Making a Worldof Difference

Laying the foundation for learning in a nurturing, creative, academicallystimulating environment. Full or part time programs are available.

Contact us today for more information.

704.341.3236 • [email protected]

For ages

3 to 16.

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Orchestrating All Your Healthcare Needs

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Jordan D. Lipton, MD Elizabeth M. Perry, MD M. Bryan Woodward, MD

• Fewer Patients, More Personalized Care • In-Network for Most Insurance • Wellness/Preventative Healthcare

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• Emergency Medical Care on Site • 24/7 Access to Your Doctors • Executive Physicals

Southpark | 704.554.8787 | signaturehealthcare.org

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ex chl

Bk, Ic.

•Modern. Southern. Style. At Belk, you’ll find the latest

designer fashions for the wholefamily, the biggest names andexpert advice in beauty pluseverything your home needsfrom your morning cup of coffee to the perfect pillow. Tous, Southern isn’t a place. It’san attitude and a state of mind.It’s exceptional service, smilesand more than anything, it’sdelivering the modern fashionyou desire and the valueyou deserve.

•A rich tradition

Since 1888, the Southern woman has come to rely onBelk first, for her, for her family,for her life. What began as asmall bargain store in Monroe,N.C., has grown into 300fashion department stores in16 contiguous Southern states.Founder William Henry Belk’sdedication to friendly service,fair prices and community involvement hasn’t changed – in

fact, it’s stronger than ever.

•A rich tradition of giving We are grateful to our

communities for the support they give us, so we give it right back.Belk’s rich heritage of community involvement and philanthropy have been an essential part of Belk since day one. We focus onthree key areas:

- Education

We believe that education is thecornerstone of success, and wecontribute to charities thatshare this belief. Our effortsare making an investment notonly in young minds, but inthe future.

-Women’s health Belk is committed to theongoing effort to cure breastcancer. By supporting and

donating to breast cancerawareness and research efforts,

we hope to make a difference inthe lives of women.

-Community

We’re hoping to change the world,and we’re starting in our ownbackyard. We give generously of our money and our volunteertime to local charities that support

initiatives in the neighborhoods where our customers andassociates live and work.

•A Belk near you

We have three locations inthe Charlotte area to serve yourshopping needs. They includeour flagship store in SouthPark Mall, Carolina Place Mall inPineville and Northlake Mall. So

whether you’re looking for the

latest designer brands like Theory,DKNY, Coach or Farragamoat our SouthPark store or yourfavorite styles for less from KimRogers, Red Camel and Madisonat any location, you’ll findeverything you need and moreat a Belk store near you. And of course, your favorite fashions arealways just a click away at

www.belk.com.

Budg Sf Sg

Budget Self Storage is aNorth Carolina based company (co-headquartered in Charlotteand Winston-Salem) that offers a

wide range of secure, convenientand affordable storage facility options. Budget has 13 locationsin the Charlotte area, includingnearby locations in Fort Mill,Gastonia and Lake Norman.

All Budget Self Storagelocations feature:•Open seven days a week •Security alarms and

video monitoring

•Variety of sizes for personal andbusiness storage

•Climate controlled and garage-

sized units•Storage and moving supplies•No deposits•No long-term contracts•No “hidden” set up fees

Budget offers customizedrelocation programs toassist businesses that aretransitioning employees into the

Charlotte area. Select Budgetstores, including Charlotte’sIndependence Boulevard(Wallace Lane) and Mooresvillelocations, also offer low-costsmall office rental space. Budgetinvites all newcomers to theCharlotte area to a FREEMONTH of storage withno long term obligations. Toaccess the FREE MONTH

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


OFFER and to get additionalinformation, please visit www.BudgetSelf-Storage.com.

naSCar

The National Associationfor Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.(NASCAR) is the sanctioningbody for one of North America’spremier sports. NASCAR is theNo. 1 spectator sport – withmore of the top 20 highestattended sporting events in theU.S. than any other sport – andis the No. 2 rated regular-seasonsport on television. NASCAR races are broadcast in morethan 150 countries and in 20languages. NASCAR fans are themost brand loyal in all of sports,and as a result more Fortune500 companies participate inNASCAR than any other sport.

naSCar h f Fm

Located in UptownCharlotte, the 150,000-square-foot NASCAR Hall of Fame isan interactive, entertainmentattraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR.The high-tech venue, designedto educate and entertainrace fans and non-fans alike,includes artifacts, interactiveexhibits, 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor,

Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant,Sports Avenue retail outletand NASCAR Media Group-operated broadcast studio.

Families revving to visitthe NASCAR Hall of Fame

will find 40,000 square feet of exhibit space showcasing highly-interactive, hands-on exhibits,moving memorials, educationallearning opportunities and

authentic artifacts telling thestory of NASCAR. Guests alsocan step into NASCAR roles

with the variety of interactiveexhibits to practice a pit stop,

walk through a full- sizeNASCAR Sprint Cup hauler orcall a race.

U.S. ni Wiw

C (USnWC)

Dedicated to promotinghealthy and active lifestyles

and developing environmentalstewardship, USNWC is the

world’s largest, man-made whitewater facility, offeringpremier outdoor activities in

whitewater rafting and kayaking,

flatwater kayaking, mountainbiking, rock climbing, ziplines, team development andrope courses.

Plan ahead before visiting

USNWC. Our AllSport,CoolSport, QuickSportand AllSport Season passesare available for online purchase(www.usnwc.org). Our Website serves as a resource forUSNWC activities, childrenand adult programs, greatfood at our River’s Edge Bar& Grill, mountain bike trailstatus, upcoming news andevents, safety policies, and

what to bring.Located in the backyard of

Charlotte, N.C., start planningyour visit to the world’s largestman-made whitewater facility inthe world! NR

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


C Cisi Sc

Established in 1950,Charlotte Christian is celebrating60 years of excellence in Christ-centered, college preparatory education. Charlotte Christian’s

vision for students includes theintegration of Biblical principles

where character, values andessential practical skills areemphasized and modeled; arigorous academic program

where physical fitness andathletics are encouraged; and afine arts program where creativeexpression is nurtured.

At Charlotte Christian, we

nurture and educate the wholechild: heart, mind, body andsoul. Our faculty and staff instill the vision and practiceof excellence in academics,athletics, fine arts and Christiancharacter. We partner withparents to prepare students toexcel in college and in life. Asa college preparatory school for

junior kindergarten through 12th grade students, we emphasize

equipping and developingstudents while integratingBiblical truth and learning intotheir daily lives.

Charlotte Christian Schoolis accredited by the Southern

Association of Colleges andSchools - Council of Accreditationand School Improvement (SACS-CASI) and is also a member of the North Carolina Association of

Independent Schools (NCAIS) as well as the Association of Christian

Schools International (ACSI).For more information, please

visit www.charlottechristian.comor call the Charlotte ChristianSchool admissions staff at704.366.5657, ext. 6503.

C li Sc

Charlotte Latin is anindependent, coeducational,nonsectarian, college preparatory day school that enrolls 1,400students in transitionalkindergarten through grade 12.Latin provides opportunitiesto support students’ academic

achievement, characterdevelopment, leadership qualitiesand life-long love of learning.Latin’s challenging yet nurturingenvironment is created by abalance of academic excellence,a strong athletic program, anexceptional commitment to thearts and an educational approachthat is traditional in design yetprogressive in implementation.

Charlotte Latin fosters a

close relationship between itsfaculty and students. With theirteachers’ guidance, studentsof all ages study and serve theneighborhoods that surroundthem and the world that beckonsthem in preparation to carefor and succeed in the globalcommunity. Extracurricularactivities, an age-appropriatecommunity service program,

and an extensive internationalexchange and study abroad

program are offered. Latin is aschool where families of diversebackgrounds, races, religions andnationalities share the common

values of honor, integrity andmutual respect, as well as anenduring dedication to theirchildren’s educational journey and moral development.

Charlotte Latin is a memberof the National Associationof Independent Schools andis jointly accredited by theSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools andthe Southern Association of Independent Schools. Visit www.charlottelatin.org.

D acdm

Dore Academy is the firstK-12, college preparatory school in N.C. devotedto teaching children withlearning disabilities and/orattention disorders. Foundedin 1978 by Dr. Mary Dore, the

school serves as an importanteducational resource for theCharlotte area, surroundingcounties and nationally. Dore

Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) andfollows the N.C. Department of Public Instruction curriculum.

chl e

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The school holds membership with The National Associationof Independent Schools, TheNorth Carolina Associationof Independent Schools, The

International Dyslexia Association,Council for Exceptional Children,The Leaning Disabilities

Association of America, andChildren and Adults with AttentionDeficit Disorders.

With a small teacher to studentratio, Dore provides a distinctinteractive and multisensory approach with proven strategiesaround learning. Dore Academy offers a Signature Experience likeno other. The Dore SignatureExperience encourages creativethinking and exploration, sostudents develop a love of learningthat continues long after they leave the school. This uniqueprinciple guides Dore’s curriculum,assessment, the arts, technology andactivities that build character andsocial skill development. Studentslearn new and unique ways to

express their knowledge and toreach higher levels of achievement. Visit www.doreacademy.org.

Mckbug a

Cic Scs

For more than 80 years, Catholic

Schools in Charlotte have offereda quality education in the Catholic

Tradition open to any student.Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools(MACS) continues this tradition today.

MACS is comprised of fiveelementary schools K-5, oneschool K-8, a middle school anda high school. In addition a newhigh school is planned for northof Charlotte with a proposed

Cable

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Equipment is needed to receive Digital Cable service. An HDTV and an HD digital converter or an HD- ready digital TV with a

QAM tuner is required to receive Time Warner Cable HD programming. Incremental charge for ancillary services, Movies onDemand and some HD channels. Security software is not available for Macintosh® computers. Digital Home Phone does

not include back-up power and, as in the case with an electric powered home cordless phone, should there be a power outage,

Digital Home Phone, including the ability to access 9-1-1 services, may not be available. Additional charges apply for Directory

Assistance, Operator Services and calls to international locations. Service may not be available in all areas. Time Warner Cable

and its affiliates and suppliers reserve the right to discontinue any product, feature or offer at any time. Other restrictions

may apply. ©2010 Time Warner Cable, Inc. POWER OF YOU is a registered trademark of Time Warner Cable, Inc. All Rights

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opening date of August 2011and expansion of one of theelementary schools to includethe middle school grades. Weoffer an environment of strongacademics where 100 percent of the high school students graduateand 99 percent go on to higher

education. In addition, ourelementary and middle schoolstudents consistently score wellabove the national and localaverages on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills. These results areimportant, but perhaps moreimportant are the moral andspiritual elements that are a partof every facet of the schools.

Our schools focus on strong

Catholic values and traditionsand make these values andtraditions part of every schoolday from prayer life to behavioralexpectations. Respect for one’s self as well as others is an importantaspect of a Catholic education,and students experience the

discipline necessary to developrespect for teachers and otherstudents, as well as for themselves.Students are encouraged tobecome more socially awareand responsible. All students areinvolved in service projects andcommunity service programs.For admission information call704.370.3273 or visit online at

www.charlottediocese.org/macs.NR

For 40 years,Providence Day

School has fosteredin each student

a passion for learning, a strong sense of social responsibility,and a commitment to personal integrity. A school is only as

good as its teachers. Providence Day School has assembled oneof the nation’s finest pre-collegiate faculties. With more than700-networked computers on campus, technology is a highly regarded educational tool. Teachers use wireless laptop computers,document cameras, SMART Boards, Senteo technology, video,

and digital cameras for instruction.Providence Day School is committed to helping students

acquire the knowledge, insight and first-hand experiences neededto live in our global society. Our Global Studies Diploma

Program, the first of its kind in the country, allows students ingrades nine to 12 to choose a curriculum and set of experiencesfocused on developing successful and responsible global citizens.

Our campus is beautiful, our facilities are warm and inviting,

our curriculum is rigorous, and our teachers are enthusiastic andnurturing. We have spent the last 40 years creating one of thefinest independent day schools in the country.

Providence Day School is an independent, coeducational,TK-12 college preparatory school, recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education as a National Blue Ribbon Schoolof Excellence. Please visit www.providenceday.org or call704.887.6000 to learn more about Providence Day School and

our upcoming open houses.

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a hm Guid

At Home magazine is very unique. Existing and new homeproperties are organized by areaand price ... the way homebuyerssearch for homes. We offer ahighly organized, informativelayout featuring all the tools youneed to make your home searcheasy. Each listing highlightsbedrooms, bath, square footageand acreage; a brief descriptionof the properties best features;and the listing agent’s name,phone number and photo. Andmost importantly, a unique Website is assigned to each property.Simply type in www.MorePics.Info/MLS# and you’re there!No more hunting, entering inmore data ... you simply get tosee more photos and learn moreinformation about properties. AtHome helps you break through

the clutter of an online real estatesearch. And finally, we knowour readers are interested in allthings real estate. We offer helpfularticles and showcase real estateprofessionals and services. AtHome is your complete guideto real estate. For your freemonthly subscription, visit www.

YourAtHomeNow.com.

Bwick

We have a brand-new Welcome Center at the ManorHouse, where friendly staff isavailable daily to answer yourquestions. Cindy Hafer is

Berewick’s full-time community greeter. After many years atBaxter Village in Fort Mill, she’sintimately familiar with the areaand can help guide you through

the community. Also we justlaunched a brand-new Berewick

Website! Check it out- you canexplore the community on ourinteractive site plan and see acomplete list of available homes.

Visit online at www.Berewick.com.

C nw

hm Guid

The CharlotteNewHomeGuide.com Magazineis the most comprehensive newhome resource offered throughthe Charlotte market. Themagazine features nearly every Charlotte builder with hundredsof communities advertised all in

an easy to follow format. Lookingfor your new home has never been

so easy! Looking for more detailedinformation than the magazinemight provide? Through oursuperior reach NewHomeGuide.com and AmericanHomeGuide.

com creates a 24/7 presence, by providing constant opportunitiesfor home buyers to access newhome information 24 hours aday, seven days a week! Onlinelistings feature pictures, floorplans, inventory homes, schoolinformation, builder information,and so much more! Our magazineand cutting edge family of sites offer the most integratedinformation-rich data availablein the industry. If you’d like toreceive your free copy of theCharlotte NewHomeGuide.com Magazine you can do soby contacting (704)525-0556or [email protected]. The NewHomeGuide.comcan also be located at many Harris Teeters, Food Lions, andLowes Foods through-out theCharlotte metro area. Visit us

online at newhomeguide.com oramericanhomeguides.com.NR

Wlm Hm

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Bk Cg f

Busiss, UnC C

The Belk College of Business

at UNC Charlotte is Charlotte’sinnovative global businessschool. Accredited by AACSBInternational, the Belk Collegeis committed to developingthe next generation of businessleaders by offering programsthat stress our five core

values: integrity, knowledge

and innovation, excellence,diversity and inclusion, andglobal citizenship.

Undergraduate students may pursue a degree with a major inaccounting, economics, finance,industrial and operationsmanagement, internationalbusiness, management,management informationsystems or marketing. A new certificate program in

entrepreneurship is open toundergraduate students fromany major.

The college’s graduateprograms in accounting(MACC), businessadministration (MBA, with11 academic concentrations),economics (MS) andmathematical finance (MS)prepare students for leadership

positions in complexorganizations. Additionally,the college partners with topschools globally to offer MBA programs in Mexico, HongKong and Taiwan, and an MS ineconomics degree in Denmark.

The Ph.D. in businessadministration with a major in

finance is a research-orientedprogram designed to preparegraduates for teaching andresearch careers in academia.

The Belk College maintainsstrong connections to theCharlotte business community through signature programsincluding the NEXT speakerseries, UNC CharlotteEconomic Forecast and theCenter for Real Estate. The Belk

College has more than 19,000alumni, the majority of whomlive in the Charlotte region.

In 2011, UNC Charlotte willopen a distinctive new facility at the corner of 9th and BrevardStreets, providing a variety of educational opportunities forthose who live and work in thecenter city. Visit online at

www.belkcollege.uncc.edu.

Hgh e

C Pidm Cmmui Cg

Central Piedmont Community College(CPCC) is a vital community partner,creating relationships with local business andindustry leaders that can be felt at the core of its curriculum and professional trainingprograms, and preparing individuals to entertoday’s workforce.

Each year, more than 70,000 community residents turn to CPCC as their resource

for a high-quality, affordable education.

The college offers students small class sizes,online course options, quality instructorsand the convenience of six campus locationsto give them easy access to its close to 300degree, corporate and business training andcertification programs.

As an institution that strives to be thenational leader in workforce development,CPCC is prepared to help students start,change or improve their careers. For moreinformation, visit www.cpcc.edu or call704.330.2722.

For help findingchild care, call today!

Free child care referrals from atrusted community resource

Cabarrus.................(704) 786-1024

Mecklenburg..........(704) 348-2181

Union.................... ..(704) 238-8800

www.childcareresourcesinc.org

Child Care Search is a service of Child Care Resources Inc. made

possible with funding from UnitedWay of Central Carolinas, Mecklen-burg County, NC Division of Child

Development & Smart Start

A Service of Child Care Resources Inc.

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Qus Uivsi

Queens University of Charlotte is a private, master’s-level university located minutesfrom uptown Charlotte in theheart of historic Myers Park.Over the course of its 150-yearhistory, Queens has evolved froma small liberal arts college for

women into a co-ed university serving approximately 2,600traditional and adult studentsat the undergraduate andgraduate levels.•The College of Arts andSciences provides thefoundation of liberal learning atthe heart of the university.

•The McColl School of Business

is nationally recognizedfor its focus on leadershipdevelopment.

•The Cato School of Education

is home to the prestigious

North Carolina TeachingFellows program.•The Knight School of

Communication keeps pace with the dramatic changes inmedia and communication.

•The Andrew Blair College

of Health includes thePresbyterian School of Nursing,the largest private producer of registered nurses in the state.

•Hayworth College for Adult

Studies is a dedicated entry-point for adult students.

Queens is rapidly becomingone of the preeminentcomprehensive universities in theSoutheast, boasting five N.C.Professors of the Year and offering32 undergraduate majors, six pre-professional programs and ninegraduate programs, 20 NCAA Division II men’s and women’s

intercollegiate teams and anationally-recognized internationalstudy program named among thebest in the country.

As a community partner,

Queens is a critical contributorto the intellectual and culturalfabric of the city of Charlotte.Over the past year, Queens hashosted more than 30 nationally-renowned speakers, musicians,artists and authors such asCNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Dr.

Andrew Weill, commentator BenStein, pianist Leon Fleisher and

journalist Cokie Roberts. As it continues to build

momentum, the university

remains committed to itsfundamental mission – providingextraordinary educationalexperiences that transform thelives of its students and fosterpersonal and professionalsuccess for years to come. Visit

www.queens.edu to learn more. NR

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Charlotte has a growing socialmedia community that canquickly connect newcomers with

information and opportunitiesthat run the gamut from hardnews to entertainment toemployment. The trick is findingthe right resources to fit yourneeds and interests.

likdI

If you’re job seeking andaren’t on LinkedIn, stop messing

around and create your LinkedInprofile now! It serves as a virtualresume allowing potentialemployers to find you. LinkedInalso allows colleagues, clientsand vendors to recommend

you and your work – providingstrong, personal references. Alsotake advantage of groups for

jobs leads, new business leads,professional development andnetworking. Learn more aboutmaximizing LinkedIn at learn.linkedin.com.

twi

If you aren’t already onTwitter, you probably think it’s confusing and pointless.If you are on Twitter, themere mention of it made yousubconsciously reach for yourphone. The volume and variety of information available can bedelightfully addictive.

Start by following your real-life friends, favorite news outletsand entertainment venues,companies you want to work for,and your elected representatives.Check out @cltchamber’s listsat twitter.com/cltchamber/lists

for local resources that mightinterest you

Fcbk

The population of Facebook could constitute the world’sthird largest country, so chancesare good that you’re already there. Be sure to “like” theCharlotte Chamber at www.facebook.com/charlottechamberand check out our favorite

pages for links to our membercompanies on Facebook.

These are but a few of thechannels in the social mediauniverse, but they’ll get youstarted if you’re a novice. If you’re a social media pro, you’veprobably found all these resourcesalready. Either way, welcome to

virtual Charlotte. We can’t waitto connect with you! NR

sl chl

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Let us ORCHESTRATE

your dream.For the perect products or your kitchen or bath, stop

by a Ferguson showroom. It’s where you’ll fnd the

largest range o quality brands, a symphony o ideas,

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FERGUSON.COM*Subject to credit approval and minimum purchase.©2010 Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Findingdream

home

your

Whether you want to rent or own; whether you love the bustling

urban scene or quiet tree-lined streets; whether you seek an

apartment, condominium, loft or single-family home, you’ll find

what you want in Charlotte.

Plan to spend some time exploring the

possibilities, either alone or with the help of a realestate agent. The maps and descriptions on thefollowing pages will acquaint you with the differentsections of Mecklenburg County, including areaswithin Charlotte’s city limits and other towns outside

of Charlotte, and within the surrounding counties.

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


In o 2010, according to Carolina Multiple Listing Service,

Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s vg single-family home closing

price was $210,979. In this y’ mk, you are

practically of finding your dream home at a l .

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


uw

Uptown Charlotte is one of the trendiest residential areas,

with glitzy condominiums,rehabbed lofts, new single-family homes, town homes andelegant Victorian homes withinblocks of each other. Nearly 13,000 people currently reside

within the uptown loop, the areaencircled by I-77 and the JohnBelk and Brookshire freeways.By 2028, approximately 100,000people will reside here.

Charlotte was originally divided into four districts, or“wards,” with Trade and TryonStreets serving as the innerboundaries. The city still uses theterms to identify areas uptown.Fourth Ward was the first tobe revitalized, starting in the1970s. Today, it includes homes,

condominiums and apartmentsin a Victorian atmosphere, within walking distance of the culturaldistrict and office towers.

Third Ward has experienceda resurgence in recent years,thanks to its proximity to Bank of America Stadium (home of the Carolina Panthers) and thedevelopment of offices, shops,restaurants and the LevineCultural Campus at South Tryon

and 1st Street that includes theKnight Theater, Mint Museum,Bechtler Museum of Modern

Art and the Harvey B. GanttCenter for African-American

Arts+Culture. Johnson & WalesUniversity revolutionized Third

Ward when it opened its doorsin 2004.

First Ward is the homeof Time Warner Cable Arena,

MeckenbrCont Finding a Builder

For a list of builders in theCharlotte area, start at Info! Charlotteor with your real estate agent. If you

can’t find what you want there, callthe Home Builders Association of Charlotte at 704.376.8524 or visitit online at www.hbacharlotte.com.

You can also access the NationalHome Builders Association online at

www.nahb.org. Finally, the CharlotteObserver’s Home section, whichappears every Saturday, includesadvertising from area home builders.

Charlotte was originally divided into

four districts, or “wards,” with Trade

and Tryon Streets serving as the

inner boundaries. The city still uses

the terms to identify areas uptown.

The Garden District inuptown’s First Ward

offers a beautiful viewof the skyline.

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


three bustling towns: Cornelius,Davidson and Huntersville.

With 520 miles of shoreline,Lake Norman is the largestbody of fresh water in North

Carolina. Duke Power Co., nowDuke Energy Corp., created thelake in the early 1960s when itdammed the Catawba River atCowans Ford to provide coolingfor McGuire Nuclear Station.Mecklenburg, Lincoln, Catawbaand Iredell counties border thelake. Residents and visitors enjoy boating, waterskiing, swimming,kneeboarding and fishing. Andseveral golf-course communitieshave been developed at the edgeof Lake Norman, so residentscan enjoy the beauty of both thelake and golf courses

Cornelius – As a gateway to Lake Norman, Corneliushas become an attractiveresidential location with nearly 25,000 residents. The populararea around Lake Norman hasspawned numerous residential

and commercial developments toserve its growing population.Davidson – Just north of

Cornelius is Davidson, the homeof Davidson College. Residentsenjoy cultural and sportingevents offered by the college,as well as the amenities of LakeNorman and the town’s NewEngland-flavored main street.The town has a little fewerthan 10,000 residents. About

1,800 students attend DavidsonCollege, one of America’spremier liberal-arts schools.

Huntersville – Fifteen milesnorth of Charlotte and easily accessible by I-77, Huntersvilleis home to about 40,000 people.Birkdale, one of Huntersville’smost popular areas, is a 52-acremixed use developmentmodeled after a New England 5800 Sardis Road | Charlotte, North Carolina 28270 | 704.887.6000

Celebrating 40 years of excellence Leader in global education

College preparatory

Visit www.providenceday.org for open house information.

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


LANCASTER COUNTY

UNION COUNTY

YORK COUNTY

GASTON COUNTY

LINCOLN COUNTY

MECKLENBURG

COUNTY

CABARRUS

COUNTY

IRDELL

COUNTY

Statesville

Concord

Charlotte

Monroe

York

Lancaster

Gastonia

Lincolnton

Lake Norman

40

77

85

85

77

NORTH CAROLINA

SOUTHCAROLINA

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


sea coast town. It offersapartments, single-family homes,shopping, dining, movies, liveentertainment in warm weatherand a splash fountain that will

entertain the kids for as long asyou can stand it. Huntersville isalso home to several historic sitesincluding Latta Plantation Park,a large nature preserve andhome to the restored antebellumLatta Plantation.

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Matthews – A rapidly growing town, Matthews ispopular for its antique and craftshops, new-home developmentsand convenient location. Witha population of approximately nearly 30,000, the town isbalancing new development

with the preservation of historicbuildings, some dating back tothe 19th century.

Mint Hill — Mint Hillis primarily a residential

community, with about 20,000residents. The town has a strongretail market, a historical society,an athletic association and anumber of civic clubs.

Pineville — Once a mill village, Pineville calls itself “the‘biggest’ small town around”

with a population of only 7,700but more than 6 million squarefeet of retail space. Just 12miles from uptown Charlotte,Pineville is a dining andshopping mecca with optionsranging from quaint antiquestores in Pineville’s historicdowntown to national chains atCarolina Place Mall. The LYNX Blue Line terminates just outside

of Pineville, linking it directly toUptown Charlotte.

Charlotte is the center of thenation’s 18th-largest urban area,

with more than 7.1 millionpeople residing within 100 milesof uptown. As Charlotte hasgrown and prospered, so havenearby cities and counties. Whilein some respects they blendtogether as one metro area, inmany ways each city and county retains its distinctive flavor.

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More than 170,000 people

live in Cabarrus, which is just

20 miles northeast of uptown

Contios

Conties

Charlotte Country Day School 1440 Carmel Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28226

Grades JK–12. Tuition assistance available. (704) 943-4500 charlottecountryday.org

At CharlotteCountry DaySchool,every

voice is unique.

Discover how we will

develop your child’s

abilities and talents.

To learn more, visit us atone of our campuses or at

charlottecountryday.org .

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Charlotte and is easily accessible

by I-85.

Concord, the county seat, is one of the state’s fastest-growing cities, with a population

of 79,000. Concord is a majortourist destination with ConcordMills and Lowe’s Motor Speedway located just a few miles apart off I-85 exit 49.

Kannapolis, with a populationof nearly 40,500, was built by Charles Cannon in 1887. Oncehome to the historic CannonMills, it is now a center of biotechresearch and development as hometo the N.C. Research Campus.

Cabarrus offers plenty forresidents and visitors to enjoy.Reed Gold Mine State HistoricSite in Stanfield commemoratesthe first gold discovery in NorthCarolina in 1799.

Other attractions includeCannon Village, the Bost GristMill, Historic DowntownConcord’s Shopping District andMemorial Gardens.

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Just west of MecklenburgCounty is Gaston County,known for its history in the

textile production and truckingindustries. More than 208,000people live in Gaston County,

with 69,000 in its largest city,Gastonia. The county’s publicschool system is the seventh-largest in North Carolina.

The county celebrates itsheritage through a variety of museums, including the GastonCounty Museum of Art andHistory in the original county seat of Dallas, the SchieleMuseum of Natural History inGastonia and the C. Grier BeamTruck Museum in Cherryville.The Daniel Stowe BotanicalGarden in Belmont is becoming amajor tourist attraction.

Gaston County is also hometo Belmont Abbey College andthe popular holiday tradition of the McAdenville Christmas lights.

Each December the village linesits main streets with thousands of colored lights. Visitors come fromthroughout the region to enjoy the extravaganza.

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More than 158,000people live in Iredell County.More than 26,000 of themlive in Statesville, the county

seat and largest town. Thegreater Statesville area, at theintersection of I-40 and I-77,is home to a diverse range of industries, including plastics,transportation equipment, metal

working and distribution.Mooresville, located 30 minutes

north of Charlotte, is conveniently near Lake Norman on I-77. That

location explains why the town’s

population grew more than 56percent since 2000, to more than29,000 residents. Mooresville ishome to several NASCAR raceteams and related companies and

calls itself “Race City, U.S.A.”

Ll cy

Northwest of MecklenburgCounty, also on the shoresof Lake Norman, is LincolnCounty. Because of its locationin the western side of the lake,Lincoln County is becoming ahot spot for those who prefermore secluded lakeside living.The county has a population of about 76,000, with Lincolnton,the county seat and largesttown, accounting for 10,000residents. The town has severalindustries and many historicstructures. It also is home to theLincoln Theatre Guild and theLincolnton Apple Festival, whichdraws around 80,000 visitorseach year.

Denver, located in easternLincoln County, rests on the western shores of Lake Norman.Denver is a straight shot fromCharlotte on N.C. Highway 16,making it easy for office workersto escape to the lake’s charms atday’s end.

u cy

Agriculture and

manufacturing are importantindustries in the state’s fastest-growing county, just southeastof Charlotte. Farms producinglivestock, corn, soybeans andcotton exist in harmony withplants turning out textiles,electrical equipment andpharmaceutical capsules.Monroe, named for the fifthU.S. president, James Monroe,

The Daniel Stowe

Botanical Garden in GastonCounty offers a scenicexcursion for all ages,as well as educationalprograms and events.

P h o t o b yP a t r i c k S

c h n ei d er P h o t o. c om

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is home to more than 30,000 of the county’s 200,000 residents.

Waxhaw, at N.C. 16 and N.C.75, features numerous antiqueshops. Weddington, on the edge

of Mecklenburg County, hasbecome a prosperous suburb of Charlotte. Wingate University,nationally renowned for itsinternational programs, is in

Wingate and draws high-powered visitors thanks to the Jesse HelmsLibrary located there.

Yk cy, s.c.

With more than 225,000people, York County continues toattract newcomers to itsSouth Carolina suburbs. As aresult, the city of Rock Hill, withmore than 61,000 residents, isnow South Carolina’s fourth-largest municipality.

Just south of the N.C./S.C.border, Fort Mill is the home of Knights Stadium, the 10,000-seatheadquarters for the CharlotteKnights, a Triple-A baseball

team. With about 10,000residents, Fort Mill is a high-growth area, particularly with theaddition of Baxter Village, whichincludes single-family homesand condominiums as well asBaxter Town Center & VillageShops, a mixed-use developmentof parks, shops and restaurants.Opportunities for post-secondary education in York County include Winthrop University and

York Technical College, whichprovides technical training andtwo-year associate degrees. For adifferent look at education, visitthe Museum of York County,

which contains one of the largestdisplays of African animals and

arts in the Southeast.Lake Wylie provides

York County plenty of waterrecreation. Tega Cay, a residentialcommunity just west of Fort Mill,

boasts 27 holes of championshipgolf and two waterfront parks.

Lcy, s.c.

Covering 549 square miles,Lancaster County is 35 milessouth of Charlotte. The county, which has an estimated populationof more than 75,000, includes

Lancaster, Kershaw, Heath Springsand eight townships. The fastestgrowing area is Indian Land, whichis becoming a Charlotte bedroom

community. Andrew Jackson StatePark, nine miles north of Lancaster,offers 360 acres of camping,boating, fishing and hiking. NR

9502 Providence Road Charlotte, NC 28277

704.846.1100 www.charlottelatin.org

Admissions Office: 704.846.7207

Financial assistance is available. Please inquire about the Malone Scholarship for gifted students in 7th 12th grades.

…where teaching is valued and learning is celebrated

Charlotte Latin is an independent, nonsectarian,

coeducational, collegepreparatory day school

serving approximately 1,400 students in transitional

kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Charlotte Latin does not discriminate on the basis of

sex, race, color, religion, or national origin in the

administration of its educational programs, admissions

policies, financial aid policies, employment practices,

or other schooladministered programs.

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Employment In spite of a national economic slowdown, Charlotte continues

to serve as a destination for relocation. From young and

educated professionals to families in search of a better quality of

life, the Queen City remains one of the most frequently moved

to areas in the country.

Economy and

B y e r I n W a t K I n S

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one that continues to persuade those from more expensive urbanareas located around the country. Many feel drawn to Charlotte,

appreciating the presence of metropolitan amenities while still beingable to experience a better standard of living.

New business and employment has been consistent for theCharlotte region. In the last 10 years, Charlotte has seen 7,011

new firms and more than 61,000 new jobs. The unemploymentrate, although seemingly high, has decreased as the economy has started to turn around. Despite the recession, MecklenburgCounty saw 8,542 new or expanded jobs within the first ninemonths of 2010, announced by 713 different companies. The

Charlotte area was also fortunate to experience population growthduring the same time.

Charlotte has been ranked by many different publications,showcasing its success and all-around appeal. As seen by recent accolades, Charlotte continues to rise above many of itsnational counterparts.

Charlotte is an area for both work and play. The quality of life,presence of business, and a thriving economy make for a cohesiveand productive city. Almost 50,000 people move to the Charlotteregion every year. Any newcomer would feel right at home in theQueen City, the true melting pot of the south.


8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Embarking on Your Job Search As a new resident to the region, the Charlotte Chamber

of Commerce offers many resources in searching foremployment. The chamber’s Career Center Web site at

www.charlottechamber.com/careercenter has information

for both the job hunter and the employer. The resumebank provides an outlet for those in search of employmentto post their resumes, which can be viewed by more than3,000 Charlotte Chamber members. Also available is the

Job Seekers Package, a three-month membership providingnetworking opportunities, research data and special discountsto help get the employment process started.

The research department of the chamber serves as anextremely helpful channel in identifying possible employmentopportunities. There are several directories and databasesavailable that can prove helpful in the search. The MajorEmployer’s Directory is a listing of all employers inthe 16-county Charlotte region with 100 employees or

Recent Accolades

#1 – Top Five Best Foreign Direct InvestmentApril 2009, Di Magazine (ranked among400 large cities)

#1 – Best Place to Live May 2009, Relocate-America.com (ranked among 100 cities)

#1 – Highest Percent Change in Jobs August2008, U.S. Bureau o Labor Statistics(ranked among 40 metro areas)

#2 – Top State Business Climate July 2008, DIC(ranked among 14 large cities)

#2 – Best Place to Start a Small BusinessFebruary 2009, Bizjournals.com (rankedamong 100 metro areas)

#3 – Most Popular Move Destination January2009, United Van Lines (ranked among100 metro areas)

more. More than 1,300 companies are listed with contactinformation, including chief executive officers, chief financialofficers and human resource directors. Also included aree-mail addresses, phone numbers, Web sites and description of industry. This directory is available in hard copy as well as in

Excel database format.The Manufacturer’s Directory lists all manufacturing

companies, both small and large, within the 16-county Charlotte region. Like the Major Employer’s Directory,it lists the contact information for the CEO, phone, fax,e-mail, employment number and industry description. Morethan 5,000 companies are within the directory, and it is alsoavailable in database format.

The Foreign Firms directory is a listing of all companiesthat are foreign-owned within the 16-county region. Thisuseful piece is for those that have international experience orspeak additional languages. More than 845 companies arelisted in the updated directory published in November 2009.The directory is also available in database format and liststhe same type of information as the Major Employer’s andManufacturer’s Directories.

Other useful tools are the quarterly New and ExpandedBusiness Report, the Million Dollar Database and the Fortune500 list. The New and Expanded Business Report is publishedevery quarter and is comprised of the new or expandedcompanies within Mecklenburg County. These companiesrange from small to very large businesses. The company contactinformation along with employment number and investment

dollars are also included. This is a good resource for contactingcompanies that have not yet physically moved to the Charlotteregion but are looking for employees.

Dun and Bradstreet’s Million Dollar List has all companies

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8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


in the Charlotte area that have sales of $10 Million or more.This list is useful for sales professionals or those interestedin companies that produce a particular dollar amount. TheFortune 500 List includes companies in the Charlotte areathat have been listed in Forbes Magazine’s annual top 500companies listing.

Each of these resources is available online at www.charlottechamber.com/onlinestore. The CharlotteChamber Research Department and the Charlotte ChamberCareer Center are some of the best resources for thosenewly arrived Charlotteans looking for employment. Someadditional resources are listed below.

Charlotte Chamber Career Center

www.charlottechamber.com/careercenter and our partner,LocalJobs.com

Charlotte-Mecklenburg WorkforceDevelopment Board

www.charlotteworks.org700 Parkwood Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205704.336.6270

Employment Security Commission

(ESC) of North Carolina •5601 Executive Center Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte , NC28212 | 704.342. 566.2870•7140 Forest Point Blvd., Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28217

704.565.6865•10801 Monroe Rd., Ste. A, Matthews, NC 28105704.847.2660

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission www.eeoc.gov129 W. Trade Street, Ste. 400, Charlotte, NC 282021.800.669.4000

North Carolina Department of Commerce www.nccommerce.com

N.C. Department of Commerce JobLink Centers www.joblinkcenter.org•5125-A South Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28217

704.527.3195 ext. 6506•5601 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 100, Charlotte, NC 28212

704.566.2870 (hosted by ESC)•7140-A Forest Point Blvd. , Charlotte, NC 28217

704.565.6865(hosted by ESC)•10801 Monroe Road, Suite A, Matthews, NC 28105704.847.2660 (hosted by ESC)•4045-C N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28206 704.597.8057 (hosted by Charlotte Enterprise Community)

North Carolina Department of Labor901 Blairhill Rd., Charlotte, NC 282021.800.NC.LABOR (625.2267) or 704.665.4341

Social Security Administration www.ssa.gov5800 Executive Center Drive, Ste. 300, Charlotte, NC 282121.800.772.1213, TTY 1.800.325.0778

The Employers Association www.employerassoc.com3020 W. Arrowood Drive,Charlotte, NC 28273704.522.8011

U.S. Department of Labor www.dol.gov. NR

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


For special deals, coupons or to find a store location near you visit rackroomshoes.com

Rack Room ShoesLoves CallingCharlotte Home.

From Charlotte

we operate nearly

400 stores across

the country, providing

affordable prices

for the entire family.

Rack Room Shoes

carries name brand

shoes including Nike,

Converse, New Balance,

Rocket Dog, Puma, Skechers

and many more.

For six years we

have celebrated our

customers through

the Models Wanted

Program. Our exclusive

program provides our

customers with the

opportunity to be

featured in our advertising,seasonal displays and promotional

materials used in our stores.

Rack Room Shoes is

also committed to

serving the communities

it does business in

through our partnership

with Shoes That Fit and

internationally through

Word and Deed.

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Certain things absolutely must be done when relocatingto a new town. Certaininformation is essential to yourcontinued life, liberty andpursuit of happiness. Some of that information is available in“Finding Your Dream Home”(page 30) and “Economy &Employment” (page 42). Therest is boiled down here and in“Finding Your Bliss” on page 56.

Cidcare

chl r i.

(ccri)

www.childcareresourcesinc.

org 704.376.6697 or

704-348-2181

Provides a wide variety of information to helpparents and families find early learning and school-age childcare services.

Drivin

n.c. dv M Vhl

www.ncdot.org/dmv 919.715.7000

dv’ L iDownload the Driver’s

Handbook from the Web site forcomplete information. Here aresome highlights.

Newcomers must obtain aNorth Carolina driver’s license

within 60 days of establishing apermanent residence. You willbe required to provide proof of your full name, age and

social security number; proof of liability insurance coverage; andproof of residency.

N.C. has a graduatedlicensing program for drivers age15 to 18. Licenses for ages 18to 53 are renewed every eightyears. After age 54, licenses arerenewed every five years.

For a list of acceptabledocumentation (for proof of identity, liability coverage andresidency) and DMV locations,please visit the DMV’s Web siteor call the number above.

a rg &

L pl i

Newcomers must obtainan N.C. driver’s license beforeregistering a vehicle. There aresome situations under which you

can use a driver’s license fromanother state.

Newcomers must registermotor vehicles. Vehicleregistrations from other statesusually remain valid for 30days, but this time period variesdepending on your prior stateof residence. You must providethe title (unless the title isheld by a lien holder) and a

valid registration card from thestate of prior registration. Feesfor private passenger vehiclesinclude a $40 title fee and a $28registration fee. Registrationmust be renewed annually.

Vehicle must also receivean annual safety and emissionsinspection that costs $30.Inspection stations are usually found at service stations, cardealerships and auto repair shops.

dvg rl & rgl Charlotte citywide speed limitis 35 mph unless otherwiseposted. Speed limit in schoolzones is 25 mph. Statewidespeed limit is 55 mph unlessotherwise posted

Seatbelts are mandatory forall passengers.Child restrain devices aremandatory for children lessthan eight years old and lighterthan 80 pounds. Childrenbetween 40 and 80 poundscan be secured with a belt-positioning booster seat. They must also sit in the back seatif the vehicle has an activepassenger-side air bag and arear seat. Children under age16 must use a seat belt or childpassenger restraint system

at all times, whether in thefront or back seat. Placing theshoulder belt under the child’s(or adult’s) arm or behind theback is illegal.

Vehicles must stop for schoolbuses loading or unloading.

Drivers must burn theirheadlights when using

windshield wipers Motorcyclists must wearhelmets and burn head lights

at all times. Driving under the influenceof alcohol or drugs carriessevere penalties, includingimprisonment, fines and theloss of driver’s license.

Edcation

From preschool topostgraduate, excellence in

The Essentials

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


education is a priority for theQueen City. Charlotte boastsa wealth of K-12 educationalchoices. The city includesCharlotte-Mecklenburg Schools(CMS, one of the nation’s besturban school districts), as well asa wide variety of private schoolsand charter facilities.To find the very best option,new residents should spend

adequate time researchingall options. Educators andadministrators at all schools,both public and private, arehappy to speak with newcomersand answer questions about a

variety of unique programs.

pl shlchl-Mklg

shl (cMs)

www.cms.k12.nc.us 980.343.7450

CMS serves 134,951 studentsin pre-kindergarten through 12thgrade. As the 19th largest district inthe country, CMS has 176 schoolsand almost 19,000 employees.Some facts about CMS include: Ranked in Forbes as seventhin the country for the “BestEducation in the Biggest Cities.”

Ranks in the top five school

districts nationally for thenumber of National BoardCertified (NBC) teachers. Thiscertification is equivalent tothe CPA exam for accountants

or the bar exam for lawyers anddocuments a teacher’s skills. The top 10 percent of CMSgraduates outperform theirpublic and private school peersstatewide, scoring an averageof 1782 compared to 1737 forthe top 10 percent in NorthCarolina.

Serves more than 20,000students in 11 magnet programsat 40 schools. Magnet schoolsoffer students an opportunity to focus on a particular themeor curriculum while receivingthe N.C. Standard Courseof Study. Any student canapply to any magnet program

within CMS, but they mustmeet the program’s eligibility requirements prior to applyingand must agree to fulfillprogram requirements to

remain enrolled. Other standout programs within CMS include AdvancedPlacement classes, artseducation, character education,English as a Second Language,exceptional children, after-school enrichment programs,and a strong emphasis onliteracy and science.

n-pl shl

n.c. a i shl

www.ncais.org 704.461.1812

n.c. dv

n-pl e

www.ncdnpe.org 919.733.4276

Nearly 20,000 students areenrolled in 80 independent, non-public and charter schools,

including a growing Catholicschool system and a variety of denominational churchschools and non-church relatedinstitutions. Information

on private schools and howto select an independentschool is available from theNorth Carolina Associationof Independent Schools orthe North Carolina Divisionof Non-Public Education. A comprehensive list of privateand charter schools within thecity of Charlotte is available by calling the Charlotte Chamberat 704.378.1300. For additionalinformation on tuition andenrollment openings, contactindividual schools directly.

Hgh e Whether you’re seeking an

undergraduate or graduatedegree, training for careeradvancement, or enrichmentcourses through continuingeducation, you’ll find schools

to meet your needs. Besidestraditional weekday programs,many institutions offer eveningor weekend programs for adultstudents with full-time jobs.

A list of institutions of higherlearning that are members of theCharlotte Chamber is availableby calling 704.378.1300.

Emerencies &

Reated Servicespl/f/Medic Emergencies…911

Non-emergencies…311

Power outages

800.Power.On

all chl-Mklg

ag

www.charmeck.org…311


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8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Including Animal Care andControl, Department of SocialServices, Domestic Violence,Emergency Management,Fire Department, Health

Department, Mental Health,Police Department and more.

chl & fmly

sv c

www.childrenamily.org

704.943.9400

The Children & Family Services Center is a highly efficient 10-agency source of assistance. The agencies at thiscentral location collaborate witheach other and with agenciesthroughout the county to offercomprehensive services.

cm s www.charlottecrimestoppers.com704.334.1600

fl b ivg charlotte.bi.gov 704.377.9200

n.c. Hghwy pl www.nccrimecontrol.org

919.733.7952

p c www.ncpoisoncenter.org

800.222.1222

government

nh cl www.ncgov.com

North Carolina government

is based on the federal structure, with executive, legislative and judicial branches located in thestate capital, Raleigh.

chl-Mklg

www.charmeck.org

311 or 704.336.7600

The City of Charlotte andMecklenburg County are each

governed by councils electedevery two years in partisanelections – the Charlotte City Council and the MecklenburgBoard of County Commissioners.

The city manager is appointedby City Council and overseesday-to-day operations of thecity. The city’s mayor works

with City Council to establishgeneral city policies. The county manager is appointed by theBoard of County Commissionersand oversees the day-to-day operations of the county. City Council and Board of County Commissioners meetings areopen to the public and televisedlive on cable channel 16.

heat Care

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phy rl

www.carolinashealthcare.org

704.355.7500

Mklg cy Mlsy phy/dl

rl sv

704.376.0847

py Hlh

www.presbyterian.org

704.384.CARE (2273)

Find a physician beforesomeone in your family needsimmediate care. Start by looking

at listings offered by your healthinsurer. Asking neighbors,friends or co-workers if they canrecommend any of the physicians,dentists, or other specialists onyour list will be beneficial inchoosing what is right for you. If you still need help, several localservices are available to help youfind a physician who is currently accepting patients.

Mj Ml

Two major

healthcare systems are located

in the county along with a wide

range of specialists, nationally

renowned teaching andresearch institutions and a

“concierge medical practice”

for those who would like

extra special attention from their

physicians. While the spectrum

of medical services available to

area residents has grown, the cost

of health care remains below the

national average.

Carolinas HealthCare System

(CHS) is the largest health care

system in the Carolinas and one

of the largest public systems in the

nation. Its services cover the scope

of health care, from primary care

to trauma to long-term skilled

nursing. Located near uptown

Charlotte, Carolinas Medical

Center (CMC) is the system’s

flagship hospital. It is one of only

five facilities in North Carolina

designated as an Academic MedicalCenter and Teaching Hospital

and a Level I Trauma Center.

The Levine Children’s Hospital is

located on the CMC main campus.

It offers more than 30 specialized

pediatric services and state-of-the-

art facilities that address the needs

of patients and their families.

Presbyterian Healthcare is

one of the founding members of

Novant Health Inc. and represents

its Southern Piedmont region with four hospitals, a network of

primary care physician practices,outpatient surgery centers, urgentcare centers, rehabilitation andcommunity health outreachprograms. Its flagship, PresbyterianHospital, is one of the largestprivate community hospitalsin the region. Established in1903, it is also Charlotte’s oldest

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


extant hospital. It offers anarray of diagnostic, surgical andtherapeutic services and severalspecialized treatment centers,including a women’s center, a

children’s hospital and emergency department, a cardiovascularinstitute, a cancer center and abehavioral health center.

Pets

Newcomers must obtainanimal licenses for their dogs,cats and ferrets within 30 days of establishing residency. All dogs,

cats and ferrets more than fourmonths old must be vaccinated forrabies, and proof of vaccinationis required to purchase a license.

License fees are discounted for petsthat have been neutered or spayed,and a discount is available for seniorcitizens. Pet owners must keep petson a leash or within a fence, and

dog owners are required to clean upafter their pets. More informationis available at www.charmeck.org/

Departments/Animal+Control orby calling 311.

Posta Service

Call 1-800-ASK-USPS(1-800-275-8777) or go to www.usps.gov to fill out a change of address form or to find the post

office nearest you.

Taxes

chl-Mklg

py tx

www.charmeck.org 311

Real property tax rates arebased on 100 percent of thefair-market value and are due onSeptember 1 each year. Interestaccrues beginning January 1.Property values are reassessed every

four to eight years withthe next revaluation occurringin 2011.

Property located within thecorporate limits of the City of

Charlotte is taxed by both the city and county. The state does notlevy a property tax.

Property tax statements for carowners are sent out within threemonths of registration renewalsand are due by the first day of thefourth month following renewal.Property taxes fund policeprotection, public transportation,parks, public schools, libraries,restaurant inspections, and healthand welfare programs.

s Ll sl tx A 4.25 percent state tax plus a

3.0 percent local tax makes up the7.25 percent Mecklenburg County sales tax. Prepared food purchasescarry an additional 1 percent tax,and hotel room occupancy ratescarry an additional 6 percent tax

The 2009 North Carolina

General Assembly enactedlegislation that temporarily increases the state sales taxrate by 1 percent effectiveSeptember 1, 2009 and expiringon July 1, 2011.

s pl im tx

n.c. dm rv

www.dornc.com

877.252.3052

All N.C. residents are subjectto personal income taxes. Thestate’s individual income tax rateis based on the taxpayer’s taxableincome as determined under theInternal Revenue Code.

The 2009 North CarolinaGeneral Assembly enactedlegislation that will temporarily require individuals who meetcertain income requirements

to pay a surtax on the amountof taxes they owe before any

withholding, payments orcredits through taxable years2009 to 2010.

Visit the N.C. Departmentof Revenue’s Web site to see thesurtax qualifications.

s c im tx n.c. dm rv www.dornc.com

877. 252.3052

North Carolina’s corporateincome tax rate is 6.9 percent.The franchise tax rate is $1.50per $1,000. Many businessescan qualify for state funded taxcredits and incentives.

The 2009 North CarolinaGeneral Assembly enactedlegislation that will temporarily require all corporations subjectto corporate income tax to pay a surcharge of 3 percent on itsNorth Carolina income tax duebefore deducting any tax credits

or payments through taxes owedthrough January 1, 2011.

Newcomer Resource | 201054

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Transportation

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il a

www.charlotteairport.com704.359.4000

Our airport provides non-stop service to 134 destinations,including 32 international

destinations, to approximately 35 million passengers a year.The Wilson Air Center servescorporate and general aviationneeds. The airport offers shuttle

and taxi service, public transitservice, courtesy vehicle pick-upfor motels, hotels and rental cars.

G tFor the most part, Charlotte

was not built on a grid system,and several streets change namesmultiple times. A good street mapis a vital tool for newcomers to thecity. One is available by calling theChamber at 704.378.1300 or by

visiting Info! Charlotte.

chl a t

sym (cats)

www.ridetransit.org

704.336.RIDE

The Charlotte Area TransitSystem (CATS) has an extensivetransportation system in theCharlotte area. Local fare is just$1.75, while fares for express routesare $2.40 within the county and

$3.50 to neighboring counties.The LYNX Blue Line,

Charlotte’s first light-rail transitsystem, extends from 7th Street inCenter City Charlotte to I-485 atSouth Boulevard. Additional linesto Lake Norman, UNC Charlotteand the airport are planned forthe future.

The Gold Rush, a free shuttleservice, operates within the

uptown area during weekday office hours.

While the entire fleet is wheelchair accessible, CATSSpecial Transportation Services

provides additional services forthose with certified disabilities.

utiit Connections

Making arrangements for utility and other services for your newhome is a fairly simple process. A letter of credit or information aboutyour former utility services may

help you avoid paying deposits.

elydk egy www.duke-energy.com 800.777.9898

elc ( cl Hvll) www.electricities.com 704.948.0550

egyu ( cl) www.energyunited.com 704.892.0278

u pw cv(v vl )

www.union-power.com 800.922.6840pvll el cmy www.pinevillenc.net/utilities_electric.html704.889.2292

W swMklg cy 311 or 704.336.7600

Gpm nl G www.piedmontng.com800.752.7504

psnc egy(cl dv)www.psncenergy.com877.776.2427

tlh/i/tVat&t

www.att.com- 888-757-6500

pvll tlh cmy

www.pinevilledsl.net

704.889.2001

tm W cl www.timewarnercable.com877-566-4TWC

Wm (Mhw) www.windstream.com 800.347.1991

Tras & Reccinchl curb it! curbit.charmeck.org311

bfi (dv)…704.393.6900

Mklg cy W o W www.wipeoutwaste.com311

r.c.s. i (M Hll)…704.376.9359

tw Mhw ( w lm)704.847.3640

tw pvll…704.889.2291

W Mgm (cl Hvll…800.927.8362

The following companies provideresidential recycling services forunincorporated areas of the county:

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704.393.6900rl/Gds chl 704.596.2077

sg W sym, i 704.714.9400

W Mgm 704.824.2011

Voter Reistration

Mklg cy

b el

www.meckboe.org704.336.2133

You must be a resident for 30days and must register to vote 30days prior to the next election.North Carolina also providesfor same-day registration duringearly voting, which typically isavailable for two weeks prior toan election.


8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


Ahhh, the good life: It meanssomething different to every oneof us, but without exception,

we all crave it. Whether youprefer the hustle and bustle of city life or the peace and quietof a suburban neighborhood ...an evening with the CharlotteSymphony or riding backwarddown the rapids at the U.S.National Whitewater Center... rooting for your kid’s soccerteam or watching very largeprofessional athletes battle it out... eating a hamburger and friesor dining on exotic cuisine...dancing until the wee hours of the morning or snuggling by the fire at home ... Charlottehas everything you need tocreate your own private heaven.The following section offersa sampling of activities and

resources to enjoy Charlotte’shigh quality of life.

Arts & Ctre

a & s cl

www.charlottecultureguide.com

704-333-2ASC

Art and culture lie at theheart of world-class cities,and in Charlotte, that heart is

very much alive and vibrant.Charlotteans heavily support artsand culture in the belief that itsbenefits overflow into business,education and the economy. TheCharlotte cultural community produces 65,000 events annually,generating $158 million to thelocal economy and supportingmore than 4,700 jobs.

A major champion for

the cultural community isthe Arts and Science Councilof Charlotte-Mecklenburg(ASC). The ASC is a nonprofitorganization that offers thecommunity many services,including grants, events andprograms. The success of theorganization is evident throughthe $14 million awardedannually to arts education,cultural organizations andneighborhood cultural projects.

The ASC provides acomprehensive, online directory of performances, ongoingevents, attractions and venues atCharlotteCultureGuide.com.

Dinin & Nitie

Charlotte has dining andnightlife choices to suit every

taste. The following Web sitesand organizations can help youplan your culinary adventuresand evenings on the town.

cl nghl www.carolinanightlie.com

Provides information onbars, clubs and restaurants inNorth and South Carolina.Information is grouped by cities to make it easy to findsomething local.

chl rgl

V ahy

www.charlottesgotalot.com

800.231.4636

“The official travel resourcefor Charlotte” introduces

visitors and new residents toovernight accommodations, areaattractions, events, entertainmentand more.

chl ov

Charlotte.com/livinghereThe Charlotte Observer’s Web

site is chock full of informationfrom restaurant reviews to farmers

Finding Your Bliss

8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


markets to pick-your-own farms,recipes, meal planners and more.

You can also get complete news atCharlotte.com or subscribe to thepaper by calling 800.532.5350.

chl c

cy p www.indyourcenter.com

704.332.2227

Information on dining,nightlife and culture inCharlotte’s Center City,

which includes uptown andsurrounding neighborhoods.Categories are listed for types of food and nightlife, so it is easy for everyone to find what they are craving.

cv Lg

charlotte.creativeloaing.com

Full of all things entertainment,

from musical events to featuredplaces for food and drink, arts,film and more. Hard copies of thenewspaper are available for freein restaurants, grocery stores and

other venues all over the city.

Yl

www.yelp.com

If you want to know whatother people are saying about

a place before you make yourplans, check out Yelp. The siteallows users to rate and reviewrestaurants, stores, nightlife, etc.,and has a growing representationof users from Charlotte.

Expore TeCaroinas

Charlotte is ideally

positioned between the coastand the mountains. Several

popular destinations in themountains can be reached

within a two or three-hourdrive, and the beaches nearCharleston, S.C., can bereached in a little more thanthree hours. Below are someresources to help you plan adelightful trip.

n.c. dv tm www.visitnc.com

800.VISITNC

s.c. dv tm

www.discoversouthcarolina.com

866.244.9339

M-s cahvll, n.c.www.exploreasheville.com828.258.6101

chl, s.c.www.charlestoncvb.com

843.853.8000

Myl bh, s.c. www.visitmyrtlebeach.com800.356.3016

ph, n.c. www.homeogol.com800.346.5362

itness & OtdoorRecreation

Thanks to our mild climate,golf, disc or “frisbee” golf,boating, biking, tennis, hiking,running, horseback riding andother outdoor recreationalactivities are popular year-roundactivities in the Charlottearea. The area’s many gardens,parks and greenways also remain

well-used throughout the year. All these possibilities make

fitness not only convenient, butalso fun.

GlSearch area attractions database

www.charlottesgotalot.com

800.231.4636

North and South Carolinaare two of the nation’s mostrevered golf destinations. Golf in the Carolinas includes therolling parkland courses of thepiedmont, spectacular mountaintracks and soothing beachcourses. Pinehurst, with morethan 30 golf courses, is just atwo-hour drive and is one of thenation’s top golf destinations.

W r

dk egy Lk Mgm www.duke-energy.com/lakes

u.s. nl Whw

c www.usnwc.org

704.391.3900

The Catawba River andits system of manmade lakesprovide many activities for waterlovers. Located just 30 minutesnorth of the city, Lake Norman

has 520 miles of shoreline and isthe state’s largest man-made lake.Mountain Island Lake and Lake

Wylie lie south of Lake Normanon the Catawba. Sailing, windsurfing, power boating andfishing are just a few of theactivities to be enjoyed on this

water system. The CatawbaRiver system is managed by Duke Energy. Maps to public

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access areas are available at onthe Web site above.

The river is also home tothe U.S. National WhitewaterCenter, which serves as training

grounds for Olympic athletes as well as a busy recreation centerfor the public.

Additional lake and riveractivities are available throughthe local and state park system.

pk symMklg cypk r www.parkandrec.com311

n.c. dv pk r www.ncparks.gov919.733.4181

nl pk sv www.nps.gov

u.s. f sv www.s.ed.us800.832.1355

Mecklenburg County Parksand Recreation departmentmaintains an extensive publicpark system and operatesnumerous indoor facilities,

including Ray’s Splash Planet (afamily-oriented water park), theMecklenburg County AquaticCenter (MAC) in uptownCharlotte, several fitness centers,and several recreation centers

with indoor gymnasiums.The N.C. Division of Parks

and Recreation operates theLake Norman State Park andCrowders Mountain State Park in the Charlotte area, as well asa host of other parks within easy driving distance.

Our state is home to severalnationally administered parksand forests, including the BlueRidge Parkway, the AppalachianTrail, the Wright BrothersNational Memorial and more.More information on publicaccess and activities is availablefrom the National Park Service

and the U.S. Forest Service.

a tm sshl l www.plcmc.org/services /clubs.asp

chl o av www.choa.com704.759.6891

chl d Gl cl www.charlottedgc.com

chl aulm a

www.charlotteultimate.com Athletic associations for

children and adults organizeteam sports including football,basketball, baseball, softball,soccer, volleyball, swimming,tennis and rugby. To findathletic organizations, check Mecklenburg Neighbors in theSunday edition of The CharlotteObserver. You can also find a

searchable database of clubs andorganizations in the “Services”section of the Public Library of Charlotte and MecklenburgCounty’s Web site (above).

Another option is CharlotteOutdoor Adventures (CHOA),the largest, most active outdoor/sport/social organization inN.C. Activities vary widely andaccommodate singles, couplesand families alike.

Finally, the Charlotte DiscGolf Club and the Charlotte

Area Ultimate Association offermore fun than you ever thoughtcould be had with a frisbee.

f cYMca G chl www.ymcacharlotte.com

704.716.6200

If you like physical activity but would rather not do itoutdoors, you still have many options. The YMCA of GreaterCharlotte is one of the largest

YMCA facilities in the country with 19 facilities and more than161,000 members, programmembers and others served. Itoffers a wide array of activitiesfor members of all ages and canplug you into the many fitness-themed charitable events thathappen annually in Charlotte.

A wide variety of privatefitness centers are availablethroughout Charlotte. For a

list of fitness centers that aremembers of the CharlotteChamber, call 704.378.1300.

G

woh o fcw amm pk

www.carowinds.com

dl sw bl

G www.dsbg.com

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L pl www.lattaplantation.org

unc chlbl Ggardens.uncc.edu

Wg Hv G b sywww.winghavengardens.com

librar

pl Ly chl

Mklg cy (pLcMc)

www.plcmc.org

704.416.0100

The public library operates20 branches, including severalregional libraries with advancedcomputer and business services

with state-of-the-art technology,performance spaces, classroomsand a teen center. Most locationsare equipped with WIFI access.

Piantrop

u Wy cl

cl www.

uwcentralcarolinas.org

211 or 1.866.744.7778

Charlotte is well known forits philanthropic spirit, andnewcomers often find thatgetting involved is a great way to meet people with similar

interests. In addition to helpingthose in need find services tohelp them, the United Way of Central Carolinas offers aninformation service to helppeople find volunteer andcharitable giving opportunitiesto give back to the community.

Reiion &Spiritait

Charlotte, which has more

than 1,000 houses of worship,is often known as the “City of Churches.” Religious andspiritual organizations oftenform the nucleus of community life for Charlotte residents andoffer a variety of activities andopportunities for membersof all ages. And MecklenburgMinistries coordinates interfaithactivities to build understandingand cooperation acrossCharlotte’s diverse spiritualcommunity. Assistance findinga spiritual community near youmay be available from one of thedenominational headquarterslocated in the area.

aMe Z..............704.599.4630

av ch . 704.545.6161

b...................704.375.1197

chl ................704.370.6299

ch & Myall ................704.543.0470

chh G ......704.364.5003

chh hnz ..............704.540.8300

chh rlgs.................704.531.7993

el..............800.448.8775

Gk ohx...704.334.4771

H c chl...............704-607-8412

ilm sy Gchl...............704.536.2016

Jm................704.366.5007

Lh................704.372.7317

Mklg

M.............704.347.2404Mv ..............704.334.1381

py (usa) 704.535.9999

svh-dyav ..............704.596.3200

u...............704.549.0750

u Mhchh...................704.525.3395

Retai Terap

Nothing quite warms the soullike buying a new outfit. Andit stimulates the economy, so itcounts as a good deed! Charlottehas a wide range of shoppingexperiences, from major shoppingcenters to funky boutiques tuckedin alleys. You’ll have to explore thecity to find the hidden gems.Below are the major retailcenters.

shpk Mllwww.simon.com4400 Sharon Rd.,Charlotte 28211704.364.4411

c Mll

www.simon.com

8111 Concord Mills Blvd.,

Concord 28027

704.979.3000

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cl pl Mll

www.carolinaplace.com

11025 Carolina Place Pkwy.,

Pineville 28134

704.5436.9300

nhlk Mll

www.shopnorthlake.com

6801 Northlake Mall Dr.,

Charlotte 28216

704.921.2000

bkl Vllg

www.birkdalevillage.net

Birkdale Plaza Pkwy.,

Huntersville 28078

704.895.8744

RetirementResorces

all a s

www.allaboutseniors.org

704.366.1410

All for Seniors is acomprehensive resource and

referral directory for the GreaterCharlotte area. It covers morethan 50 topics of senior-relatedservices, organizations andagencies including adult day care, affordable housing, assisted

living, elder law, governmentagencies, long term care options,senior associations and societies,

veteran’s benefits and more.

cl a agy agg (aaa)

www.centralinaaging.org

800.508.5777

Under the Council of Government, this agency coversMecklenburg as well as eightother contiguous counties witheducation and services to helpand support older and disabledadults and their caregivers.

AAA provides family caregiverresources, long term carefacility resources, caregivinginformation, and training andemployment opportunities forthose aged 55 and older. It alsoprovides educationalopportunities and advocacy related to long term care forresidents, caregiversand facilities.

chl Mklgcl agg

www.charmeckcoa.org

704.391.5216

This organization is a non-

profit information clearinghouseand advocacy group for allaging-related resources andinformation. It offers training,on-going education, senior

programs and an annualconference in May.

chl Mklg

s c i.

www.cmseniorcenters.org

704.522.6222

Provides resources forrecreation, health and wellnessprograms, information andcounseling, and employmentservices for seniors. Classsubjects range from computersto exercise to line dancing. Localand out-of-country trips arecoordinated by the centers forparticipants.

J1cll

www.just1call.org

704.432.1111 or 877.889.0323

This free, one-call resource

provides information andassistance resources for seniors,adults with disabilities, andtheir families and caregivers.Services include informationand assistance, assessment of need, referral and linkage,and advocacy.

nh cl LinK

www.nccarelink.gov

800.662.7030,

TTY 1.877.452.2514

This site provides up-to-dateinformation about programs andservices across North Carolinafor families, seniors, youths andeveryone in-between. It is acollaborative effort of theNorth Carolina Departmentof Health and Human Servicesand many other government

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2011 Volvo XC60 starting at $32,400

University Volv7716 N. Tryon St., Charlotte N.C

704.547.1095 | www.universityvolvo.com

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8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


The following companies are recognizefor their commitment to the Chamberand the Charlotte community.

ADVERTISERS

w w w . ChARlOTTEChAM BER. COM / N Ew COM E

Alan Gordon Immigration & Naturalization Law ................................................................37

Bank of America .....................................................................................................................15

Belk, Inc. ....................................................................................................................................1

Carolina Buyer’s Agent ..........................................................................................................33

Carolinas Medical Center .......................................................................................................12

Central Piedmont Community College .................................................................................52

Charlotte Christian School ....................................................................................................21

Charlotte Country Day School ..............................................................................................39

Charlotte Latin School ...........................................................................................................41

Charlotte Motor Speedway LLC..........................................................................................IBC

Charlotte Preparatory School................................................................................................36

Child Care Resources Inc. ......................................................................................................26

Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. .....................................................................................................29

Majestic Tours, Inc. .................................................................................................................29

Pappas Properties, LLC (Berewick) ..................................................................................... IFC

Party Reflections, Inc.............................................................................................................BC

Piedmont Natural Gas Company ..........................................................................................64

Providence Day School ..........................................................................................................37

Pulte Homes (Centex) ..............................................................................................................5

Rack Room Shoes, Inc. .....................................................................................................24, 49

Ryan Homes ..............................................................................................................................2

Signature Healthcare .............................................................................................................19

TelWare Corporation ..............................................................................................................18

The British American School of Charlotte ...........................................................................18

The Peninsula Yacht Club ......................................................................................................16

Time Warner Cable .................................................................................................................23

Time Warner Cable - News 14 ...............................................................................................28

University Volvo .....................................................................................................................61


CHARLOTTE2011 Newcomer Resource

tAT&TBank o AmericaCaroinas Medica CenterDke Ener CorporationPresbterian heatcareTime warner Cabewacovia, a wes aro Compan

dADECCO

Aen Tate CompanBaor Beatt ConstrctionBek, Inc.Be Cross & Be Sied o Nort CaroinaBranc Bankin & Trst Co.Caroina Bsiness Interiors, Inc. (CBI)CaroMont heat, Inc.it Tird Bankgoodric Corporationgrant Tornton llPhendrick Atomotive gropIBM CorporationIKON Oice SotionsParsonsPiedmont Natra gas CompanPremierPriceateroseCoopers llP

Robinson, Bradsa & hinson P.A.Sinatre Constants, llCTe Bisse ami o CompaniesTe Carotte ObserverTe Sa grop, Inc.universit VovouS Airas

p’ clAREVABE&K Bidin gropBECO Sot, Inc.CaroindsCarotte Pipe & ondr Co.Carotte Reiona Visitors AtoritDeoitteEectrox

Ernst & yon, llPirst Citizens BankgE Monehsqvarna Proessiona Prodcts Inc.Inerso Rand Companlance, Inc.Maersk Inc.Oetree, Deakins, Nas, Smoak & Steart, P.C.RBC BankSarp Bsiness SstemsSPX CorporationSnTrst BankTe Cato CorporationTe Nortiand CompanTe Vanard gropTIAA-CREwSOC-TV/wAXN-TV

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c h o o s i n g e f f i c i e n c y • D E L I V E R I N G R E L I A B I L I T Y • g i v i n g b a c k

www.piedmontng.com

Energy that shows

For an

invisible product,its benefts are clear.

It keeps you warm on a cold night. It helps you

cook dinner. And it can even wash the dishes.Natural gas makes your home eel more relaxing

because this energy source provided by Piedmont

Natural Gas is one o the most dependable

and efcient available. You don’t have to worry

about losing service during a storm. You can take

longer showers without running out o hot water.

And there are even natural gas generators

that can keep rerigerators, lights and air

conditioners working in the middle o a power

outage. It’s a product so trusted that several

of the country’s most critical buildings rely on natural gas, including the Pentagon,

the White House and the Capitol building.

It’s also one o the astest-growing

energy sources in the marketplace,

now providing one-ourth o the

nation’s energy. And those 69 million

customers are actually helping the

environment by choosing natural

gas. The average natural gas

home emits 46 percent less

carbon than an all-electric

home. So the air enjoys ewer

harmul emissions and you

can enjoy a cozy fre without

any soot or ashes. But whether

you’re curled up by the ire

with a book or grilling out

with riends, as a Piedmont

Natural Gas customer you’ll

also support a primarily domestic

product. More than 98 percent

o the gas we use in the United States

comes rom North America, which helps make

the distribution eicient as well. Accordingto the Department o Energy, only 10 percent

o natural gas energy is lost in its journey

to your home, while electricity loses almost

65 percent o its useul energy. Natural gas also

heats water twice as fast as electricity using

half the energy. And on average you can dry

two loads o laundry with a gas dryer or what

it costs to dry one load o laundry in an electric

dryer. Not to mention that’s less work or

you. Natural gas appliances come with

eiciencies built-in. Gas range burnersrespond instantly, deliver precise heat,

oer more control and take less time to

clean. Proessional ches all around the

world preer the accurate cooking that

a gas range oers. Even maintenance

is easy because all o our customers

enjoy access to our Service Plus

program with expert technicians

who take care o everything

rom installation and conversion

to maintenance and service o

most natural gas products. We’re

a company as dependable as

the product we deliver. Every

day Piedmont Natural Gas

provides many things that

aren’t always visible. Natural

gas just happens to be one o

them. So while you still can’t see

our product, its advantages are

no longer hidden. And that’s defnitely

something you should see or yoursel.

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8/6/2019 Newcomers 2011


www.partyreflections.com

We put the special in events!

newcomers 2011

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