AGP Executive Report

Energy & Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports show North Carolina premium gas averaging $4.89 for the week ending May 30, with spot lows like $4.14 in Nash County and $4.79 in Caswell County; regular and diesel prices also varied sharply by county, underscoring how global oil moves and refinery supply swings keep local prices jumpy. Coal Push: The Trump administration is set to route nearly $700M into the U.S. coal industry, including $425M via a wartime-era statute to support existing coal plants that include Duke Energy in North Carolina. Immigration & Local Economy: Charlotte-area advocates rallied against proposed ICE detention centers in Concord, Greensboro and Winton, arguing the plan could bring up to 1,500 detainees and reshape local labor and public-safety dynamics. Politics & Power: A redistricting roundup says Republicans gained the upper hand in the 2026 map fight, including North Carolina’s changes to a Democratic-held seat. Tech & Business: UNC and Northeastern researchers say leading AI models are weak at analyzing pro sports, even with a massive new sports-video testing setup.

Healthcare Costs: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina reported a $497 million loss, warning premiums will rise for its 4.3 million members, as leaders point to a “broken” system that’s too expensive and fragmented. Health Care M&A: WakeMed says it plans a strategic combination with Atrium Health, a move that’s already sparked pushback from critics worried about costs and access. Energy & Bills: A new national map shows residential electricity prices climbing fastest in places like D.C., with North Carolina up about 8.1% year over year—part of a broader grid-investment and demand surge. Data Centers & Policy: North Carolina is weighing new data center rules as other states keep offering massive tax incentives to attract projects, underscoring the competition for tech growth. Local Business Expansion: Ignite Medical Resorts is expanding in North Carolina by acquiring four Charlotte-area skilled nursing facilities, aiming to align with Atrium’s post-acute network. Public Safety & Fraud: N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall says scams are surging and that seniors are hit hardest, urging people to be more “nosy” when something seems off.

Duke Energy Rate Fight: Duke Energy is asking North Carolina regulators for an 18% home electricity rate hike over two years, arguing it’s needed for grid upgrades and power plants—while Durham-area customers packed the final hearing to warn they can’t afford higher bills. Antitrust Watch: AG Jeff Jackson urged a federal appeals court to judge alleged monopolization “in its entirety” in the Chemours HVAC refrigerant case, saying customers pay more when anticompetitive tactics go unchecked. Coal Push: Trump says he’ll use the Defense Production Act to push more than $700 million into coal—modernizing plants including in North Carolina—tying the move to power capacity for AI data centers. Gas Prices Roundup: GasBuddy data shows spotty relief across the state as prices vary by county, with examples like Lee County midgrade at $4.17 and Pender County regular at $3.84 for the week ending May 30. NC Economy: North Carolina collected $3.9B in individual income taxes in Q3 2025, down 19.2% from the prior quarter, according to Census Bureau data. Healthcare Demand: Heart to Home Meals is expanding into Durham, betting on rising senior populations and the need for at-home support. Agriculture & Drought: Severe drought is stressing North Carolina crops, with farmers “hand to mouth” as they wait for steady rain to protect yields.

Duke Energy Rate Fight: Durham residents turned out to protest Duke Energy’s proposed residential rate hikes, arguing the increases would hit households hard and help “frontload” power demand tied to data centers. Local Economic Development: Hendersonville City Council backed a passenger-rail renewal plan connecting Asheville to Salisbury, aiming to unlock federal dollars with a state match. Tax Incentives for Jobs: Hendersonville also approved up to $3.52M in incentives for “Project Crown,” a $124M healthcare manufacturing plant expected to create 148 jobs. Housing & Nonprofit Leadership: Habitat for Humanity of Lee and Hendry Counties named Everett McElveen its next CEO, bringing decades of affordable-housing experience. State Policy Watch: North Carolina lawmakers advanced a data-center bill (SB 730) that would add water-use and noise-impact requirements and restrict certain foreign ownership. Energy Costs & Volatility: GasBuddy reported some of the lowest regional fuel prices in the state for the week ending May 30, underscoring how uneven prices remain.

Fiber Expansion: Kinetic says it has passed 2 million fiber premises across its 18-state footprint, with about half its customer base and revenue now tied to fiber—another sign of continued broadband buildout in North Carolina and beyond. Housing & Insurance Costs: New data highlights how homeowners insurance rate hikes are hitting hard in some states, while separate reporting points to steep water-damage costs for Asheville-area homeowners. Real Estate Rents: Yardi Matrix reports rent growth ticked up in May, but remains muted, with occupancy slipping to the lowest level since 2013. Energy & Gas Prices: GasBuddy price checks show regular and diesel prices staying volatile across multiple NC counties, with several local “lowest” deals reported for the week ending May 30. Policy & Power: The NC House advanced a data-center bill that also blocks Duke Energy from retiring coal or gas plants until nuclear approval—setting up a major fight over electricity costs. Workforce & Education: Halifax Community College was invited into a rural strategic planning institute aimed at strengthening workforce outcomes. Local Business/Community: Corvias Foundation awarded $50,000 in 2026 scholarships to employees’ children, reinforcing employee benefits tied to education.

Data Centers & Energy Costs: The N.C. House advanced the “Ratepayer Protection Act” (SB 730) to require data center developers to pay for grid expansions, transmission upgrades, and new power generation, while also pushing water-efficient cooling; the bill passed 69-44 and heads to the Senate. Local Business & Jobs: Construction employment rose in North Carolina as data center concerns grow, adding 13,600 jobs, while lawmakers also moved to regulate data centers and tie development to nuclear power. Cyber & Courts: A North Carolina Business Court judge dismissed a Bojangles data-breach class action, saying workers didn’t show how the alleged hack caused harm. Legal Liability: AdaptHealth will pay $14.3M to settle claims it overcharged patients under the North Carolina Debt Collection Act. Public Health: The FDA is investigating two new foodborne illness outbreaks—Listeria and Cyclospora—while continuing Salmonella probes tied to moringa supplements. Food & Agriculture Risk: USDA confirmed a New World screwworm case in Texas, a potential threat to livestock and beef prices. Disaster Relief: SBA approved federal disaster loans for drought-hit counties in N.C. and Virginia to cover working capital losses.

Major Events & Tourism: North Carolina is leaning into a “Summer of Soccer,” using the state’s MEGA Fund to back high-profile matches and international team partnerships—aimed at driving visitor spending and boosting local businesses in places like Charlotte. Healthcare Costs: A UNC study says North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilot (Medicaid-funded food, housing and transportation support) cut healthcare costs by about $164 per month per enrollee, even though the program was discontinued. Economic Development: BorgWarner plans a $100 million expansion in Henderson County, supported by a $3.6 million state grant, projecting 378 jobs and higher average wages. Retail Expansion: Dollar General opened a new store in Murphy, N.C., with a weekend grand opening and giveaways as it continues adding locations statewide. Public Safety & Policy: Families of an Uber driver killed in North Carolina are pushing lawmakers for stronger rideshare safety standards, including tougher protections for drivers and passengers. Data Centers & Tech: North Carolina is advancing data-center regulation, including new rules tied to development and energy planning. Sustainability: Pratt & Whitney’s Asheville facility earned an Environmental Steward designation for reducing energy and water use and cutting waste and emissions.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: Seven Democratic-led states, including Maine, sued the Trump administration over a March deal that would pay TotalEnergies about $1 billion to cancel offshore wind leases off New York and North Carolina and shift investment to fossil fuels—arguing it threatens jobs, power reliability, and climate goals. North Carolina Energy & Policy: North Carolina lawmakers are moving on data center regulation, with a push to set clearer rules as the state also weighs broader economic and infrastructure needs; meanwhile, JetZero won a tweak to its $1.5B incentive package as the state budget remains uncertain. Public Safety & Health: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for drought-hit small businesses and nonprofits across parts of NC and SC, while federal health officials reopened a salmonella supplement investigation after more illnesses tied to moringa leaf products. Local Business & Growth: SOLV Energy says it’s backing more than 4 GW of solar-and-storage projects nationwide, including a planned 650 MWdc site in North Carolina. Cybersecurity: Gov. Josh Stein and NCDIT launched a statewide “Secure Your Square” challenge urging residents and businesses to take basic steps like stronger passwords and updates.

Offshore Wind Legal Fight: New York AG Letitia James and a coalition of six Democrat-led states sued the Trump administration over a deal to cancel an offshore wind project off New York and North Carolina, arguing it illegally pays TotalEnergies about $1 billion to walk away and shift into oil and gas. Local Business Growth: Diamond Properties bought a 113,568-square-foot Conover distribution center near Charlotte, fully leased to Dalco Nonwovens, expanding industrial investment in the region. Cybersecurity & Consumer Risk: Charter/Spectrum is facing multiple class-action lawsuits after a data breach allegedly exposed more than 42 million records, with plaintiffs claiming weak safeguards. Small-Town Decisions: Pembroke’s town council rejected closing rail crossings tied to an NCDOT construction request, saying the disruption would hurt residents more than it helps. Health Coverage Watch: A Georgetown report says the uninsured rate for U.S. children under 6 rose sharply since 2022; North Carolina’s rate was 4.2% in 2024, below the national average. Agriculture Tech: NC is piloting a sensor-based flood warning model for farmers, aiming to give about six hours of advance notice to protect crops and livestock. Local Water Infrastructure: Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro broke ground on a shared raw-water intake project to boost long-term supply.

Heat & Farm Labor: North Carolina migrant farmworkers on H-2A visas are bracing for another long, hot season as advocates warn heat stress is still killing workers and causing permanent injury, with regulators citing failures to protect workers in past cases. Healthcare Workforce: Agape Care Group, a hospice provider, was named a 2026 Top Workplace for Nursing by Nurse.com, highlighting employee feedback on support and career growth. Real Estate & Development: A lender is suing to put a receiver in charge of the $32M Cedars Lodge & Spa project in downtown Hendersonville, saying the developer is insolvent and the construction loan is in default while the site sits idle. Public Safety & Courts: A North Carolina-based charter bus driver tied to a deadly I-95 crash in Virginia faces additional involuntary manslaughter indictments after investigators flagged speeding and failure to slow for a work zone. Local Business & Policy: Charlotte City Council member J.D. Mazeura Arias is pushing to explore using tourism tax revenue to fund public safety, potentially reopening a fight with hotel and lodging interests. Food Industry: Spring & Mulberry expanded its chocolate recall to cover all 12 product lines over salmonella concerns tied to a date ingredient lot. Flood Resilience: A new study links wetland loss to higher flood insurance payouts and flood damage in North Carolina, adding pressure on wetland protection debates.

Uniti Fiber Finance: Uniti Group launched a second $1.14B offering of Kinetic Fiber securitization notes, backed by residential fiber assets in North Carolina and other states, with repayment expected in June 2033. Public Safety & Policing: A Shelby, N.C., officer fired after a viral video showed him repeatedly punching a Black woman during an arrest now faces assault charges, while separately a man sought in a deputy’s death was captured in North Carolina. Jail Health Costs: A UNC-commissioned report says inmate medical spending in North Carolina jails often runs over budget, with Southern Health Partners showing especially large overruns. Construction & Consumer Protection: The N.C. Licensing Board for General Contractors urged homeowners to verify credentials as hurricane season begins, warning about unlicensed contractor scams. Local Business Resilience: After Tropical Storm Chantal flooded Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing, retailers are planning for the next round of flood risk. Flood Mitigation Funding: Bladenboro is getting a $1.6M nature-based flood resilience project to reduce downtown flooding. Manufacturing Incident: International Paper’s Warren County plant explosion was reported as accidental, with three workers hurt. Health Tech & Policy: Telehealth GLP-1 use is under scrutiny after reports of overdoses tied to online prescribing. Business Growth via M&A: Diazyme Laboratories acquired Greensboro-based Carolina Liquid Chemistries, expanding its diagnostics reagent business. Accounting Firm Expansion: Raleigh-based Cherry Bekaert acquired Calvetti Ferguson, adding Texas and Nashville reach.

Public Safety: A Virginia man accused of murdering a sheriff’s deputy was arrested in North Carolina after a multi-state manhunt, with authorities saying he was spotted on wildlife cameras and was still armed when caught. Transportation Disaster: The deadly I-95 bus crash in Stafford County left five dead and dozens injured; officials say the bus failed to slow for a work zone, and the NTSB is investigating. Local Accountability: A Shelby, N.C., police officer was fired after a viral video showed him repeatedly punching a Black woman during an arrest, sparking protests and renewed scrutiny of use of force. Business & Industry: Techtextil North America is returning to Raleigh in August 2026, highlighting technical textiles and nonwovens with education and networking. Workforce & Economy: A report on millennials’ job-search “FOMO” points to growing mismatch between what candidates expect and what they get after accepting offers. Health: A Durham fundraiser for MAAME spotlights persistent maternal health gaps for Black mothers in North Carolina.

Medicaid Pressure on Rural Care: A new report warns federal changes could kick as many as 250,000 North Carolinians off Medicaid, with rural hospitals and clinics bracing for layoffs and closures as coverage shrinks. State Budget Fight Over Taxes: Gov. Josh Stein calls a proposed constitutional income-tax cap cut “a con,” arguing it won’t lower taxes for regular people and instead locks in benefits for the wealthy. Healthcare Costs in the Spotlight: Coverage highlights how Medicaid work requirements are straining budgets nationwide, pushing cuts to health care and education even among GOP supporters. Maternal Health in NC: A Durham fundraiser for doula support spotlights persistent gaps in pregnancy-related deaths for Black mothers, with many cases deemed preventable. Local Business & Land Conservation: Mast General Store’s Land Trust Day drive will donate 20% of Saturday sales to Conserving Carolina, supporting Western NC land and water protection. Asheville Greenways Leadership: Asheville’s long-time greenway planner Lucy Crown is retiring after more than 20 years shaping walkability and trail projects. Public Safety Tragedy: A deadly I-95 bus crash in Virginia—linked to a North Carolina-based operator—has led to involuntary manslaughter charges as investigators cite speed and failure to slow for a work zone.

GLP-1s in MS: New CMSC data in Charlotte found GLP-1 receptor drugs were linked to more physical activity and better patient-reported symptom scores in people with multiple sclerosis. Biotech pipeline: Dyne Therapeutics filed a biologics license application for zeleciment rostudirsen (z-rostudirsen) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, seeking accelerated FDA approval. Local business: Triangle company Grow Fragrance is selling plant-based candles and home scents made with plant wax and fragrances instead of petroleum-derived ingredients. Rural health funding: Rep. Don Davis highlighted $3.36 million in federal support for Rural Health Group in Roanoke Rapids, plus funding for five other eastern NC community health centers. Small business growth: A CoworkingCafe study ranked the Raleigh-Cary metro No. 4 for small business performance, citing strong formation and tech talent. Transit vs growth: A new analysis argues North Carolina’s denser cities won’t automatically boost public transit ridership, with many residents still preferring cars, walking, or remote work. Major project: Buc-ee’s is set to break ground June 10 in Mebane, with an opening targeted for late 2027. Public safety: A deadly I-95 bus crash in Virginia killed five and injured dozens; federal investigators are looking at driver licensing and safety oversight.

Immigration & Courts: A growing group of U.S. citizens and immigrants are seeking damages over alleged injuries during Trump-era immigration raids, including claims of pepper-spray, rubber bullets, and tear gas. Business Expansion: Woworks hired former Lunchbox CEO James Walker as chief growth officer and promoted Nolan Woods to COO as the company pushes franchising, including new multi-unit deals in the Raleigh-Durham area. Local Economy & Retail: A new “Mercantile Collective” is opening in Fort Wayne to help creatives displaced by Painted Tree Boutiques closures—an example of how retail churn is reshaping small business space. Energy & Utilities: Duke Energy’s proposed natural gas plants in Davidson and Davie counties drew early pushback over water use concerns, with approvals still ahead. Small Business Relief: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for North Carolina small businesses and nonprofits hit by drought starting Apr. 7. North Carolina Jobs: Judco Manufacturing moved its HQ to Greene County, bringing 60+ jobs and a $5.3M investment. Legal/Policy: An NC court ruled an architect’s cabinet design wasn’t copyrightable, a win for the defendants in a design-rights dispute. Public Safety: A North Carolina-based charter bus crash in Virginia killed five and injured dozens after the driver failed to slow for traffic in a construction zone.

Housing & Workforce: Gov. Josh Stein highlighted construction apprenticeships and Pitt Community College’s training pipeline as North Carolina tries to boost the construction workforce after a housing affordability executive order. Young Adults Pressure: Recent NC graduates rallied at the General Assembly over housing costs, debt and a tough job market, saying the degree isn’t the hard part—life after college is. Medicaid Budget Watch: A policy review looks at how North Carolina is preparing to implement 2025 reconciliation-law Medicaid changes amid a projected FY 2026 shortfall. Local Business Expansion: Wawa opened its first Wilmington-area store and says it plans major growth across North Carolina, with dozens of sites in the pipeline. Banking Deal: Coastal Carolina Bancshares and Beacon Holding Company announced a merger of equals to build a larger community bank franchise across the coastal Carolinas. Public Safety: A federal complaint says Charlotte’s Garden Inn & Suites operated as a hub for drug and gun trafficking, leading to arrests and a civil forfeiture action. Tech & Connectivity: T-Mobile Fiber customers in multiple states, including parts of NC, reported an outage that stretched into a second day. Healthcare & Industry: Honeywell, headquartered in Charlotte, asked to move a caustic leak injury lawsuit to federal court.