Quantative proof — America loves Carolina
March 29, 2007 at 10:16 pm | In basketball, culture, duke, education, north carolina, survey, unc | Leave a CommentOver at Public Policy Polling, Justin points us to a delightful new poll from Harris Interactive. According to the scientific polling, the Tar Heels are the nation’s favorite men’s basketball team. Carolina moved ahead of Duke, which had held the number one spot for four straight years.
As fun as it is for me to point that out, it’s worth considering what that means in terms of academics, in terms of economics, and in terms of cultural significance. I’d love to see some polling that looks at how people relate athletic success and academic reputation, but in its absence, I’m happy to offer some wild speculation.
The fact that two schools like Carolina and Duke have such a hold on national attention cannot be a bad thing for the state. At the very least, consider this: I can’t imagine how much collegiate apparel gets sold all over North Carolina in the month of March. I can’t imagine how many offices spend working hours discussing the reputations of those two schools. And I’m sure that people hold both schools in more esteem because of their basketball programs.
In the same way that people flock to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby and to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl, we have basketball tourists who make the trip down Tobacco Road for big games, multiple times a year. There are books written every year about the rivalry. And when Carolina plays Duke, ESPN shuts down everything else to focus on one thing. That means something, too.
On a personal level, every time I get asked about where I went to school, I say “Chapel Hill” and there is instant recognition. I’m sure that’s meant something for my career.
If you see some numbers about those other things I talked about, shoot me a line…
– mvc
Open house at Southern Ventures
March 29, 2007 at 9:35 pm | In business, community, entrepreneurship, innovation, north carolina, technology, venture capital | Leave a CommentJason Caplain, a co-founder at Southern Capital Ventures, is tired of hearing about how venture capitalists are hard to reach. So he’s doing something about it and opening up his office doors:
On Friday, April 20, I would like to invite ANY person that wants to meet to come by our office in Raleigh. You can have just an idea all the way to a well run business doing millions in revenue. It doesn’t matter. And all the typical venture capital BS that you may hear is removed – you won’t be screened out in advance, you don’t need to know someone to “get in” and there are no secret handshakes required. Everyone is welcome and I’ll plan to be in the office all day.
His only request is that the pitch focus on a tech product.
Even though I’m not going to knock on his door, it’s hard not to be excited about the opportunity here. Even if he doesn’t buy a stake in your company on the spot, he would be an incredible resource for anyone looking to launch a startup. He sits on the board for the Council for Entrepreneurial Development in Research Triangle Park, he’s a former investment banker, and he was part of the finance team at Red Hat.
– mvc
New leadership at Davidson
March 29, 2007 at 9:05 pm | In education, leadership, north carolina, public service | Leave a CommentThomas Ross Sr. is leaving his position as the executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation to become the new president of Davidson College:
Ross, a 1972 Davidson graduate who received a law degree from the University of North Carolina, spent 17 years as a Superior Court judge. At Davidson, he will succeed Robert Vagt, who has led the college for the past 10 years.
Ross has been with the foundation since 2001.
– mvc
Trump Towers Charlotte?
March 29, 2007 at 8:56 am | In ETHL, business, economic development, north carolina | Leave a CommentThe Trump Organization has targeted a block of South Tryon Street for a mega-development of luxury condos, a five-star hotel, an office tower and high-end shops, setting off the real estate grapevine.
Trump’s son Donald Jr. confirmed the interest, even though the firm is still working to acquire land in the 600 block of Tryon across from the Observer.
“We are in the very early stages of our investigation, but we hope we can be part of this great and growing city,” he wrote in a statement.
~ nd
MIT’s 2007 list of ten emerging technologies
March 28, 2007 at 10:55 pm | In business, future, innovation, science, technology | Leave a CommentMatt can’t get to a computer, but he wanted me to point out this interesting piece by MIT’s Technology Review on the ten new technologies that are likely to change industry, research, and the way we live.
Not quite NC-related, but still fascinating.
~ nd
NC Senate bill would stimulate venture capital
March 27, 2007 at 10:38 pm | In economic development, entrepreneurship, government, innovation, north carolina, policy, politics, venture capital | Leave a CommentPer the Charlotte Observer:
A bill that aims to stimulate the infusion of venture capital into young North Carolina companies has been introduced in the state Senate.
It calls for a new program that would lower the risks of investing in startups and other N.C. businesses by guaranteeing up to half the investments made by venture capital firms.
The maximum amount covered by the guarantee would be $30 million per firm; altogether, the proposal would guarantee at least $200 million in investments.
~ nd
The coming of the kiosks
March 27, 2007 at 9:36 pm | In business, design, innovation, north carolina, technology | Leave a CommentLike airlines with check-ins, some hotels in the Triangle are starting to transition away from traditional front desks in favor of a self-service approach.
– mvc
More accolades for Cherokee
March 27, 2007 at 9:12 pm | In architecture, business, environment, north carolina, technology | Leave a CommentCherokee Investment Partners has won an award from the National Association of Home Builders for its green building practices.
– mvc
Changing the face of Kannapolis
March 27, 2007 at 8:59 pm | In business, community, duke, economic development, education, innovation, ncsu, north carolina, science, trends, unc | Leave a CommentSixty years ago, Kannapolis was one of the busiest mill towns in the state. But over the last decade, it has been one of the places hardest hit by the forces of economic change. In 2005 though, David H. Murdock, owner of Castle & Cooke and the Dole Food Company, and Molly Broad, then-UNC-system president, announced the creation of a massive new $1.5 billion research facility.
The state will contribute $30 million annually for the operation of the facility, but the bulk of the private funding thus far has come from Murdock, who has committed around $100 million:
Using the best research equipment available, he intends to make the former mill town a center for nutritional research that will fundamentally change how fruits and vegetables are grown and consumed throughout the world.
Duke, NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, N.C. Central University, UNC-Greensboro, N.C. A&T University and UNC-Charlotte are all committed to operating research facilities on the campus. There are also big hints that another private university will soon join the partnership.
When it is completed, the North Carolina Research Campus will bring thousands of jobs to the area — hundreds of new research positions that will be created and others servicing the campus, which won’t require post-graduate degrees. There is a lot of hope that some of those with new positions will go to former mill workers. In the short term:
As many as 100 new researchers could be hired in the next two years, with hundreds more following them to assist in labs and offices.
Ultimately, planners believe the job creation could be as high as 35,000.
I don’t need to extol the virtues of another research campus in North Carolina — Research Triangle Park speaks for itself. But I don’t think that potential for this facility has been stated enough. It’s not just about jobs that will be created now, or in ten years — world-class research produces new technologies. New technologies become the reasons for new startups, and that type of entrepreneurship will be absolutely necessary for the state’s future.
– mvc
Tourists spend big money
March 26, 2007 at 8:31 pm | In business, north carolina, tourism, trends | Leave a CommentAround 45 million tourists visited North Carolina last year, and spent more than $15 billion while they were here.
– mvc
Foundation money for UNC-W
March 26, 2007 at 8:10 pm | In education, fundraising, healthcare, nonprofit, north carolina | Leave a CommentUNC-Wilmington received a $350,000 gift from Harris Teeter’s charitable foundation to support student health and wellness on campus.
The university said it plans to use the money to update and maintain equipment in its fitness center, as well as to enhance exercise classes and other fitness-related programs.
– mvc
Fact of the week
March 26, 2007 at 9:42 am | In business, education, fact of the week | Leave a CommentIn 2005, adults with a four-year college degree earned an average of $54,689, while those who only have a high school diploma earned $29,448. (via)
– mvc
Angels investing for fun and profit
March 25, 2007 at 8:46 pm | In business, economic development, entrepreneurship, north carolina, taxes, venture capital | Leave a CommentThere is a connected series of stories in the News and Observer today about angel investing in the state. While the piece tries to cover a lot of ground in just a few columns, there’s some really good information. The writers look at everything from advice for buying into a friend or family member’s company to suggestions for lowing the risks when it comes to investing in startups. They also point out that the state offers a big tax credit for investing in startups:
State law allows investors who put money into companies that are registered as “qualified businesses” to claim a tax credit of up to 25 percent. That means for every $1,000 you invest, you can receive a tax credit of up to $250.
The N&O has really been on an entrepreneurship tear lately, but it’s good to see them cover startupping from this angle.
– mvc
New jobs for Lenior
March 25, 2007 at 3:01 pm | In business, community, economic development, north carolina, rural development, technology | Leave a CommentAn older piece, but one well worth a read. The New York Times reports on Google’s plans to build a pair of server farms in Lenior. The city hopes that the new jobs will help to transform the area’s economy, which is trying to transition away from furniture making.
– mvc
Moving out of Eastern North Carolina
March 22, 2007 at 9:40 pm | In community, culture, demographics, economic development, future, north carolina, rural development, tourism, trends | Leave a CommentThere is a fascinating and bleak story in the News & Observer today. New Census data estimates that 15 North Carolina counties last population from July 2005 to July 2006. Twelve of those counties have a population that is smaller than it was in the year 2000. And ten of those counties are in the eastern part of the state. Conversly, during that same July to July period, the state’s other counties added just under 185,000 new residents:
Eastern North Carolina leaders say the biggest challenges lie ahead for counties that are too far from the coast to attract tourists and retirees and too far from urban centers to attract commuters. Without the textile plants and small tobacco farms that once fueled their economies, some say, there are few prospects for growth.
In response, rural counties are doing everything from starting programs to lure entrepreneurs to promoting green spaces and historic sites to draw tourists. Some of those efforts have been more successful than others, but experts say that even counties in the worst shape don’t face the challenges that are in front of some big parts of the American Midwest.
– mvc
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