flyExclusive, the Kinston-based private jet charter company that went public in December, issued its first annual report since going public in December, citing an annual loss and slight decline in revenue from the previous year. The company said it had a net loss of $46.8 million last year, compared with a gain of $6 million in 2022. Revenue was $315 million last year, compared with $320 million a year earlier. A key reason for the flat revenue was that flyExclusive ended its agreement with New York-based Wheels Up, another “on-demand” jet charter service that made up 39% of revenue in 2022. T ..read more

Unemployment rates decreased in 44 of North Carolina’s counties in March, increased in 22, and remained unchanged in 34. Hyde County, the state’s second least-populated county, had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6% while Greene County had the lowest at 2.8%, N.C. Commerce reported Wednesday.  Six of the state’s metro areas experienced rate increases; four decreased; and five remained unchanged. Among the metro areas, Rocky Mount had the highest rate at 5% while Asheville had the lowest at 3%. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7%. When compared to the same month last yea ..read more

Winston-Salam’s Novant Health announced Tuesday that it will apply to build a new 26-bed cancer-focused hospital in Buncombe County. The proposed hospital, Novant Health Asheville Medical Center, will be built on a 24-acre site located at 455 Long Shoals Road. Novant Health opened Novant Health Surgical Partners – Biltmore in November 2023, providing access in western North Carolina to specialty surgical services, including surgical oncology. In addition to the proposed hospital, Novant Health said Tuesday it is committing $20 million over the next five years to ..read more

Charlotte Pipe & Foundry is building a new training center in Charlotte’s Myers Park neighborhood, replacing an existing site near the central business district. The 28,000-square-foot building is on the site that formerly housed Mecklenburg Furniture in one of the city’s priciest neighborhoods. BB+M Architects and Barringer Construction are working on the new structure, which is expected to open next summer. Charlotte Pipe employs 1,700 people at seven plants, including 1,385 in Union County and Stanly County factories and the Charlotte administrative office. It has another 1,000 workers ..read more

Toussaint Romain has been fired as CEO of Charlotte’s Center for Legal Advocacy following a turbulent period within the organization including several high-profile staff departures. The former public defender rose to prominence for his role as a peacekeeper and activist in Charlotte’s 2016 Keith Scott protests, and later for his campaign for Mecklenburg County district attorney ..read more

Wake County school leaders agreed to ask for higher employee raises this year the same day that teachers and bus drivers held protests around the district. The Wake County school board gave tentative approval to a plan that includes pay raises for teachers as well as a higher minimum salary for bus drivers and other school support staff ..read more

A N.C. Business Court judge is allowing a complaint filed by Truist Financial Corp. and a subsidiary against three of its former senior executives to proceed. However, Judge Louis Bledsoe III narrowed potential claims against defendants Matthew Rocco, Joe Lovell and John Randall in his April 25 order. The court hearing was held Oct. 25 ..read more

Burlington-based Chandler Concrete is becoming part of Maryland-based Cheney Enterprises. The provider of ready-mix, block masonry and hardscapes throughout the Triad, Cheney announced earlier this month that it will acquire Chandler Concrete in an agreement expected to close later this year. Terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1974, Chandler Concrete has about 500 employees ..read more

The former business partner of disgraced Charlotte financier Rick Siskey agreed to pay $350,000 to settle federal fraud charges. Martin Sumichrast neither admits to nor denies the allegations against him, according to a settlement filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in U.S. District Court in Charlotte. Siskey killed himself in December 2016 ..read more

Wilmington-based Intracoastal Angler has plans to grow with two new locations in Hampstead. The expansion “marks a significant milestone” for the long-time fishing gear and tackle shop, according to a news release announcing the new stores. Intracoastal Angler currently serves the Wilmington area at its store on Oleander Drive ..read more