Enlarge CMS principals react to the awarding of the 2011 Broad Prize. (The Charlotte Observer)

Posted: September 21st, 2011 Greg Lacour

Some stories worth sharing this week:

• For all that Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ teachers, students and administrators have been through these last few years--the closings-and-consolidations mess, the contention over teacher effectiveness ratings, the burnout of Superintendent Peter Gorman--it was gratifying to see the district win national recognition for its efforts to help poor and minority students succeed and graduate.


• U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Charlotte on Monday to formally award $25 million to the city for its starter streetcar line, the first stage in what Mayor Anthony Foxx and other city officials hope will be a catalyst for economic development along its 10-mile route.


• For a quarter-century, Hospitality House of Charlotte housed families forced to stay in Charlotte because of the hospitalization of a loved one, and did so for free. But last year, a drop in donations forced the charity to charge a $40-per-night fee. Recently, the Leon Levine Foundation came forward with a $25,000 grant as a community challenge, seeking a dollar-for-dollar match from donors. Want to help? Click the Hospitality House link above.


• Dozens of residents packed an N.C. Utilities Commission public hearing Tuesday on the proposed merger of Charlotte’s Duke Energy and Raleigh’s Progress Energy into the nation’s largest electric utility. People from all over the state traveled to Raleigh for their only opportunity to speak on the merger, which several residents said would create a monopoly.


• Finally, is Charlotte about to be known for banking--and bananas? Chiquita Brands International Inc. is considering a relocation of its corporate offices from one Queen City, Cincinnati, to another--Charlotte. Sources tell the Charlotte Business Journal that the city, Mecklenburg County and state are preparing an incentives package worth between $5 million and $6 million.

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