The Charlotte Ledger

It's 40 Over 40 Friday! Where we celebrate local unsung heroes aged 40+ who are doing great things in our community. This week we are highlighting 2024 winner Sherri Commander, CPM. With over 17 years at Lincoln Property Company, Sherri excels in property management, team leadership and advocacy for fairness. Her commitment extends beyond work, actively contributing to community service and professional organizations. Subscribe to The Charlotte Ledger today to receive exclusive updates about the 2025 40 Over 40 Awards!

Firms across the country have struggled with high interest rates on solar systems and new energy rates that lower the savings of going solar, and while Top Tier Solar Solutions has not been spared from the industry stresses, the company has been thriving. One way is by picking up customers from the bankrupt firms, said Brad Baldwin, director of operations at Top Tier. That, along with more solar incentives from utility companies like Duke Energy, has led to Top Tier’s rapid growth: It went from six employees three years ago to 126 today. Find out why customers are still motivated to go solar despite the cost of residential systems, which average $22,200 to $30,000. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ebmwZjMA #thecharlotteledger #solarpower #cltledger #cltnews

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company has announced plans for a first phase of the Iron District, a mixed-use development on the prime 56-acre site straddling uptown and South End (off Morehead Street). The plans include: ◼️ 500 residential units ◼️ a 150-room hotel ◼️ 100,000 s.f. of retail space ◼️ 150,000 s.f. of office space ◼️ 1,200 parking spaces. This announcement sheds light on the future of one of the largest and most desirable pieces of land so close to South End and the southern part of uptown. Charlotte Pipe said it is working with developer Trammell Crow Company on the project. It did not offer a timeline for construction to start. Full article in The Charlotte Ledger newsletter.

Three weeks ago, after Charlotte FC sent renewal notices that reflected an average of 6% increases for season ticket holders — which the team says aligns with the rest of MLS — there’s been a heightened concern among many fans over the value of their economic investment. “This year, it has been impossible to get face value on the re-sale market,” said season ticket holder Shane Worrell. Season ticket holder David Bakke plans not to renew his club level seats after his four-year contract expires next year. Bakke said he loves the team but still resents paying a PSL fee, doesn’t think the product on the field justifies costs, believes concessions are expensive, and said outside of the Miami game, “I can’t resell my seats on Ticketmaster for more than 35% of cost.” “Playing in an NFL Stadium is not going to allow them to manage supply and demand at all,” Bakke said. “The shine is wearing off.” Read on for more fan reaction and response from club president Joe LaBue. 📷Photo by Kevin Y. of The 5 and 2 Project. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eAZsg_rT #charlottenc #futbolfriday #thecharlotteledger #cltfc

While Charlotte leaders emphasize the “transformational” and “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to expand mass transit, the issue is playing differently in Mecklenburg County’s towns. While they support Charlotte’s larger transit ambitions (with Matthews as the one glaring exception), many seem to be especially enthusiastic about the prospect of millions in newfound road money, which would represent a big boost to their budgets. Cornelius town manager Andrew Grant called projections for $5.75 million in new money earmarked for Cornelius a “game-changer for road funding.” He said, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my career.” To varying degrees, officials in Huntersville, Davidson and Pineville have said the same thing. And unlike transit money, which would be overseen by a new 27-member transit authority, the towns’ road money would flow directly to the towns, which would decide how to spend it. Backers hope that the General Assembly approves the measure in November, which could lead to the issue being on the ballot as a referendum in November 2025. If successful, Mecklenburg’s sales tax would rise to 8.25%, up from the current 7.25%. 📷 Photo from Google Maps Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/e_K9JjZK #thecharlotteledger #transittime #cltledger #clt

Join Ledger Managing Editor Cristina Bolling on a nostalgic ride-along with longtime Charlotte Observer newspaper carrier Leigh Robinson, 55, who is approaching her final route after 40 years of tossing papers. Riding shotgun in the wee hours of the night, Bolling gives an up close and unique perspective on an act many used to take for granted, as they opened their front doors and stooped down to pick up the daily news. Bolling gives a poignant and entertaining view on what Robinson’s job has been like and why she was so determined to see it through to her last ride on Sept. 16, when the Observer will switch from offering morning delivery to using the U.S. Postal service. It’s a can’t-miss read. 📷Photo by Cristina Bolling.   Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/efBJyZYX #thecharlotteledger #charlottenews #cltledger #clt

It's 40 Over 40 Friday! Where we celebrate local unsung heroes aged 40+ who are doing great things in our community. This week we are highlighting 2024 winner Brian Collier. Brian has a distinguished career in philanthropy, leading initiatives for economic opportunity and community support, including during the Covid crisis, and serving as the president of The Gambrell Foundation and Victory Junction for ill children. Know someone you want to nominate? Subscribe to The Charlotte Ledger today to receive exclusive updates about the 2025 40 Over 40 Awards!

You’ve finished eating. Your waiter has brought the check. You’re ready to leave. And you wait, and wait, and wait for the waiter to take your credit card and bring it back. Now, an increasing number of sit-down restaurants in Charlotte and around the country are tapping into technology to solve that age-old annoyance. For quicker payments, they’re offering QR codes. Some are expanding the use of apps (applications, not appetizers). It’s part of a bigger move toward incorporating technology into food service. Food delivery and order-at-the-counter restaurants have made big strides in adopting technology in recent years. Now, the tech is migrating into sit-down restaurants, too, where it tends to be popular with younger customers adept at using their phones.   📷Photo by On Shot, pexels.com   Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/d2eU6ExP #thecharlotteledger #technology #cltledger #clt

American Airlines announces its summer 2025 schedule. Next summer, it will offer daily flights from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Athens, Greece, beginning June 5.

In the latest edition of Transit Time, WFAE’s Steve Harrison delves into the fallout over whether Matthews will get a light rail line or special bus service. Harrison points out discrepancies between what Ed Driggs, chair of Charlotte City Council’s transportation committee, said to the Rotary Club of Charlotte last week and to a WFAE audience days later. He explains why city politicians are doing their best to tamp down anger over the Silver Line decision and how it could torpedo the chances funding the transportation plan to begin with. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dKg3-jhk #thecharlotteledger #transittime #cltledger #silverline