Kevin Ellis

Charlotte

Managing Editor at Business North Carolina

Managing Editor at Business North Carolina and passionate about news. Followers and links are not endorsements.

Articles

UNC Health CEO and Dean of UNC School of Medicine Dr. Wesley Burks to step down

2 days ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

UNC Health CEO and the dean of UNC School of Medicine Dr. Wesley Burks will step down from those roles to focus more efforts on the development of a $2 billion children’s hospital, as well as spend more time with his family and tend to a family member’s increasing health needs. His last day in his current roles at UNC will be Sept. 1, according to a UNC Health release. Burks has been in his current roles since December 2018.
Cone Health has competition for Mebane hospital from Duke Health and Novant Health tandem

1 week ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Cone Health will have some competition for its plans to build a $250 million hospital in the Alamance County portion of Mebane. Duke Health and Novant Health have put in a joint Certificate of Need request to build a $225 million hospital in Mebane. Both hospitals would be approximately 46 beds. In North Carolina, healthcare providers are required to obtain permission from the Department of Health and Human Services before offering new institutional health services.
Fayetteville medical school takes visible step forward

1 week ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Tuesday was a big day in Fayetteville when workers with Rodgers Builders held a topping-off ceremony for the Methodist University Cape Fear Valley Health School of Medicine, set to open in 2026. The ceremonial “final beam” covered in signatures — and measuring 27 feet long by 24 inches tall, and weighing 1,500 pounds — was hoisted in place atop the $60 million facility. Doctors, nurses, faculty and staff were joined by community leaders to witness the symbolic turning point of the project.
NET Power fires president and CFO

1 week ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Durham-based NET Power has fired President and Chief Operating Officer Brian Allen and Akash Patel, its chief financial officer, according to an SEC filing on Tuesday. CEO Danny Rice will serve as president and interim chief financial officer and Marc Horstman as chief operating officer. NET Power shares closed Tuesday at $2.26, near its all-time low after trading as high as $14.27 in the past year. Shares are down more than 77% in the past year.
Cone Health seeks to build $275 million, 46-bed hospital in Mebane

1 week ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Cone Health will ask the state’s permission to build a full-service, 46-bed hospital in Mebane. If the state approves Cone Health’s plan, Cone Health Mebane Hospital would represent an investment of $275 million and could be completed in late 2028 and open in 2029.
Chicago-based Asian food company creating 88 jobs in Forest City

1 week ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Chicago-based Asian food company Wow Bao will open its first company-operated manufacturing facility with a $6.45 million investment in the Rutherford County town of Forest City, about 60 miles west of Charlotte. The manufacturing site is expected to create 88 jobs with an average annual wage of $49,648, exceeding the Rutherford County average of $46,673.
Belmont's Piedmont Lithium getting new name

2 weeks ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Belmont-based Piedmont Lithium, which wants to open a lithium mine in northwest Gaston County, will change its name to Elevra Lithium after its merger with Sayona Mining in mid 2025, according to an SEC report filed Thursday. After the merger, Piedmont Lithium CEO Keith Phillips will retire as CEO and director of Piedmont and will become an advisor to Elevra Lithium. Each company also put up four nominees to serve on the new company’s board. Piedmont put up Dawne Hickton as chair.
Fomer textile mill gets new life in Gaston County own

2 weeks ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

A long-vacant textile mill in Bessemer City now has 139 apartments to rent following a $36 million redevelopment. Construction on the Lofts at Osage Mill started in early 2023 and its redevelopers held a grand opening event Wednesday. Some residents have already moved in, and developer WinnCompanies expects half of the affordable housing apartments to be leased by the end of April.
Charlotte-based Maya Hotels makes $10.2 million purchase in Gastonia

3 weeks ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Charlotte-based Maya Hotels has added an 11th hotel to its portfolio with a $10.2 million purchase of the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Gastonia, about 15 miles west of Charlotte. Maya Hotels now owns three hotels in Gaston County, two in Gastonia and one in Mount Holly. The family-owned company has three other hotels in Mooresville, two in Charlotte, two in Columbia and one in Fort Mill, South Carolina. “We’re thrilled to acquire this hotel and continue our investment in Gaston County.
Charlotte's Novolex completes $6.7 billion acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen

3 weeks ago | businessnc.com | Kevin Ellis

Packaging company Novolex has completed its $6.7 billion acquisition of Illinois-based Pactiv Evergreen in an all-cash deal signed in December. The food, beverage and packaging products company will be headquartered in Charlotte, the company said. Novolex has more than 100 locations and 20,000 employees, mostly in the U.S., but also in Mexico, Canada and Europe.