Minority Business Council will meet Tuesday

SALISBURY — The Salisbury Minority Business Council will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Antavia Cherry, a licensed cosmetologist and salon owner, will speak on “Goal Setting and Entrepreneurship.” The meeting will be at the Gateway Building, 204 E. Innes St.

Cherry is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked in education and human services for many years, striving to improve the lives of young people and families.

While teaching, she participated in a hair and beauty competition and won first place. She received a full scholarship to cosmetology school.

Cherry also is a wardrobe stylist and beauty director for several fashion and community programs.

Culver’s is coming to Salisbury

PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis.– Culver’s restaurants will soon break ground in Salisbury.

“We’re excited to bring Culver’s warm hospitality and high-quality meals and treats to Salisbury,” said owner and operator Corey Antonicci. “This is an outstanding community, and we’re excited to become an active part of it.”

Antonicci will soon be relocating to Salisbury.

“Culver’s always gives back to the communities they serve,” Antonicci added. “This includes supporting organizations like the National FFA organization.”

Culver’s of Salisbury plans to break ground at 730 Jake Alexander Blvd. S. in July with an anticipated opening in late 2019. The restaurant will have dine-in seating, a drive-thru and takeout service. After ordering at the front counter, guests will seat themselves while their food is cooked to order and delivered to their tables.

The restaurant is known for butter burgers and fresh frozen custard.

Concord-Padgett Regional Airport earns recognition

CONCORD — Concord-Padgett Regional Airport has been certified as the 174th IS-BAH Stage 1 registered airport and second fixed-based operator in North Carolina.

The International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) is a set of global industry best practices for business aviation ground handlers. The practices are the core of a safety management system.

Concord Airport started the process in August 2017, taking 21 months to achieve the certification. A team focused on upgrading equipment, the safety program, procedure manuals and employee training.

“The city of Concord Aviation Department has always been a leader in aviation safety,” said Aviation Director Dirk Vanderleest.  “Safety is paramount, and IS-BAH reinforces a safety culture for our team members who hope to continue growing in that environment on the path to a Stage II certificate over the next two years.”

Communication is one of the core values of the IS-BAH program and part of the Stage II process. The airport encourages tenants and visitors to report safety and security problems to the aviation staff.

Concord-Padgett Regional Airport opened in 1994 with a general aviation terminal and a 5,500-foot runway. It has grown to be one of the busiest airports in the Carolinas. Over the past 25 years, improvements include extending the runway to 7,400 feet and multiple strengthening projects, development of private-sector investment in and around the airport, and construction of a commercial service terminal and parking deck.

Massage and bodywork therapist completes master training

SALISBURY — Travis Alligood, a local massage and bodywork therapist and owner of Therapeutic Touch LLC, traveled to from Kansas City, Missouri, recently where he completed the requirements for the level of master myoskeletal therapist.

Obtaining the master level involves more than 210 hours of study both online and live training in topics such as upper and lower body mechanics, posture and performance. Only a select few massage therapists worldwide have achieved this certification, and Alligood is the first in North Carolina, according to www.erikdalton.com.

Myoskeletal alignment was originated by Erik Dalton, who recognized that physical pain is connected to the nervous system and set out to design a comprehensive, holistic approach to address such pain.

Alligood operates an office at the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA on Jake Alexander Boulevard as well as at Salisbury Therapeutic Massage at 120 E. Council St. He can be reached by 704-213-6059 or online at www.therapeutictouchllcmassageandbodywork.com

Trinity Oaks wins Leading Age award for St. John’s collaboration

SALISBURY — Trinity Oaks health and rehab recently received the Leading Age North Carolina Excellence in Collaboration Award.

Trinity Oaks is one of 18 other award winners statewide recognized for excellence in advocacy, innovation, leadership, collaboration, governance, and service in the field of aging services.

The award acknowledges the EngAGE Together program, which pairs preschoolers from St. John’s Child Development Center with residents of Trinity Oaks health and rehab for fun activities — including noodle ball, crafts, singing and dancing.

This year’s awards were presented during LeadingAge, an annual conference held May 8 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

“The EngAGE Together partnership that Trinity Oaks has forged with St. John’s Child Development Center has fostered intergenerational relationships that bring joy to everyone involved,” said Lutheran Services Carolinas President Ted Goins. “We are proud of the many ways that Trinity Oaks reaches out to the community to help residents stay engaged and connected.”

Novant Health boosts North Carolina economy by $9 billion 

WINSTON-SALEM — Novant Health generated more than $9 billion of economic activity in the state in 2018, according to a recent economic impact analysis commissioned by Novant Health and conducted by FTI Consulting’s Center for Healthcare Economics and Policy.

“Novant Health has significantly invested in the state of North Carolina for more than 20 years by offering quality health care services, products and community outreach programs to state residents and businesses,” said Carl S. Armato, president and CEO of Novant. “We are proud that our mission to improve the health of our communities, one person at a time, includes a focus on the economic vitality in the areas we serve.”

Novant Health has 12 medical centers, nine outpatient surgery centers, 26 diagnostic imaging centers, eight outpatient rehabilitation centers and more than 530 physician clinics in the state.

“While the pace of change continues in state and federal regulations, Novant Health remains dedicated to investing in North Carolina’s economy,” said Fred M. Hargett, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Novant. “We have taken great strides to increase access to care for all patients through convenient locations and our investment in digital products and new technologies.”

The economic impact was measured using data provided by Novant Health for net operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits, and capital expenditures for construction at all Novant facilities in the state.

May home sales rose 15.2% compared to last month

CHARLOTTE – As the prime selling season ramps up across the Charlotte region, May home sales remained positive, rising 0.5% over sales in May 2018, with 4,864 homes sold in May 2019 compared with 4,841 homes sold last May, according to Charlotte Regional Realtor Association.

Compared to April 2019, sales were up 15.2%.

Pending sales counts, which gauge buyer demand and future sales, rose 17.3% compared to May 2018 and rose 5.7% compared to April. Pending sales have been strong in the Charlotte region dating back to May 2014.

Prices continued to increase throughout the 16-county region with both the average sales price of $309,859 and the median sales price of $259,900 rising 3.4% and 5.7%, respectively.

“We’re pleased to see that year-to-date sales remain positive and show we are still a healthy market,” said Brenda Hayden, president of the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association/CarolinaMLS. “Our showings report continues to show buyers are willing to expand their home searches into the surrounding counties, with Kannapolis (10.4 showings per listing) and Concord (9.6 showings per listing) leading the way. The showing activity in combination with strong pending sales activity shows buyer interest has not waned in our region.”