Archive News Briefs:
A sampling of the past two months' news briefs.
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12-2003: Teer Technical Park Name Change
Teer Technical Park will soon be called the North Carolina Center for Biomanufacturing, due to its tenant mix of researchers and developers. BioMerieux recently expanded into an additional 20,000 square feet of space at the park, and KBI BioPharma, Inc. has moved into new space there.
 
12-2003: RBC Centura Considers Raleigh
RBC Centura is considering Raleigh for a relocation of its headquarters, currently located in Rocky Mount. If RBC Centura does relocate to Raleigh, they would construct an 120,000 square-foot office building to house at least 500 employees. A final decision has not yet been made.
 
12-2003: New Stores Named for SouthPark
When the Nordstrom wing of SouthPark Mall opens in March, several new retailers will move in, as well. Louis Vuitton (3,300 square feet), Sigrid Olsen (2,000 square feet), Kate Spade (1,400 square feet), Burberry (4,800 square feet), Tommy Bahama (4,000 square feet), and St. John (5,600 square feet), will all occupy space in the new section of the mall.
 
11-2003: Fresenius Kabi cuts 62 jobs in Clayton
A Clayton manufacturer, Fresenius Kabi, will be downsizing and cutting 62 workers at its plant. The workers will be let go within the next two months, leaving 44 workers at the Johnston County plant.
 
11-2003: Raleigh Police Department moves
The Raleigh Police Department will be relocating from 6,900 square feet at Town Ridge Shopping Center to 11,000 square feet at 8016 Glenwood Avenue, the Keystone Systems Building. The lease was signed for seven years and the move will occur by December 31, 2003.
 
11-2003: Unemployment rate drops in October
The North Carolina unemployment rate was 6.1% in October, as reported by the N.C. Employment Security Commission. The rate has decreased from the 6.4% reported in September, and is also the lowest that has been reported in the last six months.
 
10-2003: Keith Corp. To Build Spec Warehouse
The Keith Corporation has broken ground on a 60,650-square-foot speculative warehouse building, located in the Lincoln County Industrial Park. The $2.1 million building will be the first of a possible three buildings at the site, which is located off Lincoln County Parkway at Finger Mill Road. The first building is located on a 9-acre site located off Cataler Drive overlooking US Highway 321 and will be expandable to more that 100,000 square feet if needed. The additional speculative buildings, which will total 60,000 and 110,000 square feet, will be developed after leasing has been completed on the first building.
 
10-2003: Matthews Professional Center Underway
Garry Smith and Terry Predzimirski have begun construction on Matthews Professional Center, a 46,000-square-foot office development off N.C. Highway 51 at Sam Newell Road. The $7.5 million for sale or lease development is being marketed by Charlotte Commercial Properties for $256 per square foot for sale or for $16.50 per square foot for lease. The park will contain 13 buildings when completed, ranging from 2,925 square feet to 3,825 square feet. Charlotte Commercial Properties has already sold one building to an undisclosed buyer.
 
10-2003: Keane Leases At Meridian Business Campus
Corporate Realty Advisors represented Keane, Inc. in the leasing of 21,719 square feet of office space at Meridian Business Campus, Building 2525. Don Shupe represented the building landlord, CMD Realty Investors.
 
09-2003: Pillowtex Files For Bankruptcy
Pillowtex, a textile manufacturer located in Kannapolis, filed for bankruptcy on July 30, 2003. The company let go of 6,450 employees, with the remaining 1,200 employees expected to be laid off by year-end.