Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force released its long awaited report on how to improve economic mobility for the city's poor which included concrete recommendations for affordable housing. Among the recommendations are a three fold increase in affordable housing bonds and to explore more tax incentives.

A global health care company and a wood products supplier are expanding their manufacturing operations in McDowell County and plan to create 118 new jobs. A performance-based grant of $1 million from the One North Carolina Fund will support Baxter's expansion in McDowell County.

Ground has been broken in downtown Rocky Mount for the construction of a new community sports complex. The 160,000 square foot facility costs $36.5 million, and will be financed through bonds, new market tax credits, and a property tax hike.

Leading U.S. faucet maker Moen Incorporated will be investing $15 million in expanding its distribution facility in Kinston, North Carolina, creating 35 new jobs there over the next five years. The Kinston expansion is supported by a performance-based grant of up to $450,000 from Lenoir County.

Legislation that would make major changes to state energy policy, including sweeping revisions to solar energy regulations, is taking shape and could be introduced soon in NC. Changes could include approval of third-party energy sales and streamlined permitting for solar projects. Under current rules, only utilities can directly sell energy in North Carolina.

Alevo is launching a major expansion at its facility in Cabarrus County, creating more than 200 jobs in North Carolina over the next five years. The company plans to invest $251 million at its production operations in Concord. A state Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) is supporting the Alevo expansion. Under the JDIG terms, the company is eligible to receive up to $2,638,000 in total reimbursements.

Concern over income inequality and lack of job opportunities — heightened by protests last year after a fatal police shooting of an African-American man — could lead to changes in economic incentives by city government. On Monday afternoon, the city economic development committee began discussions about a range of possible changes and additions to the current incentives guidelines.

The second season of the TNT series "Good Behavior," the independent film "American Animals" and a national Audi commercial are receiving state grants to support their filming in North Carolina.

This course will consider how incentives are being used in today's economic environment and outline steps that are being taken to reduce risk and achieve better outcomes. In particular, this course will address the characteristics of well-designed incentive programs and processes to ensure meaningful impact, value, and accountability.

This course brings TIF deal-making and best practices into focus through a two-day program targeting the entire TIF community including economic developers, public agency representatives, bond issuers, legal professionals, developers, financial advisors, and other stakeholders.