Charlotte News Stories

Growing NC Industry Triggers, Supports Biotechnology Center Expansion

2009-09-09T06:02:00.001-07:00

North Carolina's Growing Biotechnology Industry
Drives Need for New Programs and Space

Biotechnology Center addition will support statewide growth

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Sept. 9, 2009 – To continue the state
life science industry's record-setting growth rate, the North Carolina
Biotechnology Center, with the help of statewide partners, is building
an addition to its Research Triangle Park headquarters.

Construction on the $10.4 million addition, planned for several years,
was kick-started with a $1 million gift from the Biogen Idec
Foundation's Transformational Grants in Science Education initiative,
and with leadership gifts from the Duke Energy Foundation, PPD and the
Triangle University Center for Advanced Studies Inc.

"For twenty-five years, the state has invested in biotechnology
research, education and business development through Biotechnology
Center funding programs and collaborations," said Robert A. Ingram,
Vice Chairman, Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline and chairman of the
Center's Building Committee.

"Leadership by the Center created a thriving industry with broader
needs, and we are pleased to move forward with building the
infrastructure to allow the Center to extend that leadership."

From 2001 to 2006, the state's biotechnology-based industry grew 18.6
percent – three times the national rate and five times the rate of the
state's private sector.

"This industry contributes $45.8 billion to the state's economy each
year, a testament to the investment this Center leverages with state
dollars," said Arthur M. Pappas, chairman of the Center's board of
directors and managing partner of the venture-capital firm Pappas
Ventures.

"Investing in expansion now is essential for the state to benefit from
the projected high growth in life science research, development and
job creation over the next 10 years."

Since the Biotechnology Center opened in 1984, the industry has grown
from a handful of companies to more than 520 companies and almost
60,000 jobs with an average salary of more than $69,000.

"We have the potential to create an additional 65,000 to 70,000 jobs
by 2020 as we develop new applications of biotechnology right here in
North Carolina," said E. Norris Tolson, president and chief executive
officer of the Center.

The addition will support a number of new job-creation initiatives in
biotechnology leadership, entrepreneurship, K-12 education, workforce
training, business development and university research programs. In
addition, the expanded facility will continue to play host to an
estimated 35,000 visitors annually.

The Center through its building committee chaired by Ingram and co-
chaired by former Gov. Jim Martin is working to leverage the public
and private funds for the expansion. Gifts to initiate the project
came from:

• The Biogen Idec Foundation, whose mission is to improve the quality
of people's lives and contribute to the vitality of the communities
where Biogen Idec operates. It places a special emphasis on innovative
ways to promote science literacy and encourage young people to
consider science careers. Biogen Idec is a global biotechnology firm
with manufacturing and patient services operations in RTP;
• The Duke Energy Foundation, which supports community vitality, the
environment and energy efficiency, and economic development. Duke
Energy and the Center partner on business-development efforts;
• PPD, a leading global contract research organization with more than
10,000 employees, including 1,400 in Research Triangle Park and 1,500
at its corporate headquarters in Wilmington. The companyprovides
discovery, development and post-approval services as well as compound
partnering programs; and
• The Triangle University Center for Advanced Studies Inc. (TUCASI),
which owns the land in Research Triangle Park that is home to the
Center's headquarters and other institutes that promote Triangle
university collaboration. TUCASI brings together the scientific minds
at the heart of RTP's success.

Construction of the four-story addition is being managed by general
contractor SKANSKA, which expects to employ as many as 200 people in
the project. The 20,000-square-foot building will be completed in the
fall of 2010.

Charlotte architectural firm Perkins + Will, which designed the
original building, created the plans for the addition. The expansion
will carry a LEED Silver designation for excellence in sustainable
design.

The Biotechnology Center is a private, non-profit corporation
supported by the N.C. General Assembly. Its mission is to provide long-
term economic and societal benefits to North Carolina by supporting
biotechnology research, business, education and strategic policy
statewide.

Camp Bow Wow Concord is celebrating its Grand Opening with a Dog-Gone-Wild Hoedown

2009-09-08T13:24:00.001-07:00

Concord, NC: Calling all canines! It's time to unleash your inner pup
for a howling good time!

Camp Bow Wow, the area's Premier Doggy Day and Overnight Camp, is
celebrating its Grand Opening at 8010 Myint Lane in Concord, on
Saturday, September 19, from 10am to 3pm. Friends and neighbors are
invited to check out the state-of-the-art doggy digs and enjoy an
afternoon of old-fashioned fun. Admission is free.

"We're looking forward to a fun day at camp with our four- and two-
legged friends," says Cassie Scofield, co-owner and leader-of-the-pack
at Camp Bow Wow Concord. "We want everyone to see what has so many
tails wagging in Concord. Our campers love our all-day-play
environment, and their guardians do, too. It allows dogs the freedom
to exercise and socialize, which to us, is a much healthier way for
them to spend their time away from home."

Complimentary cowboy hats will be given to the first 50 Grand Opening
guests, and DJ Geoff Knight from 96.9 the KAT will broadcast live from
11am to 1pm. Woof-tastic vendors include Dr. Rick Beldegreen of Stoney
Creek Animal Hospital, who'll be doing a $10 micro-chip identification
clinic and pet food drive to benefit Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal
Control; discuss the latest trends in doggy-do's with A Fancy Pup Pet
Grooming; get the scoop on canine nutrition with Complete Petmart;
commission a pup-trait by Kish Pet and Family Photography; or have a
caricature done by artist Eric Melton (15% of the proceeds will
benefit the Humane Society of Concord). Representatives from Sundance
Stables, Allen Tate and Kitty City also will be on hand. For those
looking for a pup-mate, the Great Dane Rescue and Kreitzer Puppy
Rescue organizations will have dogs of all sizes available for adoption.

Puppy parents are invited to tour the facility, enjoy free food and
enter to win camp giveaways every 30 minutes. A Kidz Corner will keep
children entertained with coloring contests and temporary tattoos.
Canine contests like best trick, best costume and a bobbing for hot
dogs relay will take place between 11:30 am and 1:45 pm. Pups who have
already passed their Camp Bow Wow interview will be invited to romp in
the play yards during the event. Pups that haven't had an interview
will be required to remain leashed outside. Anyone who schedules their
dog's free interview and trial day will receive complimentary camp
goodies!

For more information about the Grand Opening Hoedown at Camp Bow Wow
Concord on Saturday, September 19, or to make a reservation for a free
interview day at camp, call 704.260.0055 or visit www.campbowwow.com/concord
.

About Camp Bow Wow
Where a dog can be a dog®

Camp Bow Wow is the Premier Doggy and Overnight Camp in North America.
Although every state-of-the-art Camp Bow Wow facility is as unique as
its owner, all provide welcoming environments designed with the
amenities needed to ensure that the dogs in their care have the
exercise, socialization and nurturing they need to maintain their
health and happiness. Pups are encouraged to play and romp with each
other in the camp's large outdoor and climate-controlled indoor play
yards. Overnight guests are assigned to a spacious, private cabin
furnished with a comfy cot and fleece blanket. Camp Bow Wow's pricing
is all-inclusive.

Campers at Camp Bow Wow are supervised by a staff of Certified Camp
Counselors® trained in dog behavior, safety and health management. To
ensure the happiness and safety of all campers, the camps are staffed
with 1 counselor for every 10 campers at all times. Proud parents can
look in on their campers by logging onto Camp Bow Wow Concord's
website to watch the real-time activities in the play yards broadcast
by one of the many live Camper Cams® installed around camp. All
campers are required to participate in a free interview day before
they can attend camp. Plus, dogs must be neutered or spayed if six
months or older, up-to-date on their Rabies and Distemper
vaccinations, and have had a Bordetella vaccination within the last
six months.

NEWS: Scholarship for breast cancer patients in N.C

2009-09-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX – NORTH CAROLINA ANNOUNCES
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Full tuition scholarships will be awarded to two North Carolinians
affected by the disease

WHAT: To raise breast cancer awareness and assist individuals and
families in North Carolina who have been affected by this
disease,University of Phoenix – North Carolina is accepting
applications for its Breast Cancer Awareness Scholarship.

Breast cancer patients and survivors or immediate relatives of a
breast cancer patient or survivor who would like to pursue their
dreams of higher education are encouraged to apply.

For the second year in a row, the Charlotte and
Raleigh campuses will award two full-tuition scholarships to attend
University ofPhoenix to individuals who have struggled with breast
cancer diagnosis. Recipients will be able to select the degree of
their choice and can attend classes either on campus or online.

In addition to this scholarship program, faculty,
staff and student volunteers at University of Phoenix in North
Carolina recently raised $40,000 for the American Cancer Society
Making Strides Again Breast Cancer walk. Additional fundraising
efforts are currently being conducted at the campuses.

Additional scholarships under the Breast Cancer Awareness Scholarship
Program will be available in South Carolina and Puerto Rico

WHERE: The scholarship program is available to residents living in
Charlotte, Raleigh and surrounding cities, including
Greensboro,Asheville, Durham and Fayetteville. Application forms are
available at www.phoenix.edu/scholarships. Completed application forms
should be mailed to:

University of Phoenix – Charlotte
Attn: Stephanie Fowler
3800 Arco Corporate Drive, Ste. 100
Charlotte, NC 28273

WHEN: Scholarship applications must be submitted from Sept. 1
through the conclusion of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month on
Oct. 31. Recipients of the scholarships will be notified the following
month.

WHO: For more than 30 years nationwide, University of Phoenix
has removed barriers to education for working professionals by
providing accessible scheduling and rigorous degree programs to
develop the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their
professional goals, improve the productivity of their organizations,
and provide leadership and service to their communities.