Local News
Email
Print
Regional Briefs: Rebate plan on appliances will likely use stimulus money
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 17, 2009
RALEIGH -- Consumers in North Carolina could get a break next year on the purchase of certain energy-efficient appliances, thanks to federal stimulus money.
The N.C. Energy Office has proposed spending nearly $9 million in recovery money to give 15 percent rebates to people who buy Energy Star-rated appliances during four days in April.
The rebate would reduce the price at the cash register on refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dishwashers.
John Morrison, an assistant state commerce secretary, said that the rebate also would help cut power bills by getting rid of older appliances.
The U.S. Energy Department now must sign off on the idea, which it is expected to do.
The rebate is separate from an annual sales-tax holiday weekend on Energy Star products that begins Nov. 6.
Cottage gets no-interest loan
A residential cottage at the Children's Home in Winston-Salem has received a $1.1 million, no-interest construction loan from State Employees' Credit Union Foundation, the credit union said yesterday.
The Reynolds Cottage, also known as My Aunt's House, is at 1001 Reynolda Road and serves pregnant girls and teenage mothers.
It will be renovated, creating six one-bedroom suites, two efficiency apartments and common areas for residents, including a kitchen, dining area, living and recreation rooms, and laundry areas.
The credit union has been joined by the N.C. Housing Finance Agency on the project.
"It is great to see a well-constructed 100-plus-year-old building renovated for such a wonderful purpose," said John Roberts, a senior vice president of the credit union's branch on Stratford Road.
Foundation hopeful on investment
RALEIGH -- The Golden LEAF Foundation, which manages half of the money North Carolina gets from settling a national cigarette lawsuit, is optimistic after investing in a venture-capital fund.
The foundation has nearly broken even on 20 percent of a $25 million investment in a fund run by Hatteras Venture Partners.
Officials are waiting to see how the remaining 80 percent of the investment will do.
The fund invests in young companies, and the payoff comes when the company is sold or goes public.
Investments in 13 companies haven't been cashed in yet.
Golden LEAF puts investment profits back into its $580 million endowment, which is used to promote economic development in the state's distressed regions.
Program's name changes at Baptist
The Program for Complementary and Integrative Medicine at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center has been renamed the Center for Integrative Medicine.
The medical center said yesterday that the name change reflects "the program's growth and increasing significance" at the center.
Its purpose is emphasizing "wellness and healing of the whole person, with special emphasis on patient participation, and attention to mental and spiritual health."
The program began in 2005 under the direction of Dr. Kathi Kemper, a professor of pediatrics, social sciences and health policy, and family and community medicine.
Kemper is also the Guth Chair for Integrative Medicine.
Wake Forest Baptist was one of the first 35 academic health centers in North America to be accepted into the consortium.
The center has more than 80 faculty members and administrators.
It has five main areas of activity: research, education, clinical care, leadership development and community outreach.
Email
Print
