GREENSBORO, N.C. -- As communities begin to recover from Hurricane Florence, more help is on the way. Triad businesses are stepping up to help North Carolina communities devastated by the Category 1 storm.
Ollie Chandhock is the President and Publisher of the Triad Business Journal. Chandhock says several Triad-based companies are making large financial donations.
"Companies like BB&T, United Healthcare, Wells Fargo, they're chipping in big time to support not only the Triad, but to support the eastern part of our state and the recovery statewide," said Chandhock.
Hurricane Florence caused substantial damage to major interstates used to transport goods around the state. While most storms focus on one region; Florence impacted most river systems from the coast to the Piedmont.
The state is rallying behind Raleigh in the city's efforts to land Amazon's second headquarters. Raleigh is one of the twenty finalists and according to the Triad Business Journal, city leaders should expect an announcement from the company after the November midterm elections.
"They've set a timeline to have this thing ready and complete by the end of 2019. In order to do that, they have to hit the gas a little bit. Everybody's expecting the announcement to happen sometime around Thanksgiving," said Chandhock.
Amazon's HQ2 would bring 50,000 employees and a huge economic boost to the city the company selects for its new location. Chandhock says the city who wins the economic development prize will have to be ready to accommodate an influx of people and business.
And The Triad Business Journal is moving into a new space as it begins its third decade in operation. Chandhock says in January, the company will cross the street about 50 yards and begin publishing from the ground floor of a building at Market and Elm Streets in Downtown Greensboro.
"It's a real cool place, all glass, right on the street. It's part of our goal to be more visible and be more part of a thriving downtown in Greensboro," said Chandhock.
People will be able to walk up to the ground level office suite and see staff working. Other hi-tech features include a fitness center with digital lockers and charging chords for smartphones. There's also a state of the art conference room, kitchen and even a sound-proof tranquility room in the common area. The space can be used for video-conferencing if needed, but also offers space to relax.