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LABCORP® LAUNCHES INTEGRATED AND SEQUENTIAL PRENATAL SCREENING TECHNOLOGY FOR DOWN SYNDROME
More Sensitive Technology Improves Assessment of Down Syndrome Risk

Burlington, NC, October 25, 2007 - Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings (LabCorp®) (NYSE: LH), an industry leader in prenatal clinical laboratory testing, announced that it now offers Integrated screening and Sequential screening tests under license from Intema Limited. When Integrated screening and Sequential screening test results include a fetal ultrasound nuchal translucency
measurement, the highest Down syndrome detection rates are achieved and fewer false positives are experienced than with current first- or second-trimester screening.
            In January 2007, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a Practice Bulletin recommending that regardless of age, all pregnant women be offered screening for Down syndrome, and ideally, be offered screening that
combines first- and second-trimester screening. Subsequently, LabCorp announced an agreement with Intema, Ltd. to license its technology for combining first and second trimester Down syndrome screening test results.
            "LabCorp is pleased to be the first full-service, national clinical laboratory to license and make commercially available Integrated and Sequential Down syndrome screening technology,” said LabCorp's Executive Vice President, Chief Scientific Officer and Medical Director, Myla P. Lai-Goldman, M.D. "Adding these tools to our comprehensive menu of prenatal testing services will allow
physicians to offer patients a broader range of screening tests with higher detection rates and low false positive rates. This can help reduce the number of invasive tests needed and potentially reduce the number of procedure-related pregnancy losses."
About LabCorp®
Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings, a S&P 500 company, is a pioneer in commercializing new diagnostic technologies and the first in its industry to embrace genomic testing. With annual revenues of $3.6 billion in 2006, over 25,000 employees nationwide, and more than 220,000 clients, LabCorp offers clinical assays ranging from routine blood analyses to HIV and genomic testing.
LabCorp combines its expertise in innovative clinical testing technology with its Centers of Excellence: The Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Genetics Institute, Inc., ViroMed Laboratories, Inc., The Center for Esoteric Testing, DIANON Systems, Inc., US LABS, and Esoterix and its Colorado Coagulation, Endocrine Sciences, and Cytometry Associates laboratories. LabCorp
clients include physicians, government agencies, managed care organizations, hospitals, clinical labs, and pharmaceutical companies. To learn more about our organization, visit our Web site at: www.labcorp.com.
            Each of the above forward-looking statements is subject to change based on various important factors, including without limitation, competitive actions in the marketplace and adverse actions of governmental and other third-party payors. Actual results could differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. Further information on potential factors that could
affect LabCorp’s financial results is included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and subsequent SEC filings.

Bert Woodard, Next Level Communications ( www.nextlevelcom.net ), For Piedmont Triad Partnership ( www.piedmonttriadnc.com ), 336-978-0021, bert@nextlevelcom.net FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Investor/Media Contact: Eric Lindblom - 336-436-6739
Shareholder Direct: 800-LAB-0401
Company Information: www.labcorp.com

INNOVATION, COMMUNITY FOCUS LINK LATEST INDUCTEES

INTO THE NORTH CAROLINA BANKING HALL OF FAME

Oct. 23, 2007 - Pinehurst, NC - In ceremonies held in the tradition-laden Cardinal Ball Room at the Pinehurst Hotel in Pinehurst, North Carolina, five titans of the banking industry in North Carolina were formally inducted into the North Carolina Banking Hall of Fame.  Though each of the inductees had very different careers, two common threads emerged in the presentations leading up to each induction: all were innovators and all were deeply rooted in their own communities.

            The first to be honored was Mr. E. D. Gaskins, Sr., presented by his son, Ed Gaskins.  Gaskins was remembered for taking the reins of a small bank in Monroe and developing it into the statewide United Carolina Bank.  Monroe is the center of Union County.  Despite its proximity to Charlotte, one of the nation’s leading banking centers, Union County is an oasis of progress and development surrounded by counties displaying far less of either quality.  Much of this difference can be attributed to the commitment Gaskins showed to the developing businesses in his home county and his appreciation of the difference a bank can make in the capacity of its customers to improve their economic status.

            Tom Storrs, former chairman and CEO of NCNB, predecessor to Bank of America, was presented for induction into the Hall of Fame by his successor at the bank, Hugh McColl.  Among the dignitaries in the audience was current Bank of America chief, Ken Lewis.  McColl touted Storrs’ unwavering dedication to hiring and training as much young talent as the bank could recruit.  Storrs believed that the bank must grow rapidly and extensively to survive in the future and that such expansion would require depth of talent to manage the growth successfully.  McColl also credited his mentor with establishing a culture of fact based reasoning that is still the central facet of the decision-making process of the banking giant.  Both McColl and Lewis are products of the recruitment of young talent that Storrs espoused in the early 1960’s.

            John Medlin, retired Chairman and CEO of Wachovia Bank, presented the late Harlan Boyles, long-time State Treasurer of North Carolina, into the Hall of Fame.  Boyles, lovingly remembered as “The Keeper of the Public Purse,” in reference to the book of that name that he authored after his retirement, spent his entire career in public service.  After a short stint at the North Carolina Department of Revenue, he followed his mentor, Edwin Gill, to the Department of State Treasurer.  After 16 years as Chief Deputy for Gill Boyles, enjoyed an unmatched tenure of 24-years as Treasurer.  He is credited with helping establish the state’s triple A bond-rating which has been instrumental in enabling borrowing by the state and its municipalities at favorable rates.  Despite his many accomplishments, Boyles remained a humble man, answering his own phone whenever it rang.

            Rick Willetts, Chairman and CEO of Cooperative Bank, in Wilmington had the opportunity to put forth his father, Frederick Willetts, Jr., for induction.  Rick, who is in the queue to become Chairman of the new American Bankers Association following its merger with America’s Community Bankers, remembered his father’s dedication to his hometown of Wilmington and his generosity that needed no recognition.  He noted Fred’s willingness to chart a new course.  As an example, he recalled that under his father’s leadership, Cooperative Savings was the first thrift to branch in North Carolina…before any regulations existed for doing so.

            The fifth member of the 2007 class (inductions occur every three years), is William G. White, Jr., who guided First Federal of Winston-Salem for decades.  For most of that time, recognizing the need of the thrift industry to increase capital, he fought for authorization for federally chartered savings institutions to convert to the stock form of ownership.  He successfully accomplished such a conversion for First Federal and guided its growth until its eventual acquisition by BB&T.  Throughout his career, he has been a leader in many community undertakings and was especially active with the YMCA.  Since his retirement, he has pioneered the establishment of the Y Program in the former Soviet Union and in Ukraine. Mr. White was honored, additionally, by his friends and former business associates with a $75,000 North Carolina Bankers Association scholarship which will carry his name.

            These inductees bring to 15 the total membership in the Banking Hall of Fame.  They represent community banks, major national banks, thrift institutions and public service.  They helped lay the foundation for the metamorphosis that has turned North Carolina into one of the leading financial services centers in the nation.

P.O. BOX 19999/RALEIGH, NC 27619-1999

(919) 781-7979/FAX (919) 881-9909

TOLL FREE: (800) 662-7044

For More Information Contact:

Sam Atkins, sam@ncbankers.org

 

“Johnny Guitar the Musical” Coming to Shelby October 26

Oct. 23, 2007 – Shelby, NC - Greater Shelby Community Theatre and Cleveland Community College SGA present Johnny Guitar the Musical.  Based on the 1954 film starring Joan Crawford, Johnny Guitar brings a rousing original score with the sounds of the 1950's lounge, western, and rock & roll music to the cult classic.  Set in a small town in the New Mexico mountains circa 1865, the musical centers on Vienna, played by Julie Burton,  a sultry saloon keeper who built a booming business on her back.  Though Vienna is the ultimate "bad girl gone good," her nemesis, the pent-up Emma, played by Karen Lattimore sees things differently.  A domineering cattle baroness, Emma controls the town with an iron fist but loses her grip when she falls for the dangerously hot-headed Dancin' Kid.  By the time Johnny Guitar,played by Frank Lattimore,  a tall stranger with a secret past rolls into town, the stage is set for a showdown. Show times and dates are October 26&27, November 2&3 at 7:30 pm and October 28 and November 4 at 2:30pm.  Performances take place in the Mildred Keeter Auditorium  on the campus of Cleveland Community College in Shelby, NC.  For more information or group rates email Sean@gsct.org or see the website www.gsct.org.

Wet Lab LaunchPad Construction Kickoff to be Held

Oct 3. 2007 – Winston-Salem, N.C. -- A landmark project for the Piedmont Triad Research Park (PTRP) will officially get under way Monday morning, Oct. 1, with the kickoff of the construction of the Wet Lab LaunchPad in the new Richard H. Dean Biomedical Research Building.

            The Wet Lab LaunchPad provides affordable laboratory space for start-up biotechnology firms. The space is on the first floor of the Dean Building and will include three separate labs and accompanying office space.

            "This is the kind of space that small, young biotech companies desperately need to be able to develop their products," said Randal Pool, chairman of the Wet Lab LaunchPad Concept Team. "But most of those companies can't afford to pay for that kind of space and still be able to compete in their market.This low-cost lab space can give them a good starting point."

            Bill Dean of the Piedmont Triad Research Park said, "This lab space truly reflects both the mission and direction for the research park. One of our best hopes for the future lies with small companies with great ideas, who just need a boost getting off the ground. We have every hope that as these companies grow, they can expand into other space in the research park."

            Work on the Wet Lab LaunchPad concept began in 2005. At the request of Gwyn Riddick, regional director of the Piedmont Triad office of the N.C. Biotechnology Center, Pool, who is managing principal of Stantec Consulting, headed up the Wet Lab Concept Team and began to recruit builders and  suppliers to help upfit the proposed space. Kirkland, Inc., of High Point, represented by vice president Doug Dreyer, agreed to provide general contracting management, in consultation with Tom Ingram of Wake Forest University Health Sciences, project manager at the research park.

            Dean, Pool and Ingram continued to raise funds for the project, with a major contribution coming from Wake Forest University Health Sciences.

            "This is a very important project for the future of our technology-based economy in the Triad," Riddick said. "But more than that, this Wet Lab LaunchPad is extremely significant because of the great collaborative effort that it represents."

            In a community-wide effort, the City of Winston-Salem also played an important role in providing leadership and necessary funding to complete the project. About two dozen other companies have also contributed funding or services to the project. 

            Members of this Delivery Team include: the contributions of all of these companies will make it possible to lease this space at a rate that these small science companies can afford," said Dean. "This group includes businesses from across the Triad. They know how important this project, and the whole PTRP concept is to the viability of our economic future."

            The Wet Lab LaunchPad is expected to be completed around the first of December. The kickoff will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1, at the Dean Building, formerly Biomedical Research Facility A1, at 391Technology Way.

 

About Piedmont Triad Research Park (www.ptrp.com)

Piedmont Triad Research Park (PTRP) is a place where innovation lives. PTRP is a highly interactive, master-planned urban-based park located in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C., that provides office and laboratory facilities to biomedical and information technology tenants. Currently the PTRP community encompasses six buildings, providing over 554,000 square feet of wet lab, office, meeting and residential space, and is home to 15 life science, 11 information technology and eight business services tenants.  Collectively these  35 tenants employ 890 university and corporate personnel. PTRP expansion, led by Wake Forest University Health Sciences, is under way to create a total 5.7 million gross square feet of mixed-use research park space, reclaiming 230 acres of the city's downtown area over the next 20-30 years.

                About Wake Forest University Health Sciences WFUHS operates the university™ School of Medicine and its other related enterprises including the Piedmont Triad Research Park. The Medical School is  ranked fourth in the Southeast in revenues from its licensed intellectual property.  Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston.Salem,  NC 27157 United States.

Media contacts: Mark Wright, (336) 716-3382, mwright@wfubmc.edu, or Nancy

Johnston, (336) 716-8508, nvjohnst@wfubmc.edu

From: Bert Woodard, Next Level Communications (www.nextlevelcom.net), For Piedmont Triad Partnership (www.piedmonttriadnc.com), 336-978-0021, bert@nextlevelcom.net

 North Carolina Bankers Association Business Barometer

 “The Economy Will Dodge a Recession”

The key for economic growth continues to be employment growth which is the biggest driver for consumer spending.  Job growth for the year averaged 148,000 a month till the 4,000 decline for the month of August.  Jobless claims in September have been falling suggesting job growth.  The unemployment rate is 4.6% which is well under the average rate of the past 20 years of 5.5 percent.  Employment growth is slowing but is still strong enough to support spending.  Consumer spending accounts for about 67% of the U.S. Economy and it actually increased in August by the largest amount since October of 2006.  

 Another plus for consumers is the increase in household net worth to a new record level of $57.9 trillion at the end of the 2nd quarter of this year.  Most of the increase was attributable to increases in the value of stocks and bonds.   Housing contributed very little to net worth and will be a drag on the number for the rest of this year and into next. 

 A major plus for the economy so far in this expansion has been corporate profits.  Corporate profit growth has declined from the double digit rates of 2006 but has remained strong.  For the third and fourth quarters of this year we will see a further slowing of profit growth down to the 2-4% level.  The Federal Reserve (FED) will cut rates to 4.25% by the 1st quarter of 2008.  Corporate profit growth, household income growth, additional FED action, and the level of household wealth will grow real consumer spending in the range of 3% which will keep the economy growing about 2.25% for the rest of the year.    

  The manufacturing sector of the economy is doing better than most economists projected.  The ISM Purchasing Managers Index has been above the important level of 50 for the past 7 months and 46 out of the last 48 months.  The credit crunch and problems in the global markets do not appear to be slowing manufacturing activity.  Much of this strength is due to the value of the dollar being at record lows against the euro and other currencies and the resulting growth in exports.

 The housing sector continues to be a drag on the economy.  New home and existing home sales continue to fall.  Existing homes sales in August were at the slowest rate since the summer of 2002 and home prices are falling.  Inventories of unsold homes are at 16 year highs.  Housing will hit bottom by the end of the year.

 North Carolina has experienced rapid population growth in this decade.  Between 2000 and the summer of 2005, our increase was 7.88 percent while only 5.33% for the nation. Even with the huge increase in population our unemployment rate has dropped over the last two years to the present rate of 4.8 percent.  Total employment has increased about 175,000 since January 2006. 

North Carolina’s economy will continue to grow at about 2.25% for the remainder of the year or at about the same rate as the national economy.  We are adding jobs and our unemployment rate should remain near its present level. 

For More Information Contact:

Dr. Harry Davis

NCBA Economist and Professor of Banking

Appalachian State University

(828) 262-6245

davishm@appstate.edu

 

North Carolina Bankers Association 

P.O. BOX 19999/RALEIGH, NC 27619-1999

(919) 781-7979/FAX (919) 881-9909

TOLL FREE: (800) 662-7044

North Carolina Bankers Association Management Team Conference in Pinehurst, Oct. 14 – 16

Oct. 2, 2007 - RALEIGH, NC The North Carolina Bankers Association will hold its 2007 Management Team Conference in Pinehurst, October 14-16.

Speakers at this year’s Conference will include:

·         JOSEPH B. CHESHIRE V, Partner, Cheshire Parker Schneider Bryan & Vitale, Raleigh, who was one of the defense attorneys in the Duke lacrosse case. His speech is entitled, “Lessons Learned in the Duke Lacrosse Fiasco.”

·          COLONEL LAWRENCE B. WILKERSON, Harriman Visiting Professor of Government and Public Policy, Former Chief of Staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell, the College of William and Mary, who will discuss “Six High Priority Actions for the New President.”

·          GEORGE SCHLOEGEL, CEO, Hancock Bank, Gulfport, Mississippi, will discuss “What is Your Role in a Major Disaster.”

On Sunday, October 14, there will be a Hall of Fame Banquet where the third class of five recipients will be inducted into the N.C. Banking Hall of Fame. They are:

·         Harlan E. Boyles (deceased), North Carolina State Treasurer

Tribute by John G. Medlin, Jr.

·         E.D. Gaskins, Sr., American Bank & Trust, Monroe

Tribute by E. D. Gaskins, Jr.

·         Thomas I. Storrs, NCNB Corporation, Charlotte

Tribute by Hugh L. McColl, Jr.

·         William G. White, Jr., First Federal Savings & Loan, Winston-Salem,

Tribute by F. Ed Broadwell, Jr.

Frederick Willetts, Jr., (deceased) Cooperative Savings & Loan, Wilmington
Tribute by Frederick Willetts III

 

The press is invited to cover the conference. A staff room will be available for interviews. There may be some time allotted for questions and answers following the speeches. A media packet is available with an agenda and directions. Please advise if there are any specific needs.

The North Carolina Bankers Association brings together all categories of banking institutions to best represent the interests of this rapidly changing industry. With 151 members, it has served all North Carolina bankers since 1897, and can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.ncba.com.

Sam Atkins

Community Affairs Coordinator

NC Bankers Association

P.O. BOX 19999/RALEIGH, NC 27619-1999

(919) 781-7979/FAX (919) 881-9909

TOLL FREE: (800) 662-7044

Foothills Fresh Offers Family Friendly Farm Tours

Sept. 17, 2007 - Lincolnton, NC –   As cooler fall weather approaches, one of the best ways to celebrate the season is a leisurely tour of an area farm, sampling local sausage or roasted fall vegetables along the way.  By using the Foothills Fresh directory or website, the public can locate fresh produce or an agriculture tourism experience close to home that the entire family will enjoy.  North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Lincoln, Catawba, Cleveland, and Gaston counties is instrumental in this local food initiative, helping small farmers in the four-county area market their fresh produce, farm products and agricultural tourism. 

To celebrate the region’s fall flavors, Foothills Fresh will offer farm tours and special events Saturday, October 6, 2007, at the following farms in the area: Owl’s Eye Vineyard in Cleveland County; Apple Orchard Farm, Lineberger’s Maple Springs Farm, and Lewis Farm in Gaston County; Lincoln County Farmers Market at Denver and Grateful Growers Farm in Lincoln County; and Bird Brain Ostrich Ranch in Catawba County.

Events will be hosted on the farms and at the farmers market and include food sampling, cooking demonstrations, and farm tours.  Food safety and recipe information will be provided by North Carolina Cooperative Extension.  For information on events specific to each farm, check www.foothillsfresh.com, call the farm directly, or contact NC Cooperative Extension Service at 704-736-8461.   

For a directory of the forty-eight farms, markets, and agricultural tourism sites, and a list of featured autumn produce, other products and location and direction information, visit www.foothillsfresh.com, call a North Carolina Cooperative Extension Center in Lincoln, Catawba, Cleveland and Gaston counties or pick up a Foothills Fresh directory at a farmers’ market, farm, library or chamber of commerce office in any of these four counties. Cleveland County Farm Bureau is sponsoring the publication of the brochures this year.

            Like most “buy local” campaigns, Foothills Fresh touts the economic benefits to local communities by buying from neighbors. In addition to the economic pluses, Foothills Fresh helps the community preserve small family farms and the rural landscape. Foothills Fresh also encourages the public to increase their daily intake of fruits and vegetables and to sample the variety grown locally. Buying local produce assures a customer that the items are the freshest, most nutritious food.

For more information, contact Leigh Guth, North Carolina Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent, at (704) 736-8461.

                                               

CONTACT: Leigh Guth, NC Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent, Lincoln County, 704-736-8461 or leigh_guth@ncsu.edu

Gold Nugget Adventure Race Comes to Stanly County

Sept. 6, 2007 - Albemarle, NC - Bushwhack Adventures, Inc is pleased to announce that the second annual Gold Nugget Adventure Race will start and finish in Stanly County. This event will be held October 6th, 2007. Event headquarters will be located in Morrow Mountain State Park, but participants will be racing in both the state park and the nearby Uwharrie National Forest. Teams of racers are coming from as far away as Virginia, Georgia, and Ohio.
    The Gold Nugget Adventure Race is for teams of two or four racers. Teams will run, paddle, mountain bike, and use a map and compass to navigate their way through the course in search of checkpoints. Each checkpoint found is worth a certain number of points. The team who earns the most points and returns before the time cutoff wins. Teams use their own strategy for choosing which checkpoints to search for and how to get there. Along the way teams will be presented with special challenges in which they can earn more points. These might include a climbing tower, ropes course obstacles, a horseshoe toss, blindfolded jigsaw puzzle challenges, or word games.
    There are three course lengths for racers to choose from: the Treble Hook 4 hour course, the Crazy Eight 8 hour course, and the Dirty Dozen 12 hour course. There will be a post-race meal, awards ceremony, and prize drawing for racers after the final race ends. More details can be found on the race website: 
GNAR07.wordpress.com
    Bushwhack Adventures and Race Director Don Childrey, has produced two other adventure races in the Uwharrie Lakes Region: the 2006 Gold Nugget Adventure Race, and the Impossible Panther Adventure Race, held this past May. These events have drawn an average of 120 racers to enjoy the outdoor recreation resources of this area.

 

Bushwhack Adventures Contact: Don Childrey

Website: GNAR07.wordpress.com

Stanly County CVB

1000 N. 1st St.

Suite 11

Albemarle, NC 28001

www.stanlycvb.com

Chris Lambert

Executive Director, Stanly County CVB

(704)-986-2583 office

(704)-425-1357  cell

(704)-986-3685 fax

chris@stanlycvb.com

 

Annual Update of Key Facts About Women-Owned Businesses

Aug 28, 2007 - Washington, DC – The most widely distributed source of facts on women-owned businesses was released today by the Center for Women’s Business Research.   The pocket-sized fold-out contains the top line findings from current research by the Center and is expanded this year to also include facts from related research.

Key Facts about Women-Owned Businesses – 2007 Update, is underwritten by the MassMutual Financial Group. 

“The Center for Women’s Business Research launched the ’fact card’ 14 years ago,” said Margaret M. Smith, chair, Center for Women’s Business Research.  “Since then it has expanded from four panels to 10 panels of the most up-to-date knowledge about women-owned businesses.  Today, it is one of our signature products and is always in high demand.  Everyone from researchers, government officials, business representatives and reporters know that if they have this card, they have a good overview of the status and significance of this nation’s 10.4 million women-owned businesses at their finger tips.”

In addition to the number of women-owned firms, the fact card contains the following facts, among others:

 

  • Women-owned firms employ nearly 13 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in sales.

  • Between 1997 and 2006, majority women-owned firms (51 percent or more women-owned) grew at twice the rate of all firms (42 percent vs. 24 percent).

  • The vast majority (83 percent) of women business owners are personally involved in selecting and purchasing technology for their businesses.

  • Women owners of firms with revenues of $1 million or higher embrace financial measurements as management tools and produce more financial reports more often than smaller firms.

  • There are 2.4 million firms owned 50 percent or more by women of color in the U.S., employing 1.6 million people and generating nearly $230 billion in sales.

  • More than two-thirds (67 percent) of women business owners choose financial products and services based on their relationship and experience with a lender.

 

“The fact card speaks to the increasingly important and influential roles that women play as business owners, employers, and consumers,” said Susan W. Sweetser, Vice President, Focus Markets, MassMutual. “We’re committed to their continued success, which is why MassMutual has assumed a leadership role in serving women business owners for both their business and personal financial needs.”

“MassMutual has been a long-time partner with the work of the Center for Women’s Business Research,” said Sharon Hadary, executive director.  “In fact it sponsored the first fact card, and has continued support for creating more opportunity for women-owned firms through underwriting research.  We are pleased to have MassMutual sponsoring the fact card again this year.

      To obtain copies of the fact card, email info@womensbusinessresearch.org or call Christopher Clark at 202.638.3060 x 718.   Cost is $70.00 per packet of 100.  Discounts are available for the Center’s corporate partners, supporters, and members of women business owner associations.  For further information, contact the Center for Women’s Business Research, 1411 K Street, N.W., Suite 1350, Washington, DC, 20005-3407.

 

About the Center for Women’s Business Research

The Center for Women’s Business Research provides data-driven knowledge that advances the economic, social, and political impact of women business owners. We do this by setting the national agenda; creating insight on the status and achievements of women business owners; altering perceptions about the economic viability and progress of women-owned enterprises, and driving awareness of the economic and social impact of this vital business sector.  For more information, visit www.womensbusinessresearch.org.
About MassMutual
MassMutual Financial Group is the fleet name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliates, with more than $450 billion in assets under management at year-end 2006. Assets under management include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual's subsidiaries.
Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a mutually owned financial protection, accumulation and income management company headquartered in Springfield, Mass.  MassMutual's major affiliates include: OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; MML Investors Services, Inc., MassMutual International LLC and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB. MassMutual is on the Internet at www.massmutual.com.

 

Contact: Juanita M. Weaver

Director of Media & Strategic Alliances

Center for Women’s Business Research

202-638-3060 x 719

jweaver@womensbusinessresearch.org

Kathleen Gilroy (for MassMutual)

Madison Communications

617-723-4891

kgilroy@madisoncommunications.com

Incentives Approved for Possible Building of Southern Power Plant

July 24, Cleveland County, NC –At the Cleveland County Commissioners’ meeting on July 24, incentives were approved for the possible development of a Southern Power electric generating plant.  The building of the plant will be determined by sales of wholesale electricity contracts and developed in several phases.

The plant site has the potential to accommodate multiple natural gas units with a combined capacity of 1800 megawatts. The type of wholesale contracts obtained will also govern the order and type of units constructed.

Southern Power owns approximately 200 acres in the southern part of Cleveland County, near the South Carolina state line, where the potential plant would be developed.  Long term investment for the county could range anywhere between $120 - $900 million.

Contact: Adrian Camp, Cleveland County Chamber of Commerce – 704-487-8521

About Southern Power - a subsidiary of Southern Company acquires, builds, manages and owns generation assets that have been constructed for the wholesale market. Southern Power is the largest wholesale energy provider in the Southeast, meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities in one of the fastest growing regions of the country. Southern Power currently owns and operates more than 6,700 megawatts of generation assets in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. For more information regarding Southern Power, contact Mike Tyndall at 1-800-506-5333 or visit their website at www.southernco.com.

Falling Rivers Gallery to Open in Albermarle, August 1

July 30, Albermarle, NC - Falling Rivers Gallery will open her doors to the public Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.  Located in the old Belk / Jim Davis Drug Store building at 119 West Main Street in downtown Albemarle, NC, the gallery is a long-awaited dream of the Stanly County Arts Guild. 

 Featured in the gallery will be quality art works and fine crafts created by members of the Stanly County Arts Guild.  Among the works featured will be oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings, pottery, needlework, stained glass, wearable art, jewelry, furniture, Indian reproductions, gourd art, equine art, and mixed media creations.

The opening of the Gallery has been made possible by countless hours of volunteer work by Guild members and their families, donations from local businesses, and the owners of the building, Albemarle Improvement, LLC.

Falling Rivers Gallery will be opened five days a week, Tuesday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:30.p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

            Artists interested in displaying their work should call the gallery during regular business hours. For more information regarding Falling Rivers Gallery please contact the gallery or  Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Contact Falling Rivers Gallery : 704.983.4ART (4278)

Contact Stanly County CVB

Chris Lambert

Executive Director, Stanly County CVB

(704)-986-2583 office, (704)-425-1357  cell

(704)-986-3685 fax

chris@stanlycvb.com

1000 N. 1st St. , Suite 11, Albemarle, NC 28001

www.stanlycvb.com  

 

Greater Shelby Community Theatre

July 30, Shelby, NC -  Greater Shelby Community Theatre, along with Cherryville Little Theatre will present The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) at Cherryville Municipal Auditorium August 2, 3 and 4th at 7:30 pm and August 5th  at 2:30 pm. Tickets will be available at the door.  This play, like all of Shakespeare’s works, is intended for mature audiences and parental guidance is suggested.  Cherryville theatre is located at the corner of Elm and Academy Streets in Cherryville.  For a map to Cherryville Municipal Auditorium or more information see www.gsct.org.  or call 828.289.5522.

If you missed it the first time or loved it so much you want to see it again, here is your chance.   Hold on to your funny bones!  The Bard is back like never before!  The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) is far from a stuffed-shirt variety of classical drama.  Instead, it is a tongue-in-cheek version of all of Shakespeare’s masterpieces condensed into ninety minutes of frantic fun.  Laughter abounds when three actors, complete with costume changes, perform all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays!  (Well, at least parts of them.)

            This playful parody is directed by  Dale Koontz. GSCT veteran actors Joseph Hurdt, Chris Huffstetler, and Chad Spurling create the madcap hilarity.

About Greater Shelby Community Theatre - In 1975, community theatre was revived when Charles W. Cox, a retired Gardner-Webb College professor, organized the group known as the Greater Shelby Community Theatre. GSCT receives funding from NC Grassroots grant and the Cleveland County Arts Council, but its primary funding is reliant on season ticket memberships

2007 Summit for the Nonprofit Sector

The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, and NCGives will host the 2007 Summit for the Nonprofit Sector on October 24-26 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. 

The three co-hosts have joined forces to provide an affordable, content-filled program offering three days of plenary sessions, workshops, concurrent sessions, one-on-one consultations with nonprofit practitioners and consultants and roundtable discussions with prospective foundation, business and government funders.

Leaders of hundreds of nonprofit organizations from across the country will gather at the Twin City Quarter complex to network and discuss hot topics and trends in all aspects of nonprofit governance, management, and leadership.  Topics include risk management, collaboration, financial issues, fundraising, boards, organizational planning and evaluation, and human resources. 

This premier nonprofit event is expected to draw 800 - 1,000 nonprofit professionals from across the country! 

About the Summit -www.ncnonprofits.org/conference.asp

About The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits -  www.ncnonprofits.org

About the Nonprofit Risk Management Center- www.nonprofitrisk.org

About NCGives- www.ncgives.org

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