The Burke County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for
Lake James Marina on Wednesday, April 22. The marina is at 9066
N.C. 126, Nebo. Owner Tim Newton cut the ribbon alongside Burke
County Commissioner Chair Jeff Brittan, team members, family,
friends, and supporters. Also in attendance were Burke County
Commissioner Mike Stroud; President and CEO of the Burke County
Chamber of Commerce Tonia Stephenson; and Chamber Board Members
Lily Laramie and Dylan Webb; Chamber Ambassadors, Devan Berry,
Gerald Greene, Lindsey Hazelhurst, and Logan Smithers. Be sure to
stop by if you’re out by the lake!
The Burke County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting for
Lake James Marina on Wednesday, April 22. The marina is at 9066
N.C. 126, Nebo. Owner Tim Newton cut the ribbon alongside Burke
County Commissioner Chair Jeff Brittan, team members, family,
friends, and supporters. Also in attendance were Burke County
Commissioner Mike Stroud; President and CEO of the Burke County
Chamber of Commerce Tonia Stephenson; and Chamber Board Members
Lily Laramie and Dylan Webb; Chamber Ambassadors, Devan Berry,
Gerald Greene, Lindsey Hazelhurst, and Logan Smithers. Be sure to
stop by if you’re out by the lake!
Lake James Marina ribbon cutting
Morganton
Morganton construction values top $3.7 million in April
The pie chart shows a breakdown of the types of construction
happening in Morganton during April.
Morganton approved 123 permits in April with a combined listed construction value of about $3.71 million, led by a new home on Riverwoods Drive, mechanical work at Case Farms, and a series of commercial and residential improvements throughout downtown and the greater city.
The April total was down from March’s roughly $6.96 million in listed value, but the number of approved permits increased from 117 to 123. Through the first four months of 2026, Morganton has approved 410 permits with about $22.3 million in listed construction value, based on the city’s January through April permit reports.
The largest April building permit was approved for a $775,000 new single-family residence on Riverwoods Drive. The next largest listed project was a $619,791 mechanical permit for extensive factory HVAC and ventilation work at Case Farms’ new breast packaging facility on Rand Street.
The city also approved $400,000 worth of electrical and mechanical work for Morganton Savings Bank’s future location at 300 N. Green St.
Other notable April permits included a $157,300 for reroofing at Carolina Smoke Barbeque Grill and $90,900 worth of plumbing work for the new Chicken Salad Chick and Tropical Smoothie Cafe on Burkemont Avenue.
April’s permit activity was spread across everyday repair and renovation work as well as larger projects. Mechanical permits were the most common category, with 42 approved permits totaling about $1.17 million. Electrical permits followed with 37 permits totaling about $652,000. Plumbing permits accounted for 25 permits and about $329,000, while building permits accounted for 18 permits and about $1.56 million.
Much of the month’s residential activity involved decks, sheds, porches, HVAC replacements, plumbing remodels, service upgrades and generator work. Residential permits included work on Branch Street, Starmount Circle, Mollholland Boulevard, Birchwood Drive, Newland Street, Woodlawn Drive, Rockyford Street, Northwood Drive, Amherst Road, and several other neighborhoods.
Downtown and commercial work continued as well. Work at the future location of the Merrill Mischief General Store, at 116 W. Union St., received electrical and plumbing permits for lighting, counter receptacles, and sink work. Morganton Sewing’s old building, at 128 N. Sterling St., received an electrical permit tied to lighting and bathroom work. Burke Arts Council, at 506 S. Sterling St., received an electrical permit for $60,000 worth of installation of power and lighting in the basement.
The report also included one demolition permit for demolition of a maintenance shed at Catawba Meadows Park. The listed construction value was zero.
As always, permit values are best read as rough indicators of construction activity, not final project costs. Several permits list zero or unusually low values, while some routine-sounding work carries high listed estimates. Still, the reports offer a useful monthly snapshot of where investment, repair and construction are happening in Morganton.
— ML
Business
Lenoir's Friendship Ford sold to Tampa Bay company
Friendship Ford is now CarHeroes of Lenoir. The business changed
hands April 30.
CARHEROES / FOR THE PAPER
Friendship Ford of Lenoir has been sold and renamed CarHeroes Ford.
The sale of the 25,258-square-foot dealership at 515 Wilkesboro Blvd. NE in Lenoir closed April 29, according to The Tim Lamb Group, which represented the seller, Friendship Automotive. The dealership was purchased by CarHeroes President Matthew Nunlist.
Tim Lamb Group Directors Chris Infantino and Bob Wolfbauer facilitated the transaction. Each has more than 30 years of experience working with Ford Motor Company, including Ford’s dealership appointment and market representation processes.
Mitch Walters and Brandon Walters, with Friendship Automotive, had owned and operated the Lenoir dealership since 2019. Friendship Automotive owns 16 dealerships in Tennessee, West Virginia and North Carolina. The Walters elected to sell the Lenoir dealership to rebalance their portfolio and reinvest in other markets.
“I have known Chris for many years, and his experience with Ford and the dealer appointment process made it an easy decision to work with him to help us sell the Lenoir dealership,” Mitch said.
For CarHeroes, the acquisition marks its first franchised dealership. The company currently operates three independent used vehicle dealerships in the Tampa Bay area and identified North Carolina as a strong growth market. The company has plans for a Ford-required Signature 2.0 interior and exterior renovation and to retain as many current employees as possible through the transaction.
Chris Infantino commented, “It was a privilege to represent Friendship Automotive in this transaction. Mitch and Brandon have built a strong operation in Lenior, and we were proud to help them achieve their strategic goals while ensuring a smooth transition to a well-qualified buyer.”
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