Good News Friday: Duke ‘Homegrown’ program invests $203 million in jobs, housing

Duke makes a splash with its Homegrown program. Plus, the state honors one of NC’s most successful craft breweries, and a meaningful investment in women’s sports by the Carolina Panthers owner.

It’s that time of year when the Bradford pears make themselves known throughout North Carolina. The deciduous tree blooms in mid-March, letting off a pungent, fish-like odor that would be tough not to notice. 

Growing in all regions of the state, one might think Bradford pears have been in North Carolina forever. One would be way off. The invasive species is actually native to China and Taiwan. 

Problematic for more reasons than the smell, the trees have weak branches that easily break in high winds, snow and ice as well as negatively impacting local habitats, according to the N.C. Urban Forest Council. 

But you’re reading Good News Friday, so let’s get to the good news: You can trade in your Bradford pears. There’s a bounty program that allows residents to remove a Bradford pear tree from their property and exchange it for a free native tree at NC Bradford Pear Bounty events being held throughout the spring.

The first event will take place in Hayesville tomorrow, followed by Asheville (April 25), Hendersonville (April 25), and Burlington (May 9). Visit the NC Bradford Pear Bounty website for more details. 

Now for more good news on Good News Friday.

Highland Brewing honored

Earlier this month, I wrote a Good News Friday blurb about the return of Scotty, Highland Brewing’s beloved mascot. This week, the real people behind one of North Carolina’s first craft breweries were honored at the annual Visit NC Tourism Conference. 

During a luncheon featuring Gov. Josh Stein and NC Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley on Tuesday, tourism officials presented the Esse Quam Videri Award to Highland Brewing and its president and CEO, Leah Wong Ashburn, recognizing the company’s impactful contributions to the state economy and service following Hurricane Helene. 

President of the brewery since 2015, Ashburn is the daughter of the late Oscar Wong, who founded Asheville’s first post-Prohibition brewery in 1994. 

“Highland and its founding family embody ‘Esse Quam Videri,’ our state motto, which translates as ‘to be, rather than to seem,’” said Wit Tuttell, Visit NC’s executive director. “It’s action over words, authenticity over appearance. Leah learned this principle from her father, and it’s part of the core values that have served them in business and beyond.” 

Tuttell cited Ashburn’s actions in the days and months following Hurricane Helene, transforming the brewery campus in Asheville into a relief center of sorts, sharing space and resources with World Central Kitchen and Wine to Water while raising money for community assistance and helping serve the community in a number of other ways. 

Ashburn’s work led to a White House invitation from President Joe Biden, Person of the Year honors from Brewbound, and a recent appointment to Gov. Stein’s Advisory Committee on Western NC Recovery, according to Tuttell. 

Asheville’s Highland Brewing CEO Leah Wong Ashburn (center) recently received the Esse Quam Videri Award in recognition of the Asheville brewery’s contribution to the state economy. (Photo via Visit NC)

Panthers owner makes contribution to women’s sports

UNC-Charlotte recently announced a contribution to the women’s sports program given by Panthers owner David Tepper (second from left) and his wife, Nicole (second from right). (Photo via UNC Charlotte)

UNC Charlotte on Tuesday announced a $250,000 gift from the David & Nicole Tepper Foundation to support the university’s Let Me Play initiative, which aims to strengthen opportunities for student-athlete women across Charlotte Athletics.

Announced during the Judy W. Rose Let Me Play Luncheon, the cash infusion will support student-athlete well-being, training environments, leadership development, and the continued competitiveness of Charlotte’s women’s programs, according to a release from the university on Tuesday. 

“We are grateful to David and Nicole Tepper for their generous investment in the future of our women student-athletes,” stated Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “Their support reflects a shared belief in the power of athletics to develop leaders and open doors for our students long after they graduate from UNC Charlotte.”

More than 230 student-athlete women compete across multiple varsity programs at UNC Charlotte. 

“Sports give young women the chance to build confidence, develop leadership skills and discover what they’re capable of,” said Nicole Tepper. “Supporting women student-athletes at UNC Charlotte means investing in future leaders for our city and region, and we’re proud to help expand opportunities through the Let Me Play initiative.”

Duke University announces $203 million Homegrown housing, hiring program

Duke University on Wednesday announced the launch of its new HomeGrown initiative, a $203-million investment to create housing and jobs in the Durham and Triangle communities over the next three years. 

Anchored by four key pillars — Employ, Build, Buy, and Invest — the funding will go toward expanding local hiring and strengthening career pathways, partnering with Durham- and Triangle-based construction-related businesses, increasing spending with local businesses, and accelerating affordable housing development in Durham and the Triangle. 

Read a full list of HomeGrown’s goals at the website. 

“HomeGrown is Duke’s institution-wide commitment to helping people in our community get ahead – through better jobs, more opportunities for local businesses, and making it easier for families to stay in the community they call home,” reads the Duke website. 

They’ll kick things off Monday with a community resume review event, where members of the OneDuke career community will look over the resumes of participants and offer feedback based on their expertise.