It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Historic Rosedale in Charlotte, NC gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Charlotte, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I love working for this company.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I love working for this company.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Freedom Park in Charlotte, NC with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Bentley's Restaurant or visit The Charlotte Museum of History, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Charlotte, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Charlotte, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Charlotte, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
North Carolina – A cool, quiet dawn stretches over Charlotte as the first hints of cloud cover drift in from the southwest. Streetlights glow across lightly damp roads, and the air settles crisp and steady—an early signal of the pattern changes building through the next few days. Anyone heading toward I-77 or I-85 this morning will find smooth travel and clear visibility, but conditions evolve quickly as the day unfolds.According to the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg office, increasing clo...
North Carolina – A cool, quiet dawn stretches over Charlotte as the first hints of cloud cover drift in from the southwest. Streetlights glow across lightly damp roads, and the air settles crisp and steady—an early signal of the pattern changes building through the next few days. Anyone heading toward I-77 or I-85 this morning will find smooth travel and clear visibility, but conditions evolve quickly as the day unfolds.
According to the National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg office, increasing clouds move across Charlotte today with highs near 73 degrees. Southwest winds rise to 10 mph—with gusts approaching 23 mph—by midafternoon. Residents running early Thanksgiving errands should prepare for stronger breezes during the evening as the cloud deck thickens. The air stays mild, but the shifting winds mark a developing November pattern.
Sunday brings even more pronounced gusts. According to meteorologists, highs reach the mid-70s under full sunshine, but northwest winds surge to 15 mph with gusts near 28 mph. Those winds may push debris across roadways and create crosswind challenges on elevated stretches of the freeway system. To be fair, it remains a beautiful day—just a bit brisk and busy.
Monday turns quieter and cooler. NWS guidance shows highs in the low 60s with bright sun and lighter winds, an ideal setup for early travel or outdoor decorating ahead of the Thanksgiving rush. Still, models hint at a subtle Winter Tease later in the week. A frontal boundary approaches Tuesday, bringing more clouds and a slight chance for an early-season mix in higher elevations well north of Charlotte.
Tuesday stays mostly sunny and mild near 67 degrees, offering one more calm window before the holiday week tightens.
Five-Day Forecast for Charlotte, NC:Sat: 73/57 – Increasing clouds; breezy late.Sun: 74/39 – Sunny; gusty winds.Mon: 63/40 – Sunny; cooler and calm.Tue: 67/50 – Mostly sunny; mild.Wed: 73/50 – Mostly sunny; warm stretch continues.
This story is part of a series. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A veterans housing company in Charlotte handled hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds at the same time veterans it was helping were being evicted, a WBTV investigation has learned.Those payments were sent despite two decades of unpaid court judgements and numerous lawsuits against the company’s owner, Karen Blackmon, in Mecklenburg County district court.A WBTV investigation into veterans housing company Our Hearts Our Heroes began with Shaun...
This story is part of a series.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - A veterans housing company in Charlotte handled hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds at the same time veterans it was helping were being evicted, a WBTV investigation has learned.
Those payments were sent despite two decades of unpaid court judgements and numerous lawsuits against the company’s owner, Karen Blackmon, in Mecklenburg County district court.
A WBTV investigation into veterans housing company Our Hearts Our Heroes began with Shauntel Gaines, a veteran who was evicted after she fled domestic violence to Charlotte and wound up homeless, living in a shelter.
Her connection to Our Hearts Our Heroes began as a recommendation from the nonprofit she worked for. It ended with her eviction.
“One that I don’t deserve,” Gaines said through tears.
Our Hearts Our Heroes was her lease guarantor because she wouldn’t have been accepted as a tenant otherwise. The rent was too high.
The company often served as the middleman between Gaines and the landlord as a result.
As , Gaines’ eviction in 2024 came despite financial records showing she paid rent to Our Hearts Our Heroes. The eviction also happened despite a $6,700 housing aid donation from the Tunnels to Towers Foundation sent to Our Hearts Our Heroes on Gaines’ behalf.
Documents obtained by WBTV showed that Our Hearts Our Heroes didn’t send that money, earmarked for Gaines, to her landlord. Weeks after her eviction, Gaines’ landlord sent her and Blackmon a balance sheet showing thousands of dollars owed and nothing paid.
A year later, it’s still unclear where the donation and Gaines’s own rent money went, according to records that WBTV reviewed. The company’s owner, Karen Blackmon, first told WBTV she paid Gaines back and promised to send proof. She didn’t send that documentation despite numerous requests, and then stopped responding.
Gaines, meanwhile, was left in a financial hole – and with a permanent eviction on her record.
One of Charlotte’s largest veteran nonprofits, Veterans Bridge Home, ran a grant-funded housing program for veterans that sent more than $220,000 to Our Hearts Our Heroes in 2023 and 2024.
Veterans Bridge Home as the most comprehensive veteran-serving organization in the region and by major corporations that include Truist, Bank of America, the Charlotte Panthers, Duke Energy and others.
Its most recent publicly-available show Veterans Bridge Home received more than $2 million in grants for 2023, just under half of its total revenue.
The money sent to Our Hearts Our Heroes was part of a temporary housing program funded by federal Covid relief funds (American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA), a spokesperson told WBTV.
Veterans Bridge Home sent the funds to Our Hearts Our Heroes as the leaseholder for veterans. The funds were payments for a veteran’s first-time housing costs or temporary rent relief.
“By the program guidelines, the VBH program paid the rent, or utilities to the landlord, lease holder, or utility company, not to the client themselves,” wrote Lori Noonan, chief growth officer for Veterans Bridge Home.
“It is important to note that these payments were not ‘donations’ or ‘provided’ to property owners or master leaseholders,” Noonan said. “These were payments for first time rental costs, back rent, and in some cases next month’s rent to give families a little more financial runway.”
Noonan told WBTV that they believe all of these payments they sent to Our Hearts Our Heroes were applied as intended. When asked about why the company wasn’t further vetted, Noonan wrote that they had adhered to strict ARPA guidelines when administering the funds.
“Because ... none of these clients ever told us that the payments we made did not go for their initial costs for an apartment or to pay back rent, we believe the payments we made went to their intended purpose,” Noonan wrote.
Records show that those payments, however, came while other tenants of Our Hearts Our Heroes were being evicted in Mecklenburg County district court.
In addition, WBTV’s investigation shows that Our Hearts Our Heroes owner Karen Blackmon had a lengthy history of unpaid debts that predated her partnership with Veterans Bridge Home by nearly two decades.
Over the past two decades, Karen Blackmon has filed at least seven LLCs with the North Carolina Secretary of State.
The Secretary of State dissolved most of them when records showed Blackmon stopped filing annual reports. (There are additional LLCs linked to a Karen Blackmon that were quickly opened and closed, but these seven are linked to addresses or other information that WBTV confirmed to be the correct Blackmon.)
The frequency of both the filings and the dissolutions is just one of several issues that should have been checked before working with the companies or their owner, according to managing attorney Kelly Durden with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy.
“It’s unclear exactly what their business model is. It’s unclear who they serve. It’s unclear how they purport to earn money,” Durden said. “But it is clear that there are a lot of LLCs opened in [Blackmon’s] name over the years.”
Outside of customers or clients proactively filing complaints, Durden said there’s little in the regulatory world to be done about it.
“I could open a for-profit tomorrow, say that I’m going to help house homeless veterans in Charlotte. I have no business plan, I don’t have the financial means to do so. And that could happen?” a reporter asked Durden.
“That could happen, yes.”
Apart from the LLC filings, the public footprint for the companies typically appeared in just one other place: the Mecklenburg county courthouse.
Enka Entertainment is one of the earliest LLCs linked to Karen Blackmon. Online court records indicate she still owes $77,000 in a 2004 court judgement against her and the company.
A representative for the clerk of courts confirmed to WBTV that, if an old lawsuit is still marked in the online court system as active and unpaid, then payments have indeed not been made through the court as required.
In the early 2000s, several arrest warrants were issued against Blackmon for writing worthless checks.
In 2015, the IRS filed a $53,000 tax lien against Blackmon that, for almost a decade, court records show she failed to pay.
In 2024, Blackmon’s bank sued her for failing to make payments on her BMW car loan and overdrawing her account by almost $10,000.
All in all, online court records dating back two decades indicate Blackmon owes at least $350,000 in unpaid debts in North Carolina.
WBTV also previously reported how Our Hearts Our Heroes was named as a defendant in at least 18 evictions between 2023 and 2025.
Much of this extensive legal record predated the company’s partnership with Veterans Bridge Home and the donation from Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
After veterans voiced problems with the company last fall, Veterans Bridge Home said they stopped referring people to Our Hearts Our Heroes in October 2024.
In January 2025, Veterans Bridge Home launched an internal audit into the cases of 36 veterans funded by the housing program who lived in units leased by Our Hearts Our Heroes.
“Once concerns surfaced, Veterans Bridge Home acted immediately — ending referrals, launching a case audit, and notifying legal advocacy partners,” Noonan said in an email. The audit showed the grant payments had been applied as intended, Noonan wrote.
The Tunnels to Towers Foundation told WBTV their case record showed they “received no indication” their donation to Gaines hadn’t stopped her eviction.
Kelly Durden with the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, who is aware of numerous clients who also had issues with Our Hearts Our Heroes, has one message for nonprofits: Vet your partners.
“If there’s a lot of litigation against them, you really have to wonder, is this somebody that I want to do business with?”
None of this makes sense to Gaines, who is left pushing for answers about why massive nonprofits first chose to work with a company with an extensive legal record of red flags.
“They’re going home to sleep in a warm bed. They have food in their refrigerators. They really don’t understand what is happening in the community that they’re serving,” Gaines said.
“I’m speaking to the foundation of that problem.”
Gov. Josh Stein drove up to the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood on Wednesday in a green 1977 International Scout — a model that went out of production in the 1980s. But Stein is looking forward to Charlotte and the state playing a major role in bringing the off-road vehicle back to life.Scout Motors, an American subsidiary of Germany-based Volkswagen, is making Charlotte its new corporate headquarters with a $207 million investment and a promise to create over 1,200 high-paying jobs, company and N.C. officials said Wed...
Gov. Josh Stein drove up to the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood on Wednesday in a green 1977 International Scout — a model that went out of production in the 1980s. But Stein is looking forward to Charlotte and the state playing a major role in bringing the off-road vehicle back to life.
Scout Motors, an American subsidiary of Germany-based Volkswagen, is making Charlotte its new corporate headquarters with a $207 million investment and a promise to create over 1,200 high-paying jobs, company and N.C. officials said Wednesday.
The new headquarters is going in the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood in two phases. The jobs will be created over a five-year period from 2026 to 2030, according to officials at the Economic Investment Committee meeting.
They said $172,878 is the expected minimum average wage, and Scout Motors anticipates investing $207 million by the end of 2029. The state is awarding Scout Motors a job development investment grant worth up to $46.5 million if it reaches its hiring and investment targets.
This is one of the biggest job creation announcements in Charlotte over the past decade, local officials said. And the average minimum wage for Scout Motors is nearly double the $86,830 average wage for Mecklenburg County.
Charlotte beat out sites in South Carolina and Virginia for the Scout Motors headquarters, the company told N.C. officials. Scout Motors’ headquarters is in Tysons, Virginia, near Washington, D.C.
Scout Motors already has a robust presence in the Carolinas. In 2023, the company announced it was investing $2 billion in an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Richland County near Columbia, along with 4,000 jobs. The company also received $1.3 billion in incentives from the state.
Production is targeted to begin at the S.C. site in 2027.
“Scout Motors has undertaken a nationwide search to identify a location for its new corporate headquarters from which it will lead and drive its company, brand and products,” Mark Poole of the NC Commerce Department, said at the meeting.
In Plaza Midwood, Stein and state Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley were joined by city and Mecklenburg County officials who are also involved in the deal, along with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
The Charlotte headquarters will serve as the home for executives, research and development, finance, IT, sales, marketing and other key corporate functions.
“We’re excited that you’re revitalizing an iconic American brand and building the next generation vehicle company right here in the Carolinas,” Stein said.
Over the next 12 years, the project will add nearly $5 billion to the state’s economy, Stein added.
“The way I see it, North Carolina was always the prefect choice for Scout’s new headquarters,” he said while boasting about the state’s universities, clean energy economy, quality of life and workforce.
Scout Motors President Scott Keogh talked about the reasons the company landed on Charlotte.
He cited the talent pool, local universities and a reputation as a launchpad for bold ideas.
“Charlotte offers the momentum we need to scale quickly and sustainably,” Keogh said. “We’ll build a headquarters that reflects our culture, empowers our team and connects us to a region that’s fast becoming a national hub for mobility and manufacturing.”
Scout Motors will establish its Charlotte presence gradually. Its plans for initial staffing and office development will start next year, with full headquarters operations scaling up over several years.
During the event Wednesday, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles spoke about how North Carolina is a top- ranked state for business and how the city reflects that success with its growth.
”This decision brings new energy to Plaza Midwood,” Lyles said. It brings jobs, it brings growth, it brings optimism to what’s next.”
In February 2024, Scout Motors broke ground on a production center in Blythewood, South Carolina, off Interstate 77 and just outside of Columbia. It covers about 1,600 acres, with the main plant taking up 1,100 acres, according to a Scout Motors news release.
This location gives Scout Motors easy access to highways, shipping ports in Charleston and Savannah, and colleges known for automotive engineering.
Scout plans to start making vehicles by the end of 2026, with trucks and SUVs expected to go on sale shortly after production begins. Over 14,000 people already have expressed interest for the 4,000 jobs, the Columbia State reported.
Plans are also underway to build a Supplier Park on the site of its Blythewood production center. Located next to the main production center buildings, the Supplier Park spans nearly 200 acres and will feature more than 2.3 million square feet of specialized manufacturing and logistics space.
The Scout was first made by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980. It was the world’s first vehicle designed for both off-road and family use, earning a reputation as a tough, all-purpose truck.
In 2022, Volkswagen introduced Scout Motors, a new company founded to bring back the iconic Scout brand by building a fresh line of all-electric trucks and SUVs.
Scout currently operates 1.3 million square feet of assembly space and body shops, according to its website. The company has more than 4,000 workers for production jobs.
A few years ago, Keogh said the company was just two employees with an idea.
“The idea obviously is not just to bring back a relic, but bring back a revolution and bring back getting America back to manufacturing things, dreaming things and doing things again,” Keogh said. “And that’s exactly what we’re up to.”
The Scout that Stein borrowed for the event is owned by Ainsley Lederfind of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Her parents, Howard and Stacie Lederfind of Ellenboro, came to Charlotte for the celebration.
“My daughter was ecstatic,” Howard said about the governor behind the wheel, with Keogh and Lilley as passengers. “It drives great to be an almost 50-year-old vehicle. It’s a daily driver for her.
Lederfind owned the truck for four years and had it partially restored. He’s looking forward to seeing newer models on the road.
“I think it’s pretty neat that it’s going to provide jobs for North Carolina and with the factory being in Blythewood, South Carolina, I know they’re excited about it as well,” Howard said.
“Big time snow” is headed for North Carolina’s mountains, with some peaks expected to get 18 inches by Tuesday morning, according to National Weather Service.The dangerous weather is linked to a quick-moving arctic air mass bringing below freezing temperatures to most of the state on Monday night, forecasters say.Hypothermia and frostbite are possible for people who risk prolonged exposure in the mountains, experts say.The first round of snow reached mountains along the North Carolina-Tennessee state li...
“Big time snow” is headed for North Carolina’s mountains, with some peaks expected to get 18 inches by Tuesday morning, according to National Weather Service.
The dangerous weather is linked to a quick-moving arctic air mass bringing below freezing temperatures to most of the state on Monday night, forecasters say.
Hypothermia and frostbite are possible for people who risk prolonged exposure in the mountains, experts say.
The first round of snow reached mountains along the North Carolina-Tennessee state line late Sunday, the NWS said.
“More than a foot of snow appears likely across the higher elevations of the Smokies,” the NWS reported in a Nov. 9 Facebook post.
“There’s been a lot of chatter about the incoming snow, but don’t forget that with snow comes very cold temperatures. ... Wind chill values will be in the single digits over a good portion of the mountains Monday night, with the highest elevations dropping below 0°F.”
Snow flurries could extend along the Interstate 40 corridor as far east as Greensboro, with less than one-tenth of an inch of accumulation, NWS forecasters said.
As of 7:30 a.m. Monday, Grandfather Mountain was reporting gusts of more than 50 mph, and a wind chill of minus 12 degrees, the NWS reported.
“Winds will pick up out of the northwest (Monday) tonight as gusts of 35-45 mph are possible, especially at elevations above 3500 feet,” NWS Forecasters say.
Overnight gusts could reach between 36 and 44 mph in parts of Yancey and Avery counties, experts say.
The snow forecast prompted Great Smoky Mountains National Park to close multiple roads, including the US441/Newfound Gap Road, which serves as the main road traversing the park from Tennessee to North Carolina.
Temperatures will rebound Wednesday and beyond, with drier weather expected the rest of the week, forecasters say.
As chilly days return to North Carolina, the first reaction may be to nudge the thermostat a little higher. But that cozy boost comes with a price. estimates that heating can eat up as much as half of a home’s energy use, and with fall settling in, that can mean steeper bills ahead.To keep both your home and your budget comfortable, consider these energy-saving tips.What is the best thermostat setting to cut costs during fall?Turning your thermostat down just 7 to 10 degrees from your usual setting can act...
As chilly days return to North Carolina, the first reaction may be to nudge the thermostat a little higher. But that cozy boost comes with a price.
estimates that heating can eat up as much as half of a home’s energy use, and with fall settling in, that can mean steeper bills ahead.
To keep both your home and your budget comfortable, consider these energy-saving tips.
Turning your thermostat down just 7 to 10 degrees from your usual setting can actually save you up to 10% a year on heating costs, according to the .
“The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be,” the department says. “You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home.”
You might’ve heard that lowering your thermostat means your furnace will have to crank overtime to warm things back up, but experts say that’s not how it works.
“During winter, the lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss. So the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at the higher temperature,” the Department of Energy says.
There are several other ways to save energy and cut costs during the winter, according to :
Questions about life in North Carolina? Or have a tip or story idea you’d like to share? The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you.
704-552-8581
