Charlotte has been entrepreneurial, for over 200 years, from the time that Europeans came to Charlotte to mine for gold.  For over 100 years, each decade has averaged over 40% growth, primarily due to entrepreneurs. The Queen City is continuing to grow by over 60 people/day and is ranked as:

– Fastest Growing Metro Area
– 16th Largest U.S. City
– 22nd Most Popular City to Start a Business
– One of the Top “Millennial Hubs”

Charlotte has “Got A Lot” of the good press!!

These rankings have helped attract Lowe’s new “Tech Hub” to South End. 20 years ago, Overcash Demmitt Architects was one of the first creative offices to move to South End.   The announcement of a new 22-story tower two blocks from our office is exciting.  The building design looks great, and more millennials, craft beer, corn-hole, and scooters are good for The Design District of South End. Lowe’s is anticipating the need for 2,000 employees, 1,600 new and 400 relocated from Mooresville (who would want that commute!?). 

Lowe’s is receiving a projected tax incentive package of $72M, similar to other “per-employee” tax incentive packages for Lending Tree, Honeywell, Avid X-Change, and others.  Are these highly visible companies the real heroes that are spurring Charlotte’s growth….or is it the entrepreneurs?

Charlotte has 464,456 people employed and 22,318 small businesses employing under 50 people.  Charlotte’s entrepreneurs account for over 300,000 jobs.  Where are the entrepreneurs’ tax incentives ranging from $20,000 to $36,000/employee?

As Queen City grows and acquires more accolades, let’s remember our entrepreneurial roots and celebrate the businesses that employ over half of Charlotte’s workforce.  We don’t need a $72M tax incentive…..we’ll take a $7.20 voucher to Craft Growler Shop any day!

– Stephen F. Overcash