Concord -  Fire chiefs from around the state have returned to Concord this week for the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs Mid-Winter Conference, hosted by the Concord Fire Department and the Cabarrus County Firemen’s Association. This is the second consecutive year that the NCAFC has met in Concord for its Mid-Winter Conference. Event organizers estimate approximately 300 attendees and  the CVB says the economic impact to the county will be around $180,000.

Concord -  Kannapolis Mayor Robert S. Misenheimer and Concord Mayor J. Scott Padgett have joined the long list of distinguished North Carolinians to receive the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The Mayors were surprised with the recognition Friday, January 27 at the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in a videotaped presentation by North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue. The Order of the Long Leaf pine is the highest award in North Carolina given to civilians. Both Mayors were on stage receiving the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award during the luncheon when the recognition was revealed. 

Charlotte  — Despite slow job growth, declines in consumer confidence and the impact of excess reserves on the banking system, UNC Charlotte economist John Connaughton reported this week in his quarterly forecast that the North Carolina economy will continue a pace of slow recovery through 2012.