While it's guaranteed to annoy much of the population, truly die-hard Harris Teeter fans now can get free ringtones based on the grocer's "My Harris Teeter" ditty.

The Matthews-based chain has 10 versions available, the Charlotte Observer's Jen Aronoff reports on her "What's in Store" blog.

The jingle is used in the chain's advertising and Harris Teeter runs contests where shoppers can create their own versions.

"The ringtones are another, fun way for Harris Teeter to interact with customers," spokeswoman Catherine Reuhl said.

Harris Teeter has about two dozen stores in the greater Triangle region. Still, I can't help but wonder what happens when your phone goes off while shopping in Kroger, Food Lion or Walmart.

Some good news out of the Queen City: Bank bonuses are rebounding.

In Charlotte, the nation's No. 2 bank town after New York, Bank of America and Wells Fargo are preparing to pay bigger annual bonuses to many of their 34,000 local employees, the Charlotte Observer reports.

The levels won't reach the peaks hit during boom times a few years back, but they should be up significantly over last year. Wells Fargo's total pool for bonus and commission pay is up about 66 percent over last year, the newspaper reports.

While politically sensitive nowadays, the payouts are a critical part of personal income - and consumer spending - in Charlotte. The bonuses help drive the city, funding charitable giving, the real estate market, retail and other aspects of the economy.

To a lesser extent, the fatter bonuses could provide an economic boost to this region's economy, where Wells Fargo's Wachovia and Bank of America also employ thousands of people.

Bank of America doesn't have plans for dual headquarters, a bank spokesman told The Charlotte Observe today.

An article in the Wall Street Journal this morning had said the bank could establish dual headquarters in New York and Charlotte, citing “people inside the company.”

In denying the Journal report, spokesman Larry Di Rita repeated previous statements that the headquarters would stay in Charlotte.

“There is zero factual basis for this idea of dual headquarters,” said Di Rita. “Brian (Moynihan, the chief executive) has been unequivocal that the headquarters are in Charlotte. ...

There’s no thinking, planning, or discussions to the contrary.”

The Journal story did hedge the dual headquarters plan by saying it wasn’t clear how wide-ranging the discussions are.

Bank of America's acquisition of Merrill Lynch gave it a bigger New York presence, but it has major operations in other cities, too, such as Boston.

Di Rita told the Charlotte Observer that Moynihan will spend time wherever the bank has major operations.

Read the entire story here 

A Charlotte-based company helping develop batteries for electric cars plans to expand and add a new facility in Concord, adding 289 jobs.

Celguard now has 390 jobs in Charlotte. The new jobs will pay average annual salaries of $56,960. The company is a division of Polypore International, a publicly traded company also based in Charlotte.

Celguard stands to receive state incentives worth up to $5.56 million over 11 years if it adds the new jobs and retains the existing ones. N.C. Commerce Department officials approved the breaks this morning in Raleigh.

Of the new jobs, 209 will be added in Concord, about 150 miles west of Raleigh.

The state's largest utility will offer buyouts to employees and consolidate corporate functions in Charlotte and at its Midwest operations.

Duke Energy's headquarters will remain in Charlotte, the Charlotte Observer reports, and corporate operations such as finance, human resources and legal work will be consolidated there over two years. Duke maintains regional offices in locations including Cincinnati and Plainfield, Ind.

Duke has 2.4 million customers in the Carolinas, including more than 170,000 in Chapel Hill, Durham and other parts of the western Triangle.

Duke will extend the buyout offers to its 140 employees in this region, spokesman Tom Williams said. For all workers, there are some caveats: union employees aren't eligible, and workers must have been with the company for at least five years.

The buyouts and corporate changes are aimed at shaving $200 million from operating expenses this year. Duke set a $100 million target, later increased to $150 million, for cost-cutting in 2009. It will announce whether those savings were achieved when earnings for that year are released in mid-February.

Mecklenburg County just got some more good news.

Zenta Morgage Services will add 1,002 jobs with an average salary of $47,980 there over the next five years.

In return, it will receive a job development grant from the state worth $8.6 million. The state's economic investment committee voted this morning to approve the grant.

A health-care consulting company plans to add 300 jobs in Charlotte over the next five years, state officials announced today.

Premier Inc. already employs about 750 people in Charlotte out of its total work force of 1,100. State officials promised the company up to $4,089,000 in incentives if it creates the new jobs and keeps all the existing ones.

The company will move its headquarters to Charlotte from San Diego as part of the expansion. The new jobs will pay average annual salaries of at least $62,460.

Premier helps hospitals reduce costs, improve care and negotiate the best prices for supplies and services. In March, the company named as its new CEO Susan DeVore, who lives in Charlotte.

The Carolina Panthers fall to the Baltimore Ravens 17-13 in Charlotte on Saturday night, Aug. 29, 2009. With the loss, the Panther's are 0-3 in the ... more

Trinity Partners, a Charlotte-based commercial real estate firm, is expanding into Raleigh, reports The Charlotte Observer's Kerry Hall Singe. 


The company is partnering with three senior brokers with the former GVA Advantis Triangle office to create a new office involved with leasing, brokerage, construction services and management for office and industrial institutional owners and corporate users.

Scott Stankavage, David Adams and David Townsend will lead Trinity Partner’s Triangle office, which will have 14 other employees.

Roller-coaster fans, get ready to ride a few hours west.

Carowinds announced today that it will add a $23 million ride next season named after NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt that will be “the Southeast's tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster.”

At 23 stories high at its tallest peak, “The Intimidator” will be Carowinds' tallest ride, The Charlotte Observer reported. It will have seven steep drops – one for each of Earnhardt's NASCAR championships – and travel at a maximum speed of 75 mph.

Carowinds says it will last more than three minutes and have the “intensity of a fast-paced NASCAR race.”

The amusement park, located about 15 minutes south of Charlotte, is adding attractions to lure visitors during the economic downturn.