August 28, 2025 • 34 mins
Questions remain about delays at the VinFast plant project, highlighted as a historic church on the site was demolished. The NC elections board has voted to drop Sunday voting in two counties, while AAA is projecting busy Labor Day travel across the state. Meanwhile, Asheville has agreed to eliminate race-based membership criteria for one of its city commissions, marking a significant policy shift.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
It's five oh five.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Do you welcome into the Carolina Journal News Hour, Newstock eleven,
ten ninety nine to three WBT. I'm Nick Craig. We
cover a lot of business announcements over on our website,
Carolina Journal dot com and then of course bring them
to you here on the Carolina Journal News Hour, many
of them large projects many years away. But unfortunately sometimes
(00:30):
these projects, while in the announcements are great, the projects
do not necessarily make their way into full completion. To
walk us through some details this morning on a company
that has been in the talks for a couple of
years here in North Carolina, Teresopeka from Carolina Journal dot
com joins us to talk about VinFast. They are a
Vietnamese electric vehicle maker. To resee the announcement back a
(00:53):
couple of years ago in North Carolina. What's suck currently
going on on their site plan development site over in
Chatham County?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Good morning, Nick, thanks for having me. Well, not a
heck of a lot, as I have in the article.
You can hear those proverbial crickets chirping right now. There's
just been no activity from a year ago we had.
The latest update was that they were going to push
push the plant opening to twenty twenty eight, and this
(01:21):
plant was supposed to be up and running now for
at least over a good year or so. You know,
bring all these jobs and it's the plant is a
four billion dollar ev manufacturing plant. It was going to
be called the crown jewel of Vinfest. Well, the jewels
got a little bit of tarnish on it, and it
keeps growing as the years go by. So we wanted
(01:44):
to do an updodate because we're seeing a few new
articles popping up here and there about the status of
the company, where they're going, and it just seems like
their main focus has shifted away from the US. They
were also looking at Europe as well, and how that
bodes for North Carolina. Would have made the first auto
manufacturer in the state if it comes to fruition. I
(02:06):
also saw some other reports other places that Hyundai was
also thinking about relocating or locating a plant here. But
in terms of being the first plant, this was supposed
to be, you know, the big, big news. In twenty
twenty three. We had former Governor Roy Cooper there at
the groundbreaking with the officials from vin Fast. It was
just could be this wonderful thing that happened, but unfortunately
(02:29):
we're not hearing a lot. Hearing the same things from
like last year from the company and also from Chatham
County where this is being located, Mont Cure Triangle Innovation Point,
which has got some land cleared, and basically it's the
same story. Not much of anything's happening, but there are
(02:51):
some things we will go into that are happening, and
it's just not for the better, you.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Know, Teresa. Obviously, when we talk about business and now,
the business market is always volatile regardless of whether the
economy is good or bad. But predominantly when we're talking
about VinFast, we're talking about electric vehicles, which have seen
as huge surgeon demand over the last couple of years,
then a rapid decline in just the last twelve to
twenty four months. That industry in that entire sector is
(03:20):
shifting dramatically, even some domestic car makers for GM and
others announcing they're pulling back on their amount of EV expansion.
I would imagine some of that demand issue is causing
problems for the Vietnamese automaker.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I would imagine, so yes, And we're also looking at
the expiration of the seventy five hundred dollars federal tax
credit for electric vehicles that's going away on October first.
And also we've got some uncertainty of course surrounding tariffs
that's going to compound the company's challenges they have faced
so far in the United States. So you tie that
all together, it doesn't paint a really good picture for
(03:56):
this company.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Now you mentioned that they have maybe looked at some
other emerging markets after making that US announcement, after announcing
some of the plans to build that facility here in US.
It looks like while the company may not be necessarily
moving on the plant in Chatham County, they are expanding
in the Asia market. Correct, That is.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Correct, yep, so there they started that expansion last year.
They're in Indonesia, India, the Philippines. They're breaking ground on
a couple different factories over there, so and also expanding
in their own home country and Vietnam. So they are
still making It looks to be some progress, but yet
(04:39):
nothing much here. There are three dealerships I will mention
in North Carolina Apex, High Point and Charlotte does have
some Binfest dealerships and for seven other states across the country.
But that's all the US involvement this company has at
this point.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
So you highlighted in your article a couple of other
articles from places like Bloomberg and the Motley Fool. They
are looking at this company's overall financial picture, and Teresa,
they're asking, I think I would argue some pretty important questions.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Right right, So, you know, basically inside evs dot com
they said vin Fast, this is their quote. VinFast certainly tried,
but it's become clear that it's not really working according
to the plan for the US. The cars the brand
sells don't seem to be up to snuff for European
and American markets, and while losses have continued to mount.
(05:34):
You know, basically, the owner of VinFast has put up
two billion dollars of his own money to fund the company,
and they lost three point two billion last year. So
another report had Bloomberg saying that vin Fast is spending
a dollar fifty seven for every dollar of profit. Again,
that's that three point two billion dollar loss, and Motley
(05:56):
Fool basically is calling the company a money echoing inside
EV's article, they're also questioning whether Vinfest would shut its
doors and become the next Fisker. That was a company
with two failed American EV companies, like the head of that.
So you combine all of that with all the news
(06:17):
in the previous news they had before they had initial
bad reviews of their product, and it just seems like,
you know, there are some highs with this company, but
there are definitely a lot of lows. And again we're
still waiting to hear a lot more on are they coming,
are they still going to be coming in North Carolina?
What is the situation with that. It's like we're still
(06:38):
in a holding pattern. So it's it's a question that
actually needs to be asked because there's been so much
money promised with this company. We had the JD Grant's
money from Chatham County, which of course they don't get
unless they do produce the jobs. But we do have
the state which also ponying up money to you know,
(06:58):
clean up the site. They spend another four hundred and
fifty million on infrastructure around the site. As we said,
they're not going to get that back. That money is
already spent, it's going to be spent. So it's a
costly project to undertake if we're not sure what's going
to happen in the end.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Well, I'm glad you bring up the jad grants, Teresa.
Over the last couple of months, we've had a couple
of different stories looking at JADA grants, and unfortunately, if
you're playing this straight on the track record, many of
these projects that get announced do not come to their
full fruition. They are not getting necessarily that money. But
on the other side, you're noting that the state, regardless
(07:39):
of whether they're hitting these thresholds for the jay dig,
the state is investing one hundreds of millions of dollars
for roads and infrastructures. That money is gone, and you
could potentially be running infrastructure to an empty facility if
nothing ends up being built.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
That's right, that's right. I mean we mentioned the jay
digs track record. I think we had a story Curse
of the j DIG a while back, you know, as
a headline, And it doesn't seem like anything they shouldn't
say anything. Not much comes to fruition when it comes
to these grants. I mean, North Carolina is ranked number
one in business. It's got obviously a lot going for it.
(08:19):
You know, it's gonna be zero zeroing out the corporate
tax tax rate in the next couple of years, you know,
lowering the state income tax. So I get it when
you want to give incentives to companies, but it seems
like the way they're doing it with these JDG grants
is definitely not working. And you mentioned roads one of
(08:41):
the sad things about this story, and again human interest
stuff always touches me. We were talking about like how
they're going to have to use eminent domain to put
new roadways in to connect to this plant and a
various other things. There's gonna be a lot of homes
and businesses demolished, and a historic church. Unfortunately, that church,
(09:03):
Mary Oaks Baptist Church met the wrecking ball in June.
We do have some pictures and mention this in the article.
That church was standing there for all over one hundred
and thirty years since eighteen eighty eight, and it met
with a wrecking ball in June. You know it. It
really saddens me. And when things like this happen, and
(09:26):
maybe in the end, again this is speculation. Is this
project going to happen? Did that have to happen with
that church, people's homes, people's businesses. I guess the old
proverbial time will tell is what we're going to have
to watch out for.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Yeah, and again, Chadam County officials and folks from vin Fast,
the company themselves both the emailing Carolina Journal this week
saying that yes, the project is still on, the plane
has still happened, is on schedule to begin construction and
have some of that done in operational by twenty twenty eight.
But Teresa, obviously, looking at the track record here and
some of the financial information in your quote, I think
(10:03):
many would be probably hard pressed to believe the folks
from VinFast at least as of right now. But we
will continue to wait. You've got a lot more details,
links to the historic church, the Mary Oaks Baptist Church,
and some of those other articles you referenced this morning.
Where can folks go and read those details?
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Sure they can head on over to Carolina Journal dot com.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
It's a great update this morning. We appreciate the time.
Teresa Opeka joins us on the Carolina Journal News Hour.
It's my point, Hey, welcome back to the Carolina Journal
News Hour, Newstock eleven, ten ninety nine three WBT. The
North Carolina State Board of Elections had a public meeting
(10:45):
yesterday discussing a variety of issues. The first was the
board rejecting Sunday voting in two counties across our state
ahead of municipal elections later on this year. The state
board split along party lines yesterday, voting three to two
to reject Sunday voting in both Davidson and Union Counties
(11:05):
for the upcoming municipal elections. Republicans Francis de Luca, who
is the chair, Stacy Foreggers, and Robert Rucho backed the decision,
while the two Democrats in Carmen and Miller opposed the decision.
Davison County previously allowed Sunday voting, but the GOP majority
voted to accept the county's the county Board's plan excluding
(11:28):
the Sunday voting in the county, and in Union County,
a majority plan also admitted Sunday voting, despite a minority
proposal to allow two Sundays of early voting across that county. Now,
there was some debate on this, with board member Stacy
Foreggers saying, quote, there's been a divide among folks of
who I believe in earnest in their beliefs as to
(11:50):
various reasons for and against whether to have Sunday voting.
I know some of my colleagues who've served on this
board in the past have taken the stance the Sunday
is a day for rest, and that there ought to
and that they ought to not be voting on Sundays
at all, whereas other of my colleagues take the position
that we always should have had Sunday voting. And I
(12:11):
think each side has some merits, and I think each
argument has fa There are arguments on either side that
favor that decision. He personally said that it was a
mindful decision about the hard working county Board of Election
directors and their staff who would be working seventeen straight
(12:32):
days leading up to the election if Sunday voting was allowed. However,
board member Jeff Carmen, a Democrat, disagreed with that, saying
that Sunday voting had been popular in the past and
is needed with the growing population. During the board discussion,
Carmen said, quote, I agree with that. I just also
would say I don't want us to regress back to
(12:54):
a previous time and a previous voting system that did
not serve the people of North Carolina as well as
it had in recent years. The debate went on, however,
at the end of the day it is a three
to two Republican control board, and the Republicans voted in
favor of not allowing Sunday voting in Davidson and Union Counties.
(13:16):
The board also unanimously approved three early voting sites in
Cumberland County. Some of the other business taken up another
three to two party line vote, the board approved an
update to its registration repair project. You've heard us talk
about that over the last couple of months here on
the Carolina Journal News Hour. The project seeks to fix
(13:37):
nearly one hundred and ninety five thousand incomplete voter registration
records across the state of North Carolina. Those missing have
ID numbers, which include either the last four digits of
your Social Security number or your full North Carolina driver's
license or ID number. The update includes sending a second
round of mailings to voters whose driver's license, no number
(14:00):
or social Security numbers have not been validated by the
State Board of Elections, counting provisional ballots, using a continuing
rather provisional ballot use until missing information is provided, and
also reporting that more than twenty thousand voters have already
corrected their records. Democrats raise concerns about possible name change
(14:24):
mismatch affecting people across the state, but Republicans argued this
plan is the least intrusive option available, and they went
along with that in that three to two party line vote.
And finally, the Board took no public action on the
US Justice Departments may lawsuit against the State of North
Carolina and the State Board alleging deficiencies in voter registration
(14:48):
compliance with the Help America Vote Act. Court filings suggests
a potential settlement could be reviewed in closed session at
that meeting that did happen yesterday on August the twenty seven,
with a possible consent order submitted to a judge as
early as today. It is pretty common that when you
are discussing ongoing litigation or legal challenges in a setting
(15:11):
like this, whether you're talking about the State Board of Elections,
maybe even a local county commission or city council, that
they discuss ongoing litigation in closed session. That is a
very common practice. So we'll likely get an announcement from
the State Board once the Once all of this has
been submitted to a judge and is finalized. But those
(15:32):
were some of the actions taken at that meeting yesterday
ahead of municipal elections coming up later on this year.
You can read some additional details over on our website
Carolina Journal dot com That headline story n see election
boards drop Sunday voting into counties. Again those details over
at Carolina Journal dot com.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
Well.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Turning our attention to the busy holiday weekend, some good
news for domestic travelers. Flights, hotel tells, and car rentals
are cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year,
according to the study out from a Triple A Travel
looking at the last hurrah of summer Labor Day travel
(16:13):
across the United States. Stacey Barber, the vice president of
Triple A Travel, told the Road in a statement quote,
Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides one final
holiday weekend before the fall routine begins. The top cities
on domestic and internationalists for Labor Day weekend are Seattle
(16:35):
and Vancouver, both both port cities for Alaskan cruises. While
some people are going on a dream cruise or European vacation,
many travelers are staying closer to home and taking road
trips to nearby beaches or national parks. Domestic round trip
flights are six percent cheaper compared to where they were
(16:58):
last year, averaging seven and twenty dollars a ticket. Many
travelers are flying into Orlando, Florida, New York, New York, Denver, Colorado,
and Atlanta, Georgia for sight seeing, attractions and events. Triple
A booking data also shows hotel rates are eleven percent
lower than they were last year, and car rental rates
(17:20):
are about three percent compared to Labor Day twenty twenty four.
Triple A car rental partner Hurtz says that the top
destination based on advanced bookings are some of those other
cities we already talked about where flight traffic is expected
to increase Orlando, Denver, Boston, LA, and Atlanta. With the
busiest day to pick up rental cars heading your way tomorrow,
(17:42):
that's a Friday, August. The twenty ninth summer gas prices
have also remained low, matching summer averages going back to
twenty twenty one, so seeing some relief over the last
couple of years. Last year, the national average for a
gallon of regular gasoline was three dollars and thirty three
cents on Labor Day. Barring a tropical storm or hurricane
(18:03):
affecting Gulf Coast refineries, gas prices will stay below where
they were last year. So far in twenty twenty five,
gas prices have seen a few fluctuations thanks to steady
crude oil prices, and as it stands a right now,
obviously this number is a set to fluctuate potentially in
the next couple of days, but according to Triple A's
(18:25):
gas price tracker, they currently show the national average at
three dollars and twenty one cents. Here in North Carolina.
The average is well below that two dollars and ninety
cents across the state of North Carolina, so definitely some
relief compared to some of the Labor Day travels in
the past. The cost to internationally travel for those that
(18:47):
are doing so this Labor Day weekend, however, is a
mixed bag. While hotels are two percent cheaper, airfare is
eight percent more expensive. And it's interesting to note European
cities make up most of Triple A's tip international destinations,
but the number one spot belongs to Vancouver. This has
to do with Alaskan cruises wrapping up a strong season,
(19:10):
as Triple A projected earlier this year with their twenty
twenty five cruise forecast. All things considered, it does look
to be a busy Labor Day. Travel will be up,
prices are down for American consumers, a lot of folks
looking forward to that last vacation of the year ahead
of Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can track some additional details
(19:30):
on this great article over on the Triple A website
this morning. The headline there last Hurrah of summer. Top
Labor Day travel trends that is available over at Triple
a dot com. It's five thirty six. Welcome back to
The Carolina Journal News our Newstalk eleven ten ninety nine
(19:51):
to three WBT tracking some news across North Carolina this morning.
The Asheville City Council has amended the membership and appointment
criteria for their Human Relations Commission of Ashville, also known
as the HRCA. The city also filed a joint motion
on Tuesday in federal court with plaintiffs who challenged HRCA
(20:12):
membership rules. The motion asks a judge to enter an
order ending the dispute. So we go back to twenty eighteen.
That's when the HRCA was created, and it was designed
to promote human relations and advice to the City Council
of Asheville on issues of equality and inclusion. Its original
bylaws required that specific quotas be filled by individuals representing
(20:37):
certain demographics, including African Americans, LATEENX residents, LGBTQ, individual's, youth,
residents from each city district, and people with disabilities. In
twenty twenty two, facing difficulties filling vacancies, the city Council
reduced the commission from fifteen members to nine members, with
(20:58):
some quotas removed. However, the city maintained race and identity
based preferences when evaluating applicants for the HRCA. An individual
by the name of John Myall, who spent nearly three
decades working for the City of Asheville, applied in early
twenty twenty three to serve on the HRCA. His application
(21:19):
was denied, leading Mayall and four others to sue the city,
alleging they were rejected from the commission because of their race.
They're white. The five plaintiffs, working with the Pacific Legal Foundation,
claim in their lawsuit that Ashville's HRCA membership rules unlawfully
discriminate and prevent qualified applicants from serving on the city's
(21:42):
advisory board. The lawsuit reads, in part quote, no government
commission or committee should use an individual's race or ethnicity
to determine who gets an opportunity to serve their public.
Last Friday, attorneys for both sides submitted a proposed conu
sent to Cree that, if approved by a judge, would
(22:03):
end the case. That also required Asheville that the City
of Asheville end its current practices and ensure equal opportunity
on the HRCA by administering appointments without regards to race, ethnicity,
or national origin. Earlier this week, Asheville's City council meeting
(22:23):
took place and the item was brought up for considerations,
striking some of the discriminatory language from the membership criteria.
The Asheville city attorney described it as something that was
needed to be done for legal purposes. This is what
he had to say at the meeting on Tuesday night.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
I'll be happy to do so, Council Memberroni. This particular
item makes what I would call a minor modification to
the existing ordinance that deals only with the appointment process
for membership to the HRCA. This removes one subsection in
its entirety. The point of that essentially arose as a
(23:01):
result of a lawsuit that the city has been involved
in for some time regarding that particular board and the
way that the ordinance was originally worded. The city has
as part of this particular ordinance amendment, fully resolved that
litigation with no other liability for the city, and we've
done so in a way that's preserved all of the
existing membership Council's ability to ensure equal opportunity for that
(23:25):
board going forward, but to also ensure that we are
out of the woods with any kind of allegations of
discriminatory impact that could potentially result from these ordinance appointment measures.
So this essentially helps us resolve the lawsuit but withholds
and maintains the existing structure of the board.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
So that is the attorney for the City of Asheville
describing why they were going forward with this. The portion
that was struck reads as follows. Membership should reflect the
groups of individuals that the Human Relations program is intended
to assist and protect, including, but not limited to individuals
from different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, or backgrounds. It goes
(24:09):
on to note, quote, the consideration of appointments of members
shall provide equal access and opportunity to serve upon the
Commission to all historically disadvantaged groups, including, but not limiting,
the following black or African American, Latino or Hispanic individuals,
Native Americans, and Indigenous people, Asian Americans, members of the LGBTQ,
(24:33):
plus community, youth members between the ages of eighteen and
twenty five, individuals who live in public housing, individuals with
a disability or disabled individuals, and finally, individuals who are
recognized as community leaders. That was the membership criteria that
was previously enacted by the City of Ashville that was
(24:54):
up for debate at the meeting on Tuesday night. However,
not all of the board members were in agreement with
moving forward. This is one of the Democrat members of
the city Council in Asheville.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Thank you for that answer. So I'm going to maintain
my position as I did in the closed session about
this and voting no. And I wanted to share just
a small amount of my why I was not on
council when the HRCA was formed, but we had a
number of data sets explaining racial inequities, inequities in our
(25:26):
schools and access to education, pay inequities, housing inequities, issues
with ADA compliance across our transportation network, so many struggles
in ways that prove that we should do better by
each other. And this board, when it says in its
(25:49):
list who's meant to bring their professional experience, who should
we invite, it's like a reminder to me of who's
most impacted and who's left behind. So often when we
think about folks with disabilities, I think of my friend
pri Array at DLA Abled and how she reminds us
that all of us will have a disability at some
point in our life, even if it's for a very
(26:09):
narrow window. So when we design our city for everyone,
it's good for all of us. And so that's the
spirit of why I've taken the position I am today.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Well now here from the Mayor of the City of
Ashville on why she is in favor of agreeing with
the attorney and removing some of these requirements.
Speaker 5 (26:29):
And I appreciate that. Counsel Man Roney, you know, I'd
just like to add some context for this as most
people know, we have a change in leadership in Washington
and a cancelation of all things DEI, and unfortunately we
are being sued over this the way we've worded the
(26:49):
appointment process for this committee. So while I would love
to vote with you, Counsel Monroney, we do have to
make these changes or we could potentially be facing long
living that we're likely to not prevail on and end
up incurring attorneys fees and paying the other sides attorneys fees.
So sometimes we have to be pragmatic in the way
(27:11):
that we resolve things to save tax dollars, but be
able to at least preserve a commission that we know
is doing good work and concentrating on things that are
very important to our community. It's an unfortunate reality that
we're having to navigate in this new regime, and that
(27:32):
I know it's tough for all of counsel so we
can't all vote, know, but I appreciate you symbolically doing
so in protest of having to make such a change.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Thank you so much for the response and the opportunity
to comment. I will add that sometimes we can't do anything,
and sometimes we should do what we can like fighting
for human and civil rights and our constitutional rights, and
that's something that our community needs us to do. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
Well, I wasn't trying to get into it thing, but
I guess you're saying you want to continue with the litigation.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
So I've stated my position. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
As you can hear back and forth, even the progressive
members of the Asheville City Council, which is exclusively controlled
by Democrats, having problems dealing with this going forward, even
though they were open to litigation. The vote did end
up passing two members of the Ashville City Council and
not agreeing with the recommendations from the attorney. However, it
(28:28):
did pass. The lead attorney for the five plaintiffs of
the Pacific Legal Foundation called the outcome a significant milestone,
saying in a press release quote, this is a victory
not just for our clients, but for every resident of
Asheville who values equal treatment under the law. The government
has no business telling people they can't serve their community
(28:50):
based on the color of their skin. This, of course,
all comes as a dei. Movements at the national level
have began to be dismantled by the Trump administration. Lawsuits
flying around all over the country, including here in North Carolina.
You can read some additional details about this story some
of the background legal aspects of it by visiting our
(29:11):
website Carolina Journal dot combat. Story's headline is Ashville agrees
to eliminate race based commission criteria again. That's over on
our website Carolina Journal dot com. It's time for the
sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood Drive coming up next Thursday,
(29:32):
September fourth, WBT and the One Blood, Big Red Bus.
We'll be at the Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte from ten
am to three pm. We'll be broadcasting live and encouraging
you to make a life saving blood donation. It's the
sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood Drive coming up next Thursday,
September fourth, at the Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte. It's now
(29:54):
five point fifty three. Welcome back to the Carolina Journal
News Hour News TAK eleven ten ninety nine three WBT
in some statewide news this morning, continuing to track some
of the issues with VinFast, the Vietnamese electrical vehicle maker
who hosted a groundbreaking of ceremony at a facility in
Chatham County more than two years ago and continues to
(30:18):
struggle with a timeline on getting that site completed. Little,
if anything, has changed with the site since the company
announced in July of last year that it plans to
delay the factory's opening until twenty twenty eight. At that time,
then Chatham County manager told Carolina Journal in a statement
that despite the delays, they were confident that there was
(30:40):
no change in Vinfast's scope or vision for the project
in Chatham County. Fast forward to where we this morning.
Chatham County continues to make those statements, with the new
county manager telling Carolina Journal quote, Chatham County has not
been made aware of any changes in VinFast scope or
(31:00):
vision for the project, and we maintain our support for
the project. Using the states a Transformative Job Development and
Investment Grant, VinFast could get up to three hundred and
sixteen million dollars in reimbursements from the State of North
Carolina over a three decade period of time if the
company meets hiring goals and standards. The state is spending
(31:24):
another four hundred and fifty million dollars on infrastructure around
the site. The total state appropriation is estimated to be
in the ballpark of seven hundred and sixty six million dollars,
with Chatham County giving VinFast another four hundred million dollars
worth of incentives. While it does have three dealerships in
(31:44):
North Carolina Apex, High Point and Charlotte, as well as
seven other states, focus shifted to Asia last year with
a groundbreaking on an EVY assembly plant in Indonesia. It
is also pivoted to markets in India and the Philippines.
When asked about an update on the Chatham County project,
a spokesperson for VinFast told The Carolina Journal in a
(32:08):
statement this week that the company has a comprehensive development
strategy for its markets, with the United States being a
key focus. The email reads quote, Vinfast's expansion in Asia
is an important part of our overall growth strategy to
promote global transportation electrification. VinFast is committed to operating and
(32:30):
growing its businesses in the United States. We continue to
sell our VF eight and VF nine models in the
US while expanding our dealership network. We currently have nearly
thirty dealerships across fourteen states, with plans to continue expansion nationwide. However,
those familiar with the ev industry and financial markets are
(32:53):
highly skeptical about Vinfast's chances in the United States and Europe,
with multiple ports out over the last couple of weeks
from websites inside evs dot Com, Bloomberg, and The Motley
Fool all looking at vin FAST's financial future and talking
about some of its struggles, including the fact in a
(33:14):
recent Bloomberg article that vin fast is spending one dollar
and fifty seven cents for every one dollar of profit,
meaning that vin Fast lost in the neighborhood of three
point two billion dollars last year. That has caused the
VinFast founder to put up two billion dollars of his
own money to continue to help funding the company and
(33:35):
their continued growth. Financial and investing advice company The Motley
Fool called the company a quote money pit, echoing other
claims from those inside the EV sector, also noting that
all all in all, that they would not be surprised that,
being the Motley Fool, would not be surprised whether vin
fast would shut its doors and become yet another failed
(33:58):
EV startup that is are trying to expand in the
United States. There are still a lot of questions, I
may argue, more questions than answers this morning about the
future of the Vietnamese automaker and its expansive plant set
to be built in Shatham County, North Carolina. We've got
a lot of background on everything that has gone on
(34:18):
over the last couple of years. You can read those
details this morning over on our website at Carolina Journal
dot com. Well, that's going to do it for a
Thursday edition at WBT News is next, followed by Good
Morning BT. We're back with you tomorrow morning, five to
six right here on Newstalk eleven, ten and ninety nine
to three WBT
It's five oh five.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Good morning.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Do you welcome into the Carolina Journal News Hour, Newstock eleven,
ten ninety nine to three WBT. I'm Nick Craig. We
cover a lot of business announcements over on our website,
Carolina Journal dot com and then of course bring them
to you here on the Carolina Journal News Hour, many
of them large projects many years away. But unfortunately sometimes
(00:30):
these projects, while in the announcements are great, the projects
do not necessarily make their way into full completion. To
walk us through some details this morning on a company
that has been in the talks for a couple of
years here in North Carolina, Teresopeka from Carolina Journal dot
com joins us to talk about VinFast. They are a
Vietnamese electric vehicle maker. To resee the announcement back a
(00:53):
couple of years ago in North Carolina. What's suck currently
going on on their site plan development site over in
Chatham County?
Speaker 3 (01:01):
Good morning, Nick, thanks for having me. Well, not a
heck of a lot, as I have in the article.
You can hear those proverbial crickets chirping right now. There's
just been no activity from a year ago we had.
The latest update was that they were going to push
push the plant opening to twenty twenty eight, and this
(01:21):
plant was supposed to be up and running now for
at least over a good year or so. You know,
bring all these jobs and it's the plant is a
four billion dollar ev manufacturing plant. It was going to
be called the crown jewel of Vinfest. Well, the jewels
got a little bit of tarnish on it, and it
keeps growing as the years go by. So we wanted
(01:44):
to do an updodate because we're seeing a few new
articles popping up here and there about the status of
the company, where they're going, and it just seems like
their main focus has shifted away from the US. They
were also looking at Europe as well, and how that
bodes for North Carolina. Would have made the first auto
manufacturer in the state if it comes to fruition. I
(02:06):
also saw some other reports other places that Hyundai was
also thinking about relocating or locating a plant here. But
in terms of being the first plant, this was supposed
to be, you know, the big, big news. In twenty
twenty three. We had former Governor Roy Cooper there at
the groundbreaking with the officials from vin Fast. It was
just could be this wonderful thing that happened, but unfortunately
(02:29):
we're not hearing a lot. Hearing the same things from
like last year from the company and also from Chatham
County where this is being located, Mont Cure Triangle Innovation Point,
which has got some land cleared, and basically it's the
same story. Not much of anything's happening, but there are
(02:51):
some things we will go into that are happening, and
it's just not for the better, you.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Know, Teresa. Obviously, when we talk about business and now,
the business market is always volatile regardless of whether the
economy is good or bad. But predominantly when we're talking
about VinFast, we're talking about electric vehicles, which have seen
as huge surgeon demand over the last couple of years,
then a rapid decline in just the last twelve to
twenty four months. That industry in that entire sector is
(03:20):
shifting dramatically, even some domestic car makers for GM and
others announcing they're pulling back on their amount of EV expansion.
I would imagine some of that demand issue is causing
problems for the Vietnamese automaker.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
I would imagine, so yes, And we're also looking at
the expiration of the seventy five hundred dollars federal tax
credit for electric vehicles that's going away on October first.
And also we've got some uncertainty of course surrounding tariffs
that's going to compound the company's challenges they have faced
so far in the United States. So you tie that
all together, it doesn't paint a really good picture for
(03:56):
this company.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Now you mentioned that they have maybe looked at some
other emerging markets after making that US announcement, after announcing
some of the plans to build that facility here in US.
It looks like while the company may not be necessarily
moving on the plant in Chatham County, they are expanding
in the Asia market. Correct, That is.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Correct, yep, so there they started that expansion last year.
They're in Indonesia, India, the Philippines. They're breaking ground on
a couple different factories over there, so and also expanding
in their own home country and Vietnam. So they are
still making It looks to be some progress, but yet
(04:39):
nothing much here. There are three dealerships I will mention
in North Carolina Apex, High Point and Charlotte does have
some Binfest dealerships and for seven other states across the country.
But that's all the US involvement this company has at
this point.
Speaker 1 (04:55):
So you highlighted in your article a couple of other
articles from places like Bloomberg and the Motley Fool. They
are looking at this company's overall financial picture, and Teresa,
they're asking, I think I would argue some pretty important questions.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Right right, So, you know, basically inside evs dot com
they said vin Fast, this is their quote. VinFast certainly tried,
but it's become clear that it's not really working according
to the plan for the US. The cars the brand
sells don't seem to be up to snuff for European
and American markets, and while losses have continued to mount.
(05:34):
You know, basically, the owner of VinFast has put up
two billion dollars of his own money to fund the company,
and they lost three point two billion last year. So
another report had Bloomberg saying that vin Fast is spending
a dollar fifty seven for every dollar of profit. Again,
that's that three point two billion dollar loss, and Motley
(05:56):
Fool basically is calling the company a money echoing inside
EV's article, they're also questioning whether Vinfest would shut its
doors and become the next Fisker. That was a company
with two failed American EV companies, like the head of that.
So you combine all of that with all the news
(06:17):
in the previous news they had before they had initial
bad reviews of their product, and it just seems like,
you know, there are some highs with this company, but
there are definitely a lot of lows. And again we're
still waiting to hear a lot more on are they coming,
are they still going to be coming in North Carolina?
What is the situation with that. It's like we're still
(06:38):
in a holding pattern. So it's it's a question that
actually needs to be asked because there's been so much
money promised with this company. We had the JD Grant's
money from Chatham County, which of course they don't get
unless they do produce the jobs. But we do have
the state which also ponying up money to you know,
(06:58):
clean up the site. They spend another four hundred and
fifty million on infrastructure around the site. As we said,
they're not going to get that back. That money is
already spent, it's going to be spent. So it's a
costly project to undertake if we're not sure what's going
to happen in the end.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Well, I'm glad you bring up the jad grants, Teresa.
Over the last couple of months, we've had a couple
of different stories looking at JADA grants, and unfortunately, if
you're playing this straight on the track record, many of
these projects that get announced do not come to their
full fruition. They are not getting necessarily that money. But
on the other side, you're noting that the state, regardless
(07:39):
of whether they're hitting these thresholds for the jay dig,
the state is investing one hundreds of millions of dollars
for roads and infrastructures. That money is gone, and you
could potentially be running infrastructure to an empty facility if
nothing ends up being built.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
That's right, that's right. I mean we mentioned the jay
digs track record. I think we had a story Curse
of the j DIG a while back, you know, as
a headline, And it doesn't seem like anything they shouldn't
say anything. Not much comes to fruition when it comes
to these grants. I mean, North Carolina is ranked number
one in business. It's got obviously a lot going for it.
(08:19):
You know, it's gonna be zero zeroing out the corporate
tax tax rate in the next couple of years, you know,
lowering the state income tax. So I get it when
you want to give incentives to companies, but it seems
like the way they're doing it with these JDG grants
is definitely not working. And you mentioned roads one of
(08:41):
the sad things about this story, and again human interest
stuff always touches me. We were talking about like how
they're going to have to use eminent domain to put
new roadways in to connect to this plant and a
various other things. There's gonna be a lot of homes
and businesses demolished, and a historic church. Unfortunately, that church,
(09:03):
Mary Oaks Baptist Church met the wrecking ball in June.
We do have some pictures and mention this in the article.
That church was standing there for all over one hundred
and thirty years since eighteen eighty eight, and it met
with a wrecking ball in June. You know it. It
really saddens me. And when things like this happen, and
(09:26):
maybe in the end, again this is speculation. Is this
project going to happen? Did that have to happen with
that church, people's homes, people's businesses. I guess the old
proverbial time will tell is what we're going to have
to watch out for.
Speaker 1 (09:40):
Yeah, and again, Chadam County officials and folks from vin Fast,
the company themselves both the emailing Carolina Journal this week
saying that yes, the project is still on, the plane
has still happened, is on schedule to begin construction and
have some of that done in operational by twenty twenty eight.
But Teresa, obviously, looking at the track record here and
some of the financial information in your quote, I think
(10:03):
many would be probably hard pressed to believe the folks
from VinFast at least as of right now. But we
will continue to wait. You've got a lot more details,
links to the historic church, the Mary Oaks Baptist Church,
and some of those other articles you referenced this morning.
Where can folks go and read those details?
Speaker 3 (10:20):
Sure they can head on over to Carolina Journal dot com.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
It's a great update this morning. We appreciate the time.
Teresa Opeka joins us on the Carolina Journal News Hour.
It's my point, Hey, welcome back to the Carolina Journal
News Hour, Newstock eleven, ten ninety nine three WBT. The
North Carolina State Board of Elections had a public meeting
(10:45):
yesterday discussing a variety of issues. The first was the
board rejecting Sunday voting in two counties across our state
ahead of municipal elections later on this year. The state
board split along party lines yesterday, voting three to two
to reject Sunday voting in both Davidson and Union Counties
(11:05):
for the upcoming municipal elections. Republicans Francis de Luca, who
is the chair, Stacy Foreggers, and Robert Rucho backed the decision,
while the two Democrats in Carmen and Miller opposed the decision.
Davison County previously allowed Sunday voting, but the GOP majority
voted to accept the county's the county Board's plan excluding
(11:28):
the Sunday voting in the county, and in Union County,
a majority plan also admitted Sunday voting, despite a minority
proposal to allow two Sundays of early voting across that county. Now,
there was some debate on this, with board member Stacy
Foreggers saying, quote, there's been a divide among folks of
who I believe in earnest in their beliefs as to
(11:50):
various reasons for and against whether to have Sunday voting.
I know some of my colleagues who've served on this
board in the past have taken the stance the Sunday
is a day for rest, and that there ought to
and that they ought to not be voting on Sundays
at all, whereas other of my colleagues take the position
that we always should have had Sunday voting. And I
(12:11):
think each side has some merits, and I think each
argument has fa There are arguments on either side that
favor that decision. He personally said that it was a
mindful decision about the hard working county Board of Election
directors and their staff who would be working seventeen straight
(12:32):
days leading up to the election if Sunday voting was allowed. However,
board member Jeff Carmen, a Democrat, disagreed with that, saying
that Sunday voting had been popular in the past and
is needed with the growing population. During the board discussion,
Carmen said, quote, I agree with that. I just also
would say I don't want us to regress back to
(12:54):
a previous time and a previous voting system that did
not serve the people of North Carolina as well as
it had in recent years. The debate went on, however,
at the end of the day it is a three
to two Republican control board, and the Republicans voted in
favor of not allowing Sunday voting in Davidson and Union Counties.
(13:16):
The board also unanimously approved three early voting sites in
Cumberland County. Some of the other business taken up another
three to two party line vote, the board approved an
update to its registration repair project. You've heard us talk
about that over the last couple of months here on
the Carolina Journal News Hour. The project seeks to fix
(13:37):
nearly one hundred and ninety five thousand incomplete voter registration
records across the state of North Carolina. Those missing have
ID numbers, which include either the last four digits of
your Social Security number or your full North Carolina driver's
license or ID number. The update includes sending a second
round of mailings to voters whose driver's license, no number
(14:00):
or social Security numbers have not been validated by the
State Board of Elections, counting provisional ballots, using a continuing
rather provisional ballot use until missing information is provided, and
also reporting that more than twenty thousand voters have already
corrected their records. Democrats raise concerns about possible name change
(14:24):
mismatch affecting people across the state, but Republicans argued this
plan is the least intrusive option available, and they went
along with that in that three to two party line vote.
And finally, the Board took no public action on the
US Justice Departments may lawsuit against the State of North
Carolina and the State Board alleging deficiencies in voter registration
(14:48):
compliance with the Help America Vote Act. Court filings suggests
a potential settlement could be reviewed in closed session at
that meeting that did happen yesterday on August the twenty seven,
with a possible consent order submitted to a judge as
early as today. It is pretty common that when you
are discussing ongoing litigation or legal challenges in a setting
(15:11):
like this, whether you're talking about the State Board of Elections,
maybe even a local county commission or city council, that
they discuss ongoing litigation in closed session. That is a
very common practice. So we'll likely get an announcement from
the State Board once the Once all of this has
been submitted to a judge and is finalized. But those
(15:32):
were some of the actions taken at that meeting yesterday
ahead of municipal elections coming up later on this year.
You can read some additional details over on our website
Carolina Journal dot com That headline story n see election
boards drop Sunday voting into counties. Again those details over
at Carolina Journal dot com.
Speaker 4 (15:52):
Well.
Speaker 1 (15:52):
Turning our attention to the busy holiday weekend, some good
news for domestic travelers. Flights, hotel tells, and car rentals
are cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year,
according to the study out from a Triple A Travel
looking at the last hurrah of summer Labor Day travel
(16:13):
across the United States. Stacey Barber, the vice president of
Triple A Travel, told the Road in a statement quote,
Labor Day caps off summer travel and provides one final
holiday weekend before the fall routine begins. The top cities
on domestic and internationalists for Labor Day weekend are Seattle
(16:35):
and Vancouver, both both port cities for Alaskan cruises. While
some people are going on a dream cruise or European vacation,
many travelers are staying closer to home and taking road
trips to nearby beaches or national parks. Domestic round trip
flights are six percent cheaper compared to where they were
(16:58):
last year, averaging seven and twenty dollars a ticket. Many
travelers are flying into Orlando, Florida, New York, New York, Denver, Colorado,
and Atlanta, Georgia for sight seeing, attractions and events. Triple
A booking data also shows hotel rates are eleven percent
lower than they were last year, and car rental rates
(17:20):
are about three percent compared to Labor Day twenty twenty four.
Triple A car rental partner Hurtz says that the top
destination based on advanced bookings are some of those other
cities we already talked about where flight traffic is expected
to increase Orlando, Denver, Boston, LA, and Atlanta. With the
busiest day to pick up rental cars heading your way tomorrow,
(17:42):
that's a Friday, August. The twenty ninth summer gas prices
have also remained low, matching summer averages going back to
twenty twenty one, so seeing some relief over the last
couple of years. Last year, the national average for a
gallon of regular gasoline was three dollars and thirty three
cents on Labor Day. Barring a tropical storm or hurricane
(18:03):
affecting Gulf Coast refineries, gas prices will stay below where
they were last year. So far in twenty twenty five,
gas prices have seen a few fluctuations thanks to steady
crude oil prices, and as it stands a right now,
obviously this number is a set to fluctuate potentially in
the next couple of days, but according to Triple A's
(18:25):
gas price tracker, they currently show the national average at
three dollars and twenty one cents. Here in North Carolina.
The average is well below that two dollars and ninety
cents across the state of North Carolina, so definitely some
relief compared to some of the Labor Day travels in
the past. The cost to internationally travel for those that
(18:47):
are doing so this Labor Day weekend, however, is a
mixed bag. While hotels are two percent cheaper, airfare is
eight percent more expensive. And it's interesting to note European
cities make up most of Triple A's tip international destinations,
but the number one spot belongs to Vancouver. This has
to do with Alaskan cruises wrapping up a strong season,
(19:10):
as Triple A projected earlier this year with their twenty
twenty five cruise forecast. All things considered, it does look
to be a busy Labor Day. Travel will be up,
prices are down for American consumers, a lot of folks
looking forward to that last vacation of the year ahead
of Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can track some additional details
(19:30):
on this great article over on the Triple A website
this morning. The headline there last Hurrah of summer. Top
Labor Day travel trends that is available over at Triple
a dot com. It's five thirty six. Welcome back to
The Carolina Journal News our Newstalk eleven ten ninety nine
(19:51):
to three WBT tracking some news across North Carolina this morning.
The Asheville City Council has amended the membership and appointment
criteria for their Human Relations Commission of Ashville, also known
as the HRCA. The city also filed a joint motion
on Tuesday in federal court with plaintiffs who challenged HRCA
(20:12):
membership rules. The motion asks a judge to enter an
order ending the dispute. So we go back to twenty eighteen.
That's when the HRCA was created, and it was designed
to promote human relations and advice to the City Council
of Asheville on issues of equality and inclusion. Its original
bylaws required that specific quotas be filled by individuals representing
(20:37):
certain demographics, including African Americans, LATEENX residents, LGBTQ, individual's, youth,
residents from each city district, and people with disabilities. In
twenty twenty two, facing difficulties filling vacancies, the city Council
reduced the commission from fifteen members to nine members, with
(20:58):
some quotas removed. However, the city maintained race and identity
based preferences when evaluating applicants for the HRCA. An individual
by the name of John Myall, who spent nearly three
decades working for the City of Asheville, applied in early
twenty twenty three to serve on the HRCA. His application
(21:19):
was denied, leading Mayall and four others to sue the city,
alleging they were rejected from the commission because of their race.
They're white. The five plaintiffs, working with the Pacific Legal Foundation,
claim in their lawsuit that Ashville's HRCA membership rules unlawfully
discriminate and prevent qualified applicants from serving on the city's
(21:42):
advisory board. The lawsuit reads, in part quote, no government
commission or committee should use an individual's race or ethnicity
to determine who gets an opportunity to serve their public.
Last Friday, attorneys for both sides submitted a proposed conu
sent to Cree that, if approved by a judge, would
(22:03):
end the case. That also required Asheville that the City
of Asheville end its current practices and ensure equal opportunity
on the HRCA by administering appointments without regards to race, ethnicity,
or national origin. Earlier this week, Asheville's City council meeting
(22:23):
took place and the item was brought up for considerations,
striking some of the discriminatory language from the membership criteria.
The Asheville city attorney described it as something that was
needed to be done for legal purposes. This is what
he had to say at the meeting on Tuesday night.
Speaker 4 (22:41):
I'll be happy to do so, Council Memberroni. This particular
item makes what I would call a minor modification to
the existing ordinance that deals only with the appointment process
for membership to the HRCA. This removes one subsection in
its entirety. The point of that essentially arose as a
(23:01):
result of a lawsuit that the city has been involved
in for some time regarding that particular board and the
way that the ordinance was originally worded. The city has
as part of this particular ordinance amendment, fully resolved that
litigation with no other liability for the city, and we've
done so in a way that's preserved all of the
existing membership Council's ability to ensure equal opportunity for that
(23:25):
board going forward, but to also ensure that we are
out of the woods with any kind of allegations of
discriminatory impact that could potentially result from these ordinance appointment measures.
So this essentially helps us resolve the lawsuit but withholds
and maintains the existing structure of the board.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
So that is the attorney for the City of Asheville
describing why they were going forward with this. The portion
that was struck reads as follows. Membership should reflect the
groups of individuals that the Human Relations program is intended
to assist and protect, including, but not limited to individuals
from different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, or backgrounds. It goes
(24:09):
on to note, quote, the consideration of appointments of members
shall provide equal access and opportunity to serve upon the
Commission to all historically disadvantaged groups, including, but not limiting,
the following black or African American, Latino or Hispanic individuals,
Native Americans, and Indigenous people, Asian Americans, members of the LGBTQ,
(24:33):
plus community, youth members between the ages of eighteen and
twenty five, individuals who live in public housing, individuals with
a disability or disabled individuals, and finally, individuals who are
recognized as community leaders. That was the membership criteria that
was previously enacted by the City of Ashville that was
(24:54):
up for debate at the meeting on Tuesday night. However,
not all of the board members were in agreement with
moving forward. This is one of the Democrat members of
the city Council in Asheville.
Speaker 2 (25:05):
Thank you for that answer. So I'm going to maintain
my position as I did in the closed session about
this and voting no. And I wanted to share just
a small amount of my why I was not on
council when the HRCA was formed, but we had a
number of data sets explaining racial inequities, inequities in our
(25:26):
schools and access to education, pay inequities, housing inequities, issues
with ADA compliance across our transportation network, so many struggles
in ways that prove that we should do better by
each other. And this board, when it says in its
(25:49):
list who's meant to bring their professional experience, who should
we invite, it's like a reminder to me of who's
most impacted and who's left behind. So often when we
think about folks with disabilities, I think of my friend
pri Array at DLA Abled and how she reminds us
that all of us will have a disability at some
point in our life, even if it's for a very
(26:09):
narrow window. So when we design our city for everyone,
it's good for all of us. And so that's the
spirit of why I've taken the position I am today.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
Well now here from the Mayor of the City of
Ashville on why she is in favor of agreeing with
the attorney and removing some of these requirements.
Speaker 5 (26:29):
And I appreciate that. Counsel Man Roney, you know, I'd
just like to add some context for this as most
people know, we have a change in leadership in Washington
and a cancelation of all things DEI, and unfortunately we
are being sued over this the way we've worded the
(26:49):
appointment process for this committee. So while I would love
to vote with you, Counsel Monroney, we do have to
make these changes or we could potentially be facing long
living that we're likely to not prevail on and end
up incurring attorneys fees and paying the other sides attorneys fees.
So sometimes we have to be pragmatic in the way
(27:11):
that we resolve things to save tax dollars, but be
able to at least preserve a commission that we know
is doing good work and concentrating on things that are
very important to our community. It's an unfortunate reality that
we're having to navigate in this new regime, and that
(27:32):
I know it's tough for all of counsel so we
can't all vote, know, but I appreciate you symbolically doing
so in protest of having to make such a change.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
Thank you so much for the response and the opportunity
to comment. I will add that sometimes we can't do anything,
and sometimes we should do what we can like fighting
for human and civil rights and our constitutional rights, and
that's something that our community needs us to do. Thank you.
Speaker 5 (27:57):
Well, I wasn't trying to get into it thing, but
I guess you're saying you want to continue with the litigation.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
So I've stated my position. Thank you.
Speaker 1 (28:08):
As you can hear back and forth, even the progressive
members of the Asheville City Council, which is exclusively controlled
by Democrats, having problems dealing with this going forward, even
though they were open to litigation. The vote did end
up passing two members of the Ashville City Council and
not agreeing with the recommendations from the attorney. However, it
(28:28):
did pass. The lead attorney for the five plaintiffs of
the Pacific Legal Foundation called the outcome a significant milestone,
saying in a press release quote, this is a victory
not just for our clients, but for every resident of
Asheville who values equal treatment under the law. The government
has no business telling people they can't serve their community
(28:50):
based on the color of their skin. This, of course,
all comes as a dei. Movements at the national level
have began to be dismantled by the Trump administration. Lawsuits
flying around all over the country, including here in North Carolina.
You can read some additional details about this story some
of the background legal aspects of it by visiting our
(29:11):
website Carolina Journal dot combat. Story's headline is Ashville agrees
to eliminate race based commission criteria again. That's over on
our website Carolina Journal dot com. It's time for the
sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood Drive coming up next Thursday,
(29:32):
September fourth, WBT and the One Blood, Big Red Bus.
We'll be at the Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte from ten
am to three pm. We'll be broadcasting live and encouraging
you to make a life saving blood donation. It's the
sixth annual WBT Little Heroes Blood Drive coming up next Thursday,
September fourth, at the Doghouse in Uptown Charlotte. It's now
(29:54):
five point fifty three. Welcome back to the Carolina Journal
News Hour News TAK eleven ten ninety nine three WBT
in some statewide news this morning, continuing to track some
of the issues with VinFast, the Vietnamese electrical vehicle maker
who hosted a groundbreaking of ceremony at a facility in
Chatham County more than two years ago and continues to
(30:18):
struggle with a timeline on getting that site completed. Little,
if anything, has changed with the site since the company
announced in July of last year that it plans to
delay the factory's opening until twenty twenty eight. At that time,
then Chatham County manager told Carolina Journal in a statement
that despite the delays, they were confident that there was
(30:40):
no change in Vinfast's scope or vision for the project
in Chatham County. Fast forward to where we this morning.
Chatham County continues to make those statements, with the new
county manager telling Carolina Journal quote, Chatham County has not
been made aware of any changes in VinFast scope or
(31:00):
vision for the project, and we maintain our support for
the project. Using the states a Transformative Job Development and
Investment Grant, VinFast could get up to three hundred and
sixteen million dollars in reimbursements from the State of North
Carolina over a three decade period of time if the
company meets hiring goals and standards. The state is spending
(31:24):
another four hundred and fifty million dollars on infrastructure around
the site. The total state appropriation is estimated to be
in the ballpark of seven hundred and sixty six million dollars,
with Chatham County giving VinFast another four hundred million dollars
worth of incentives. While it does have three dealerships in
(31:44):
North Carolina Apex, High Point and Charlotte, as well as
seven other states, focus shifted to Asia last year with
a groundbreaking on an EVY assembly plant in Indonesia. It
is also pivoted to markets in India and the Philippines.
When asked about an update on the Chatham County project,
a spokesperson for VinFast told The Carolina Journal in a
(32:08):
statement this week that the company has a comprehensive development
strategy for its markets, with the United States being a
key focus. The email reads quote, Vinfast's expansion in Asia
is an important part of our overall growth strategy to
promote global transportation electrification. VinFast is committed to operating and
(32:30):
growing its businesses in the United States. We continue to
sell our VF eight and VF nine models in the
US while expanding our dealership network. We currently have nearly
thirty dealerships across fourteen states, with plans to continue expansion nationwide. However,
those familiar with the ev industry and financial markets are
(32:53):
highly skeptical about Vinfast's chances in the United States and Europe,
with multiple ports out over the last couple of weeks
from websites inside evs dot Com, Bloomberg, and The Motley
Fool all looking at vin FAST's financial future and talking
about some of its struggles, including the fact in a
(33:14):
recent Bloomberg article that vin fast is spending one dollar
and fifty seven cents for every one dollar of profit,
meaning that vin Fast lost in the neighborhood of three
point two billion dollars last year. That has caused the
VinFast founder to put up two billion dollars of his
own money to continue to help funding the company and
(33:35):
their continued growth. Financial and investing advice company The Motley
Fool called the company a quote money pit, echoing other
claims from those inside the EV sector, also noting that
all all in all, that they would not be surprised that,
being the Motley Fool, would not be surprised whether vin
fast would shut its doors and become yet another failed
(33:58):
EV startup that is are trying to expand in the
United States. There are still a lot of questions, I
may argue, more questions than answers this morning about the
future of the Vietnamese automaker and its expansive plant set
to be built in Shatham County, North Carolina. We've got
a lot of background on everything that has gone on
(34:18):
over the last couple of years. You can read those
details this morning over on our website at Carolina Journal
dot com. Well, that's going to do it for a
Thursday edition at WBT News is next, followed by Good
Morning BT. We're back with you tomorrow morning, five to
six right here on Newstalk eleven, ten and ninety nine
to three WBT
Popular Podcasts
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com