Tuesday, Dec. 2: Commission Leadership + Construction Shortage + Major Investment
Tuesday, Dec. 2
Your local news briefing
5 Headlines You Should Know Today
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Commission Leadership: Mike Lee elected Durham County commissioners chair; Allam named vice chair.
Durham County commissioners have chosen Mike Lee as chair and Nida Allam as vice chair. Lee, a former school board member and current Avalara employee (and occasional school bus driver!), succeeds Allam, the first Muslim American woman elected in NC. The board selects its leadership each December.
Construction Shortage: Triangle Healthcare Summit warns electrician deficit could delay hospital projects.
Experts at the 2025 Healthcare Summit warn workforce shortages—especially electricians—could slow hospital expansion in the Triangle. Many skilled workers are tied up in data centers, highlighting the challenge of matching economic growth with healthcare needs.
Major Investment: Ypsomed to build $250M injection-device plant in Holly Springs.
Ypsomed is building its first U.S. manufacturing plant at The Yield in Holly Springs. The 160,000-square-foot facility will produce self-injection systems, initially creating 100 jobs with growth to 200. Commercial production is expected by 2028.
Historic Recognition: Merrick-Moore designated Durham’s first Heritage Community honoring Black legacy.
Durham has designated Merrick-Moore as its first Heritage Community. A historical marker outside Mount Zoar Baptist Church celebrates the historically Black neighborhood and its founders, John Merrick and Dr. Aaron Moore, amid ongoing development.
Food Insecurity: Raleigh pay-what-you-can café strained as demand for meals rises.
A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you-can café, is seeing record demand. About 75% of patrons now pay less or volunteer, reflecting rising local food insecurity. Founder Maggie Kane emphasizes the challenge: “We’re just trying to stay open.”
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