RALEIGH, NC-A partnership comprising locally based Progress Energy Inc., Eastern North Carolina Natural Gas Co. and Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corp. plans to serve 14 area counties. Raleigh is 150 miles northeast of Downtown Charlotte.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC-Locally based Diversified Senior Services Inc. is lining up new development sites and wants to stay in the North Carolina market because of higher Medicare reimbursement fees.

ROCKY MOUNT, NC-Vacationers account for $1 billion or one third of its annual sales at its top 29 regional malls in 39 states, the Chicago-based developer/manager reports as it gears up for a new marketing campaign that will focus on tourism spending in the Carolinas. Rocky Mount is 160 miles northeast of Downtown Charlotte.

RALEIGH, NC-Wakefield Associates unveils the 185,000-sf Wakefield Plantation Sept. 1 at premium starting rents of $19 per sf. Outparcels at the 2,200-acre mixed-use venture are going for $4 per sf ($174,240 per acre) to $16 per sf ($696,960 per acre).

RALEIGH, NC-The locally based institution reports earnings of $937,000 or 25 cents a share. Total assets are up 48%. Raleigh is 150 miles northeast of Downtown Charlotte.

CHARLOTTE-The locally based firm's new technology has four integrated modules that can be customized for brokers, mortgage bankers, lenders and financial institutions.

Much of the growth is driven by tourism, with Horry County's 200,000 population swelling last year by 13.6 million visitors who come for the area's 120 courses and the area's beaches. A total $1 billion in planned road improvements is expected to further boost commercial development.

COLUMBIA, SC-The 348,410-sf structure will grow another 107,894 sf for a total 456,304 sf in the two-story project net leased to Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina. The property is 100 miles south of Downtown Charlotte.