GOING GREEN: City presents check for efforts of local business. 1B
officials have shifted toward getting economic incentives money back from the company. BY PAUL B. JOHNSON Dell was pledged AND DAVID NIVENS the largest, comENTERPRISE STAFF WRITERS bined state and local Perdue incentives package TRIAD – Now that Dell Inc. is in North Carolina history when walking away from its computer the Texas-based computer conmanufacturing plant that was sup- glomerate agreed to build its plant posed to become an anchor of the in southeastern Winston-Salem. Triad’s economy, state and area The plant, opened four years ago
TURNING THE TIDE: Wake kicker enjoys move from Alabama. 1C
50 Cents Daily $1 Sundays
this month, is near Union Cross Road and U.S. 311, about five miles from the High Point city limit. On Wednesday, Dell announced it will close the plant by January, costing 905 workers their jobs as part of a corporate costcutting move. Five years ago, Dell was pledged $243 million in state incentives and $38 million from Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, though payments to the company would be phased in during many years.
Dell spokesman David Frink said Thursday that company representatives will meet with state and area government officials to review incentives agreements. “Dell will continue to comply with and honor terms of agreements that are in place. That’s the extent of the statement we’ll make,” Frink told The High Point Enterprise. “Information regarding payments made by the city/
DELL, 2A
Perdue pledges support for health programs BY DAVID NIVENS ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
SONNY HEDGECOCK | HPE
SONNY HEDGECOCK | HPE
HEALTHY KIDS
GREENSBORO – Gov. Beverly Perdue pledged Thursday to continue to work to provide health care for needy children and to continue anti-smoking campaigns. Appearing at a Healthy Carolinians conference, Perdue mentioned a $678,210 grant to fund health insurance outreach and enrollment for eligible, uninsured children. Perdue campaigned on providing all children access to health care coverage and making sure all eligible children are enrolled. “There is not much new money out there and we are going to find all the money we can for these programs,” Perdue said. “I’ll be working with you to find ways to bring home federal dollars.” The N.C. Pediatric Society Foundation will lead a coalition of health professionals and communitybased stakeholders to form the “Healthy and Ready to Learn” outreach partnership. “This brings coverage to more and more of our children,” Perdue said. The governor’s office also announced the state will use a $17 million federal grant to expand coverage for uninsured working families, and nearly $3.9 million for Rural Hope, a program that will improve health care facilities in rural North Carolina. “We are making the deal now for helping North Carolina become the healthiest
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Screening: A partnership led by the N.C. Pediatric Society Foundation will identify uninsured children who are entering kindergarten and are eligible for Medicaid or N.C. Health Choice. Pilot: The program will start in 16 high-need rural and urban counties, including Guilford. In year two, the program will expand statewide. North Carolina is one of 41 states awarded funding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. state,” Perdue said. Perdue said one of the state’s greatest health victories was “taking on tobacco.” Perdue was part of efforts to direct money from legal settlements with tobacco companies into antismoking campaigns directed at teens. “We have saved lives,” she said. “We can prove we have lowered the teen smoking rate in this state. We need to continue this.” Perdue, who signed a bill that bans smoking in bars and restaurants on Jan. 2, pledged to fight for a higher state cigarette tax. “The new law is good for everybody’s health,” she said. “We’ll continue the antismoking ads. You can’t go backwards after you start moving forward.” dnivens@hpe.com | 888-3626
Body building competition returns to city BY PAM HAYNES ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
HIGH POINT – High Point will get beefed up on Saturday when the largest, fully drug-tested body building competition on the East Coast returns to the city after a one-year absence. Competitors from five states, including one from California, will compete in the 18th annual International Natural Body Building and Fitness, or INBF, competition. Two shows will be held tomorrow at the High Point Theatre with a pre-judging event beginning at 11 a.m. and an evening show that includes a posing routine and an awards ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. Damian Fisher, part owner of
125th year No. 282 www.hpe.com High Point, N.C.
Class act
Frito-Lay conducted a school supply drive and delivered items to Montlieu Math and Science Academy this week. Mascot Chester Cheetah (above) gets hugs in Ms. Amos’ first grade/kindergarten class. At right, Summerae Everette and Javon Thompson inspect bags containing rulers, erasers and glue The drive was coordinated by Communities in Schools of High Point.
October 9, 2009
EVENT CHANGE: New date planned for North Carolina Marathon. 2A
Repaying incentives Governor wants to get back ‘every red cent’ from Dell
FRIDAY
promoter for the INBF and organizing the High Point show. “This is the 18th year we’ve The International Natural Body run this show,” Fisher said. “Our Building and Fitness competition members are fully tested. That will come to High Point Theatre means that the competitors are on Saturday. A pre-judging given polygraphs and an urinalyshow will begin at 11 a.m., and sis test (for illegal drug usage), tickets will cost $15. and that’s what really sets this show apart.” The night show, which includes Some of the world’s top male a posing routine and an awards and female natural body builders ceremony, will begin at 6 p.m. will attend the event for a chance and cost $20. Tickets can be to become a pro-qualifier on the bought from the High Point INBF’s professional circuit, FishTheatre box office, including er said. a combination ticket for both The show was held in High Point events for $32. for nine years before it relocated to Winston-Salem last year. “I am glad to have the compeGold’s Gym at the Palladium Cen- tition back home,” said Marva ter in High Point, is working as a Wells, sales manager for the High
SHOWS
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YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR NEWSPAPER.
Point Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. “To have them come back and bring a prestigious event like this is great for High Point. The HPCVB estimates the event will have an economic impact of $50,000 on the city. About 75 hotel room nights are expected to be booked for the event. Wells said the number of attendees was hard to gauge because the show was returning from High Point after relocating last year, but the bureau expects about 150 attendees. “Anyone who is interested in getting in shape should come,” Fisher said. “The show is very entertaining and inspiring.” phaynes@hpe.com | 888-3617
WHO’S NEWS
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Ken Blanchard was named to the Nido R. Qubein School of Communication Board of Advisors. He is the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies.
INSIDE
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MURDER TRIAL: Defendant’s competency called to question. 1B OBITUARIES
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Ronald Arnette, 61 Charlie Barnes, 76 Rebecca Chestnut, 93 Dana Gee, 56 Lola Hoover, 72 Jimmie Johnson, 81 Bobby Long, 75 Danny Pena, 47 Ramona Stroud, 81 Mary Wyrick, 88 Obituaries, 2B
WEATHER
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Mostly cloudy High 83, Low 66 6C
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