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Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses

In North Carolina and beyond, young entrepreneurs are buying up small businesses from founders nearing retirement.

Business

Rob Belk, 35, grew up in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte" data-vars-content-id="7a6faaac-45d5-40be-af90-2649b31e3c01" data-vars-headline="Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte" target="_self">Charlotte</a>, selling ladies&#x27; shoes at the SouthPark mall Belk, his family&#x27;s eponymous department store — a grind that instilled in him an entrepreneurial bug. Earlier this year, he purchased Sales Factory, a Greensboro marketing and insights agency that&#x27;s been around since 1984.Why it matters: In North Carolina and beyond, young entrepreneurs are buying up small businesses from founders nearing retirement — part of a phenomenon dubbed the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="silver tsunami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/retirement-crisis-social-security-2026" data-vars-content-id="7a6faaac-45d5-40be-af90-2649b31e3c01" data-vars-headline="Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/retirement-crisis-social-security-2026" target="_self">silver tsunami</a>&quot; that&#x27;s resulting in a massive transfer of wealth.

North Carolina Democrats push for early 2028 primary

North Carolina is one of 12 states allowed to bid to be one of the first primary states in 2028.

Politics

North Carolina Democrats are lobbying to make the state one of the first presidential primary contests in 2028, arguing the state reflects the rest of the U.S., given its growing and diverse <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/29/north-carolina-kept-growing-last-year-despite-immigration-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="3aa3de09-b521-4564-befe-543e59dd7aa1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Democrats push for early 2028 primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/29/north-carolina-kept-growing-last-year-despite-immigration-slowdown" target="_self">population</a>.Why it matters: If selected, North Carolina could hold a large influence over which candidate ultimately secures the nomination. It could also attract tens of millions of dollars of investments into statewide campaigns.

The Triangle's college grad boom

The Triangle's universities continue to power the region's growth

News

The Triangle has been one of the leading regions for adding residents with college degrees since the pandemic, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" data-vars-content-id="49637436-34a4-46c4-b872-bb6949543d3e" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s college grad boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" target="_blank">report</a> from the U.S. Census Bureau finds. Why it matters: The Triangle has long prided itself on how much talent its universities produce, helping make the region one of the biggest areas for job growth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over the past decade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/the-top-10-us-cities-for-job-opportunities-and-earning-potential-according-to-new-report.html" data-vars-content-id="49637436-34a4-46c4-b872-bb6949543d3e" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s college grad boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/the-top-10-us-cities-for-job-opportunities-and-earning-potential-according-to-new-report.html" target="_blank">over the past decade</a>.

Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding

Renovations are ongoing at many businesses, while others have closed completely.

More than seven months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Chantal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" target="_self">Tropical Storm Chantal</a> significantly flooded parts of Chapel Hill, businesses at the popular Eastgate Crossing shopping center are still working to clean up the mess.Why it matters: The lingering effects of Chantal, which dumped more than 7 inches of rain in 12 hours, have shown just how damaging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fast-forming tropical storms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" target="_self">fast-forming tropical storms</a> can be amid intensifying climate change.<ul><li>Chantal caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than $56 million worth of damage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" target="_blank">more than $56 million worth of damage</a> in Orange County, much of that at Eastgate Crossing. </li></ul>

Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge

Two shots of the MMR give widespread protection against measles.

Health

North Carolina has confirmed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="22 cases " data-vars-click-url="https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/infectious-respiratory-diseases/measles-rubeola/measles-cases-and-outbreaks-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="739579fd-1d01-4ef4-9ca7-59c2eb77529d" data-vars-headline="Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/infectious-respiratory-diseases/measles-rubeola/measles-cases-and-outbreaks-north-carolina" target="_blank">22 cases </a>of measles in the state since December amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national resurgence in cases" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/us-texas-measles-cases-cdc-vaccine-rfk-jr" data-vars-content-id="739579fd-1d01-4ef4-9ca7-59c2eb77529d" data-vars-headline="Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/30/us-texas-measles-cases-cdc-vaccine-rfk-jr" target="_self">national resurgence in cases</a> and a hot spot in neighboring South Carolina. Why it matters: Health care providers are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/measles-exposure-and-vaccination-what-you-need-know" data-vars-content-id="739579fd-1d01-4ef4-9ca7-59c2eb77529d" data-vars-headline="Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dukehealth.org/blog/measles-exposure-and-vaccination-what-you-need-know" target="_blank">urging</a> people to check their vaccine status and see if they received one dose, two doses or no doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine as a child.

Demand for GLP-1s from North Carolina Medicaid patients has grown significantly

GLP-1s remain expensive, causing many state Medicaid programs not to cover it

North Carolina is one of 13 states whose Medicaid programs cover <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="GLP-1s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/12/wegovy-weight-loss-the-triangle-north-carolina" data-vars-content-id="f275b217-8fa3-481b-8b36-2414867968c7" data-vars-headline="Demand for GLP-1s from North Carolina Medicaid patients has grown significantly" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/12/wegovy-weight-loss-the-triangle-north-carolina" target="_self">GLP-1s</a> for weight loss treatment, and their usage in the state has skyrocketed in recent years. Why it matters: The number of Medicaid claims for GLP-1s as a prescription for weight loss surged from practically zero in 2023 to more than 211,000 in the past year, according to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. <ul><li>Medicaid coverage of GLP-1s for weight management began in August 2024. The drugs treat other conditions, including diabetes. Medicaid processed an additional 257,320 GLP-1 claims related to other conditions in North Carolina last year.</li></ul>

World's first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle

Many of the most popular weight loss drugs are being made in North Carolina.

North Carolina has quickly become a leading hub for the manufacturing of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, including the new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Wegovy pill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/fda-weight-loss-pill-glp-1-approved" data-vars-content-id="de863d0e-ecd4-4a4a-8806-c7346259da9a" data-vars-headline="World&#x27;s first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/22/fda-weight-loss-pill-glp-1-approved" target="_self">Wegovy pill</a> that&#x27;s now on the market.Why it matters: Having a pill form as opposed to a weekly shot is a big deal, largely because pills are cheaper to make than the widely popular injectables, NPR recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/25/nx-s1-5619816/obesity-pills-wegovy-semaglutide-orforglipron" data-vars-content-id="de863d0e-ecd4-4a4a-8806-c7346259da9a" data-vars-headline="World&#x27;s first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2025/11/25/nx-s1-5619816/obesity-pills-wegovy-semaglutide-orforglipron" target="_blank">reported</a>.

UNC Health's new CEO takes the helm amid "acute headwinds" in health care

This comes amid looming Medicaid cuts, a drop in research funding, expansion statewide and the uncertain future of a children's hospital.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cristy Page" data-vars-click-url="https://www.unchealthcare.org/about-us/leadership/cristy-page-md-mph/" data-vars-content-id="ab3577bf-b2c4-4025-93f3-125bc120d50a" data-vars-headline="UNC Health&#x27;s new CEO takes the helm amid &quot;acute headwinds&quot; in health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.unchealthcare.org/about-us/leadership/cristy-page-md-mph/" target="_blank">Cristy Page</a>, the newly appointed CEO of UNC Health and dean of UNC&#x27;s school of medicine, is taking the helm of one of the state&#x27;s most influential health care systems at a tumultuous time. Why it matters: Page, a family physician who was made permanent CEO last month after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="serving in an interim capacity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/15/two-of-the-triangles-most-influential-employers-face-leadership-changes" data-vars-content-id="ab3577bf-b2c4-4025-93f3-125bc120d50a" data-vars-headline="UNC Health&#x27;s new CEO takes the helm amid &quot;acute headwinds&quot; in health care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/15/two-of-the-triangles-most-influential-employers-face-leadership-changes" target="_self">serving in an interim capacity</a>, must navigate looming Medicaid cuts, a decline in research funding, expansion across the state and an uncertain future around a children&#x27;s hospital.

North Carolina reverses Medicaid cuts after lawsuits

Lawmakers are still unable to agree on a budget, meaning Medicaid could run out of money in April.

The state is reversing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Medicaid cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" data-vars-content-id="bd216002-03ea-4deb-972b-92095e1ae6d3" data-vars-headline="North Carolina reverses Medicaid cuts after lawsuits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" target="_self">Medicaid cuts</a> made earlier this year to save money after lawmakers&#x27; negotiations over a budget fully funding the health care program fell apart.Why it matters: A quarter of North Carolinians — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over 3.1 million people" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncruralcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Final_Medicaid_Overview_Cut_Implications_3-5-25.pdf" data-vars-content-id="bd216002-03ea-4deb-972b-92095e1ae6d3" data-vars-headline="North Carolina reverses Medicaid cuts after lawsuits" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncruralcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Final_Medicaid_Overview_Cut_Implications_3-5-25.pdf" target="_blank">over 3.1 million people</a> — have health care coverage through Medicaid, and Gov. Josh Stein&#x27;s administration warned that cuts would ripple throughout the entire health care ecosystem.

A North Carolina 911 experiment sends defibrillators by drone

Duke Health is dropping defibrillators from the air in Forsyth County.

First responders are using drones to drop off <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defibrillators" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/03/cardiac-arrest-aed-defibrilator-states" data-vars-content-id="e2474f00-e0f5-4dc3-a840-f26e3e010835" data-vars-headline="A North Carolina 911 experiment sends defibrillators by drone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/03/cardiac-arrest-aed-defibrilator-states" target="_self">defibrillators</a> at the addresses of real 911 calls in North Carolina. The experiment aims to help more people survive cardiac arrest, which can take only minutes to kill a person.Why it matters: Cardiac arrest strikes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="350,000" data-vars-click-url="https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/cpr-facts-and-statistics?srsltid=AfmBOooTiTebyyAVv9qyxsKiGcqnb38vWFKf8VOFD1wVjGsHOSC91J4a" data-vars-content-id="e2474f00-e0f5-4dc3-a840-f26e3e010835" data-vars-headline="A North Carolina 911 experiment sends defibrillators by drone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/cpr-facts-and-statistics?srsltid=AfmBOooTiTebyyAVv9qyxsKiGcqnb38vWFKf8VOFD1wVjGsHOSC91J4a" target="_blank">350,000</a> people in the United States every year, and around 90% of those that take place outside hospitals are fatal, according to the American Red Cross.

Lawsuit temporarily halts North Carolina Medicaid cuts to autism care

The lawsuit focused on cuts made to behavior therapy for children diagnosed with autism.

North Carolina&#x27;s Department of Health and Human Services says it will comply with a judge&#x27;s order to temporarily reverse Medicaid cuts affecting children diagnosed with autism. Why it matters: DHHS <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made reimbursement cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" data-vars-content-id="f5beed89-ab71-47c6-9ff3-949dc25d3e25" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit temporarily halts North Carolina Medicaid cuts to autism care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/30/medicaid-cuts-are-looming" target="_self">made reimbursement cuts</a> to its Medicaid program in October, potentially affecting care for the millions of residents in the state who rely on it. <ul><li>The cuts came after the N.C. General Assembly couldn&#x27;t come to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="agreement on a state budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/19/republican-general-assembly-medicaid-funding-childrens-hospital" data-vars-content-id="f5beed89-ab71-47c6-9ff3-949dc25d3e25" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit temporarily halts North Carolina Medicaid cuts to autism care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/19/republican-general-assembly-medicaid-funding-childrens-hospital" target="_self">agreement on a state budget</a> that would include enough funding for Medicaid. </li></ul>

Durham startup wants to help health care systems navigate AI

Vega Health is based in downtown Durham and was founded by Mark Sendak

A new Durham startup founded by a former Duke physician and data scientist wants to help health care systems navigate the complexities of adding new artificial intelligence tools. Why it matters: Health care systems nationwide are increasingly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turning to new AI tools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/02/03/health-systems-see-scribes-as-real-ai-revolution" data-vars-content-id="e7655c09-f55c-4c26-901e-9be5a1e68fe9" data-vars-headline="Durham startup wants to help health care systems navigate AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/health-tech-deals/2025/02/03/health-systems-see-scribes-as-real-ai-revolution" target="_self">turning to new AI tools</a> to improve care or help with persistent work shortages. <ul><li>But the process of picking which ones to implement and then monitoring their performance can be overwhelming, argues Mark Sendak, the founder of Durham-based <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vega Health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vegahealth.com/" data-vars-content-id="e7655c09-f55c-4c26-901e-9be5a1e68fe9" data-vars-headline="Durham startup wants to help health care systems navigate AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vegahealth.com/" target="_blank">Vega Health</a>. </li></ul>

North Carolina home births have nearly doubled since the pandemic

The shift reflects a growing distrust of the traditional medical system and a desire for more personalized maternity care.

While still relatively small compared to overall live births, the number of births occurring inside the home has surged in North Carolina, especially since the pandemic — mirroring what&#x27;s happening <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nationally" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/home-births-rise-chart" data-vars-content-id="96364854-e887-4a45-8948-be04ac8c2fa6" data-vars-headline="North Carolina home births have nearly doubled since the pandemic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/06/home-births-rise-chart" target="_self">nationally</a>. Why it matters: The shift reflects a growing distrust of the traditional medical system and a desire for more personalized maternity care.

Fujifilm's North Carolina plant opens amid push to onshore manufacturing

The Holly Springs factory will manufacture pharmaceuticals for Regeneron and Johnson & Johnson.

Fujifilm Biotechnologies&#x27; $3.2 billion biotechnology plant in Holly Springs was planned long before the Trump administration&#x27;s push to reshore pharmaceutical manufacturing. <ul><li>Executives recognize their facility was well-timed.</li></ul>Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pharmaceutical tariffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/06/trump-tariffs-inflation-food-coffee" data-vars-content-id="11a0a2d2-ac8b-4dc0-acc2-fa77f1e82864" data-vars-headline="Fujifilm&#x27;s North Carolina plant opens amid push to onshore manufacturing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/06/trump-tariffs-inflation-food-coffee" target="_self">Pharmaceutical tariffs</a> are still being finalized for many countries, and the uncertainty has drug companies with manufacturing capacity in the U.S. well-positioned. North Carolina&#x27;s research prowess and decades of life science investment in the Triangle give the region an edge.

Health 🩺

Health care providers urge checking measles vaccine status as cases surge

Demand for GLP-1s from North Carolina Medicaid patients has grown significantly

World's first weight loss pill is made in the Triangle

UNC Health's new CEO takes the helm amid "acute headwinds" in health care

North Carolina reverses Medicaid cuts after lawsuits