Axios Charlotte

June 23, 2024
Good morning! It's Katie.
- ⛈️ Weather: 96 with isolated thunderstorms.
- 🎂 Happy birthday to our Axios Charlotte member Ron Slepian.
Today's newsletter is 485 words, a 2-minute read.
1 big thing: 🎢 A "FUN" new corporate HQ
Charlotte will soon be home to another corporate headquarters as Ohio-based Cedar Fair and Texas-based Six Flags merge and relocate the combined company here.
Why it matters: A growing list of prominent corporate headquarters bolsters Charlotte's standing as a major business city, one that employers want to be in because of its workforce, cost of living, climate and other factors.
- The deal creates one of the world's largest amusement park operators at a time when the industry still struggles to recover from a pandemic-induced slump.
Driving the news: The merger of Cedar Fair, which owns and operates Carowinds here, and Six Flags is expected to close July 1, the two companies said in a recent securities filing.
- When the merger is finalized, the combined company will be renamed "Six Flags Entertainment Corporation."
- Trading of the combined company's common stock on the NYSE is expected to begin on July 2 under the ticker "FUN."
Flashback: The companies, which announced the deal last November, described it as a "merger of equals," giving the new entity an enterprise value of $8 billion.
- Cedar Fair has said it will maintain a significant presence in Sandusky, Ohio.
- Outside of Carowinds, Cedar Fair's signature properties include Cedar Point in Ohio, Kings Dominion in Virginia and Six Flags Magic Mountain in California.
2. ⚡️ Biz lightning round
Charlotte-based Honeywell International has reached a deal to buy aerospace and defense technology company CAES Systems from the private equity firm Advent International for $2 billion. (WSJ)
Jason Bengel has been named the new CFO of Charlotte-based LendingTree, effective Aug. 9. He'll replace Trent Ziegler, who is leaving after 12 years with the company. (CBJ 🔒)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is expecting a boost of more than $20 million thanks to the higher parking costs it implemented last fall. (Charlotte Ledger 🔒)
The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance anticipates hiring a new CEO by September. This leader will replace Janet LaBar, who had led the business group since 2019 before announcing her sudden departure this spring. (Business NC)
💼 Fresh openings from our Job Board
If you're on the hunt for a new job, here are a few to get you started:
- Executive Director at Catawba Indian Nation Foundation.
- Upper School Receptionist at Charlotte Latin School.
- Major Gifts Officer and Manager of Identity-Focused Philanthropy at Davidson College.
- Membership Manager at Discovery Place.
Want more opportunities? Check out all openings on our Job Board.
Hiring? Post a job.
3. 🔥 1 cooking class to go
There's a new class at Resident Culture that'll teach you how to grill like the pros.
- Charlotte pitmaster Edmar Simoes, Resident Culture Brewing's executive chef, will be teaching open-fire cooking techniques in classes that run from 6am-4pm (!!) on the second Sunday of each month starting July 14.
Between the lines: Each class will have eight spots for $400 a person, according to a statement from the brewery. The classes include:
- Resident Culture breakfast and coffee
- Meats — brisket, pork butt, chicken leg quarters, chicken wings and top sirloin
- Family-style barbecue sides and two beers for each participant
- Take-away portions of the meats prepared in class
- Swag bags of Resident Culture goodies
🤸 I'm updating our list of family-friendly activities around Charlotte for a roundup.
- Have one to suggest? Let me know! [email protected]
This newsletter was copy edited by Amy Stern.
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