BizBrief is your weekly, business-focused companion to the daily newsletter. | Graphic by 6AM City
Hi there — I’m Cat, Senior Managing Editor of BizBrief, our new weekly newsletter built to highlight our local business community.
BizBrief is your download on the local business landscape, delivering concise recaps — from news and podcasts to events, thought leadership, jobs, and company updates — all in one scroll-worthy newsletter to start your week informed, not overwhelmed.
If you already read RALtoday, think of BizBrief as its weekly, business-focused companion, zooming in on the stories, opportunities, and conversations shaping the local business community.
A little about me: I started at 6AM City, the parent company of RALtoday, as a City Editor over four years ago right here in the City of Oaks, became a Managing Editor overseeing six markets (including RALtoday), and now I’m excited to bring that experience back to community content as the Senior Managing Editor of BizBrief.
We want BizBrief to highlight what matters most to you. Got a local business story, podcast, or company update worth sharing? Send it our way or fill out this short survey — your ideas can help guide our coverage.
Asked
Asked
Help shape BizBrief:
Share your own company updates or point us to your favorite local podcasts, press releases, thought leadership, and real estate listings so we can spotlight them in future editions.
Applications for NC IDEA’s Spring 2026 grant cycle close today, Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. NC startups can apply for MICRO grants ($10,000) for early validation or SEED grants ($50,000) to scale. Watch the info session webinar for more info.
Edu
Wake Technical Community College is leading NC’s role with Careers Electric™, a new national workforce initiative expanding access to electrical training. The program aims to prepare 25,000 learners over the next decade for in-demand careers across energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure through modernized, hands-on education pathways.
Job
ProVantage Corporate Solutions in Raleigh is hiring a Vice President of Operations to oversee nationwide execution across all 50 states. The role offers $140,000 + bonuses and involves travel time and responsibility for building disciplined systems that improve gross margin, customer satisfaction, and field performance.
Thought Leadership
Ahead of Art in Bloom, presented by PNC, from Wednesday, March 18 to Sunday, March 22, What’s Up, Wake! and Podcast Cary sat down with Valerie Hillings, director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, to talk leadership, community partnerships, and what to expect from the beloved annual exhibition. Cat here — Art in Bloom is one of my favorite spring events.
Biz
TowneBank is integrating Dogwood State Bank after last month’s acquisition, with a systems conversion planned for this fall. While Dogwood’s Six Forks Road office will handle growing teams for now, executives haven’t ruled out a future downtown Raleigh headquarters — potentially putting TowneBank’s name on the skyline. (Triangle Business Journal)
Listen
Looking for a conversational take on money matters? This Raleigh-based podcast from Financial Symmetry makes tax savings, investing, and retirement planning easier to understand, with practical budgeting advice for beginners. Thanks to a reader Chad C. for the tip, and the lunch rec: Baja Burrito.
Development
A planned Raleigh affordable housing project near Moore Square has fallen through after Loden Properties withdrew and partner Harmony Housing Affordable Development did not finalize a lease. The project would have added 160 affordable units. The city says it’s evaluating next steps and remains committed to affordable housing at the site. (INDY Week)
Civic
Wake County approved $23.5 million in hospitality tax funds to 13 county projects, boosting tourism and business opportunities for the area. Projects include nearly $1 million to Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences for Welcome Hall improvements and an administrative + event HQ for NCFC Youth at WRAL Soccer Park.
Transit
GoRaleigh service upgrades take effect Sunday, March 22, boosting reliability and access. Route 2 moves to 15-minute service, Route 17 hits 30 minutes, and new Route 14 launches. The expanded High-Frequency Network improves connections for employees, clients, and local businesses. New to transit?Here’s your guide.
Plan Ahead
The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce will host its 2026 Annual Meeting, The Durham Show, on Tuesday, March 17 at the Carolina Theatre. The event will highlight 2025 wins, preview priorities for 2026, and feature awards, leadership transitions, and a post-event reception at the Durham Convention Center. RSVP by Monday, March 2.
Edu
The Wake County Public School System has named four educators as 2025-26 Diane Kent Parker First-Year Teacher Award winners. The annual honor recognizes outstanding first-year teachers across elementary, middle, high school, and special education for excellence in the classroom and early leadership impact. Congratulations.
Biz
The News & Observer is accepting nominations for its Raleigh-Durham Top Workplaces awards, recognizing employers with strong, people-first cultures. The program, run with Energage, uses a free, anonymous employee survey and offers companies insights to boost culture, recruiting, and brand visibility.
Events
Agenda
Editor’s Picks
UMCNC Industry Day 2026 | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 8:30 a.m. | The McKimmon Conference and Training Center at NC State | $109+ | This event brings contractors, business leaders, and policymakers together for networking, expert insights, and opportunities to grow in today’s construction market.
321 Day Conference | Monday, March 16 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Marbles IMAX Theater & Museum | $126 | Don’t miss this conference bringing leaders together to share stories and strategies for disability inclusion in the workplace, inspiring real impact.
If you already read our daily product, think of BizBrief as its weekly, business-focused companion. | Graphic by 6AM City
We sat down with our CEO, Ryan Johnston, for a behind-the-scenes look at what fuels BizBrief — and him.
Why introduce a business newsletter?
I think of it less as a newsletter and more as a weekly business section.
What problem does your product solve?
Talking about business together and delivering everything you need to make the most of the city you call home. Like RALtoday, BizBrief will center on strong reader participation and source from traditional media, influencers, and company communications — creating a community that engages with local business news together.
How will BizBrief differ from all the other local business newsletters?
BizBrief will follow the same formula as our daily RALtoday newsletter — aggregating, curating, narrating, and highlighting the most important business news from across the local business landscape. The goal: to help local businesses and the professionals who work in them thrive.
Office and lab space, for lease | 1791 Varsity Dr. | Build-to-suit, 2,500-10,749 sqft | Call for rate | Office and lab space at NC State’s Centennial Campus with shared conferencing and collaboration spaces, steps from campus amenities, research centers, and corporate partners; ideal for innovation-driven tenants.
Industrial
Industrial space, for lease | 5080 Trademark Dr. | 15,029 sqft | $19.95 sqft/year (NNN) | Delivering June 2026; 2.72-acre flex/distribution site with 1,735 sqft office, dock- and grade-level doors, 20–24’ clear height near I-40/I-440.
We’re all super excited to launch this new newsletter as part of RALtoday. You might remember me as a Senior City Editor here a few years back. I’ll still be working closely with Allie, who you already know — and I’m really curious to know what you, our awesome readers, want to see from our BizBrief coverage.
I wish I could meet and chat with each of you in person, but an email will have to do for now. Seriously, send me an email and hit me with your best ideas.
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