In this issue:
❄️ Winter Storm May Hit Triangle
🏘️ Affordable Housing Bond Nearly Spent
🧬 LabConnect Moves HQ to Durham
🏛️ Council Faces Hayti Funding Dispute
🏡 Former Burt’s Bees CEO Lists Raleigh Home
💼 Emanuel Food Pantry Hiring Operations Manager
Approx Read Time: 3 mins
❄️ Winter Storm May Hit Triangle
Forecasters are warning that a potentially significant snow and ice storm could impact the Triangle this weekend, with freezing temperatures raising the risk of hazardous travel, power outages, and disruptions across the region.
Timing and conditions: The storm is expected to arrive Saturday, Jan. 24, and last through Sunday, Jan. 25, with daytime highs hovering around freezing and overnight lows possibly dropping into the teens.
Snow vs. ice still unclear: Meteorologists say it’s too early to pin down exact amounts, with the system possibly bringing a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain rather than a purely snow event.
Impacts could linger: Temperatures are forecast to stay at or below freezing through at least Monday, Jan. 26, meaning any accumulation may not melt quickly.
🏘️ Affordable Housing Bond Nearly Spent
Durham has used nearly all of the $95 million affordable housing bond voters approved in 2019, exceeding its unit creation goals while underscoring the limits of what local public funding can accomplish as housing costs continue to rise.
Bond goals exceeded: The City funded more than 1,600 affordable rental units through new construction and preservation.
Key partnerships: Much of the work was completed with the Durham Housing Authority and nonprofit housing developers.
Affordability gap persists: Durham is still short an estimated 25,000 housing units for low- and moderate-income households, a measure of need rather than a city target.
Supporters say
The bond delivered concrete results, stabilized residents at risk of displacement, and leveraged outside funding to expand the impact of local dollars.
Critics say
The scale and cost of subsidized housing mean the investment could not meaningfully slow rising prices or address Durham’s broader housing shortage.
🧬 LabConnect Moves HQ to Durham
A clinical trials services company with more than 700 employees has relocated its headquarters from Tennessee to Durham, choosing a site near Research Triangle Park without receiving state or local economic incentives.
Why Durham: LabConnect cited the Triangle’s dense biotech and pharmaceutical ecosystem, nearby universities, and network of contract research organizations as key draws.
Jobs ahead: The company says it plans to add staff at its Page Road headquarters in the coming years, with roles in sales, operations, technology, data science, and project management.
Competitive signal: The move places LabConnect near major CROs like IQVIA and Syneos Health, reinforcing Durham’s appeal as a life sciences hub.
Why this matters: Landing a headquarters move without incentives suggests Durham’s life sciences ecosystem is strong enough to attract growth on its own, a notable signal amid ongoing debates over economic development subsidies.
🏛️ Council Faces Hayti Funding Dispute
Durham City Council spent much of its Jan. 20 meeting grappling with confusion and community distrust surrounding ARPA-funded redevelopment efforts in Hayti, while also kicking off budget season and preparing for possible severe winter weather.
Hayti redevelopment tensions: Hayti, a historically Black neighborhood largely dismantled by urban renewal and highway construction, remained at the center of debate as residents questioned how ARPA funds are being managed and whether current processes reflect long-standing community-led reinvestment goals.
Fiscal agent change challenged: Staff said St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation asked to step away as fiscal agent for Hayti Promise CDC, but several council members said shifting explanations and limited documentation made it difficult to assess accountability for funds tied to Hayti’s redevelopment.
Weather response emphasized: Ahead of a potential winter storm, staff outlined expanded shelter capacity and coordination efforts for unhoused residents, an issue raised repeatedly during council comments.
Budget season begins: Council announced key dates in the FY 2026 budget process, including public, streamed budget retreats scheduled for February 13 and February 27.
What’s driving the dispute:
The tension centers on who controls and oversees $10 million in federal ARPA funds intended for Hayti’s redevelopment. While city staff describe recent changes as administrative, some residents and council members say shifting explanations and governance structures have made it difficult to assess accountability. The result is less disagreement over investment itself and more concern about transparency and trust in how decisions are made.
Upcoming Election
Durham’s primary election is Tuesday, March 3. Because many local races have no Republican challengers, several contests (including the Sheriff and District Attorney) will effectively be decided during this primary.
On Your Ballot:
Local: Durham Sheriff, District Attorney, Board of Education, and Clerk of Court.
State/Federal: N.C. General Assembly and U.S. House (District 4).
Judicial: Multiple District and Superior Court seats.
How to Vote:
Early Voting: Feb. 12 – Feb. 28 (In-person)
Election Day: March 3 (6:30 AM – 7:30 PM)
Mail-In: Request your absentee ballot by Feb. 17.
Remember: You will be asked to show a photo ID to vote.
Why It Matters: In a deep-blue county like Durham, the Democratic primary winner often takes the office. With historically low primary turnout, your single vote carries significantly more weight in shaping our schools, safety, and courts.
🏡 Former Burt’s Bees CEO Lists Raleigh Home
John Replogle, the former CEO of Durham-based Burt’s Bees, has listed his Raleigh home for $4.75 million, adding another high-end data point to the Triangle’s luxury housing market.
The property: The 8,000-square-foot home sits on nearly half an acre in Raleigh’s Drewry Hills neighborhood and includes six en-suite bedrooms, a home gym, lounge and gaming area, and a chef’s kitchen with a 500-bottle tasting room.
Luxury features: Outdoor amenities include a pool, sauna, landscaped grounds with mature trees, and an original sculpture by Raleigh artist Thomas Sayre, which is available separately.
Local ties: Replogle, now living in New Hampshire, previously led Burt’s Bees and later founded Seventh Generation and Triangle-based venture firm One Better Ventures.
💼 Emanuel Food Pantry Hiring Operations Manager
The Emanuel Food Pantry, Durham County’s largest provider of food to families facing hunger, is hiring a full-time Operations Manager to oversee volunteers and food distribution serving more than 750 families each week.
Role & impact: The Operations Manager will coordinate roughly 120 volunteers weekly, manage food sourcing and distribution, and help run large-scale weekly food operations focused on underserved communities.
Who they’re seeking: Candidates must be bilingual in English and Spanish, highly organized, comfortable leading large volunteer teams, and experienced in food insecurity or nonprofit operations.
Pay & benefits: Salary ranges from $50,000 to $58,000, plus a monthly healthcare stipend, four weeks of paid vacation, and paid sick time.
Seth Meyers: Live
Durham Performing Arts Center
Saturday, Jan. 24 • 7:00 PM
Emmy-winning comedian and Late Night host Seth Meyers brings his stand-up tour to DPAC, with special guest Brooks Wheelan.
Details >>
