Lowe’s, BB&T announcements are good news

Columbus County got a double shot of good economic news yesterday when Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores and BB&T announced expansions in Whiteville, which should result in more than 200 new jobs.

Not only are the new jobs good news, but people seem to be genuinely appreciative that they won’t have to drive to Lumberton or Shallotte to buy a light fixture.

We’ve tended to get excited when international companies from Turkey, France and Japan have built in the industrial park, but Lowe’s and BB&T are based right here in North Carolina and have impeccable reputations.

The Lowe’s and BB&T announcements are promising on two fronts.
First, BB&T’s plan to move new jobs here reaffirms the bank’s commitment to keep more than 450 non-branch jobs in Columbus County, an agreement made when BB&T bought United Carolina Bank. BB&T could have placed those jobs elsewhere, but they continue to live up to their agreement made before the merger.

Second, Lowe’s doesn’t just put $17 dollar stores in the middle of nowhere. It would be reasonable to assume that the store is positioning itself to take advantage of growth that is expected to come in Columbus County.

Lowe’s and BB&T making major investments in Columbus County in the same week is remarkable. Let’s hope it’s a sign of even better things to come.