SANFORD – The Pantry, Inc. (NASDAQ: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2008, which ended Dec. 27.

RALEIGH – Local taxes and fees in Fayetteville totaled $1,480 per resident in the 2006 budget year, according to a new report from the Raleigh-based Center for Local Innovation.

ASHEBORO – With the throw of a switch next Tuesday, the North Carolina Zoo will house the state’s largest solar power project.

WASHINGTON – A package of studies released today by the nonpartisan Urban Institute has found that SBA programs are more effective than conventional loans in reaching minorities, women and start-ups, and that SBA loans are a key financing tool for creditworthy small businesses that nevertheless do not meet conventional underwriting standards.

ASHEBORO – Randolph Hospital and Randolph Cancer Center filed a Certificate of Need application yesterday requesting permission to purchase a CT Simulator to be used for treatment planning.

ASHEBORO – Randolph County had more than $20 million in new and expanded industrial investment last year that led to the creation of 264 new jobs, the county’s Economic Development Corporation announced today.

FAYETTEVILLE – Moody’s Investors Service has upgraded Fayetteville Public Works Commission’s revenue bond rating from A1 to Aa3 in conjunction with the sale of $17.4 million revenue bonds-Series 2008.

LAURINBURG – Eaton Corporation announced today that it will close its golf grip manufacturing plant by the end of the year, eliminating 82 production jobs, and consolidate the work overseas at existing Eaton plants in Thailand and Taiwan.

FAYETTEVILLE – The Cumberland County Business Council Board of Directors voted today to change their name to the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce.

PITTSBORO – For the ninth consecutive year, the coveted Mobil Five-Star Award has been awarded to The Fearrington House Country Inn in northeastern Chatham County.

CHAPEL HILL – Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is taking some of the mystery out of health care costs.

DUNN – The Harnett Health System has learned that the North Carolina Court of Appeals voted 3-0 in support of the nonprofit health system’s plans to build a new 50-bed hospital in central Harnett County.

TROY – In a move to offer its customers access to more no-fee, surcharge-free ATMs, First Bank, a subsidiary of First Bancorp, announced that it has joined the MoneyPass surcharge-free ATM network.

ASHEBORO – FNB United Corp. (NASDAQ: FNBN), the holding company for CommunityOne Bank, N.A. and Dover Mortgage Company, today reported fourth quarter and 2007 profits for the periods ended Dec. 31.

TROY – First Bancorp (NASDAQ - FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, announced fourth quarter net income today of $5,762,000, a 12 percent increase over the $5,144,000 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2006.

CARY – Crescent Financial Corporation (Nasdaq:CRFN), parent company of Crescent State Bank, today announced unaudited net income for the year ended Dec. 31 of $6,248,800 or 65 cents per diluted share, compared with $4,904,000 or 64 cents per diluted share for the year ended Dec. 31, 2006.

WASHINGTON – Small business owners now have a new small business resource to help improve their chances for profitability by understanding the importance and use of business credit.

RALEIGH – College financial aid officers will be available at 56 locations across North Carolina on Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. until noon at all locations except Charlotte, which has extended hours, to help high school seniors and families complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid forms.

PITTSBORO – Central Carolina Community College’s Chatham County Campus has been selected by the state to pilot a new Geriatric Aide training program.

BUIES CREEK – The Campbell University School of Pharmacy has received a $306,550 federal grant that was included in the Underrepresented Minority Pharmacy Bill passed by Congress last month.

WASHINGTON – Business.gov, the official business link to the U.S. government, has launched new search features and expanded content that make it easier for small business owners to find essential information they need to run their operations, including forms, licenses, permits and regulatory information from federal, state and local governments.

RALEIGH – During the 1980s and 1990s expansions, economic growth slowed in the middle of each decade as the economy paused. Economic growth then took off and each expansion lasted for several more years.