Wednesday, Mar. 10, 2010

Business Notes

Grand re-opening

Habitat for Humanity of Johnston County is celebrating the grand re-opening of its ReStore, which offers building supplies and used appliances.

The event is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. till 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the store, 136 Clayton Commerce Center, behind the Clayton Post Office. A yard sale will be held that day.

Novo Nordisk pledge

The United Way of the Greater Triangle announced last week that it had received a $23,293.28 campaign pledge for Johnston County from Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries in Clayton.

The pledge represents a 47-percent increase over Novo Nordisk's 2009 workplace campaign. Novo plans to match any amount donated by its employees.

Bank cuts dividends

Citing diminished earnings, the corporate parent of Johnston County-based Four Oaks Bank & Trust Co. announced recently that it had cut the dividend paid to shareholders.

Four Oaks reported that it would pay a dividend of 1 cent per share to shareholders of record March 8. That's down from a dividend of 8.5 cents per share a year ago and 4 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Four Oaks recently reported a $1.7 million loss in the fourth quarter and a $2.1 million loss for all of 2009. The company posted a $4.2 million profit in 2008.