Charlie Shelton, a founder of one of North Carolina’s largest construction companies and a leader in the development of the state’s wine industry, died Jan. 22 at age 86 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to media reports. Details on services were not immediately available.
Shelton, with brother Ed, built several construction businesses, including Blue Ridge Enterprises, Fortis Homes and Shelco Inc. After moving Shelco to Charlotte from Winston-Salem in the early 1990s, the company grew into a regional power, building the Hearst Tower, Ballantyne Commons and Three Wachovia Center, among others.
The brothers launched Shelton Vineyards in 1999 near the Surry County town of Dobson, 90 miles north of Charlotte.
“As someone who has worked with Charlie for over a decade he was a giant of a man and monumental catalyst for positive change in Surry County,” Surry County Commissioner Eddie Harris said in an interview with The Mount Airy News. “His humble origins never left him in his pursuit and love for our community college and making our county and region a better place to live.”
The Sheltons sold Shelco to a group of company executives in 2004. The company remains one of the largest general contractors in the state, according to CBJ research.
In a 2007 interview with CBJ as the brothers were being inducted into the N.C. Business Hall of Fame, Ed said of Charlie: “Charlie’s more construction-oriented than I am. I consider him a top-notch builder. He’s very good at analyzing costs and how to get things done. I concentrate more on sales and finance.”
The growth of the N.C. winery industry and Shelton Vineyards then became Charlie Shelton’s focus. According to the Shelton Vineyards website: “Charlie and Ed were also responsible for petitioning the federal government for American Viticultural Area recognition for North Carolina’s first AVA, The Yadkin Valley that was approved in 2003. Through their hard work and dedication to their state and community they have helped to put North Carolina back on the map as one of the top wine producing states in the nation.”
Shelton Vineyards was the third to begin operation in the Yadkin Valley and the 12th to open statewide, according to The Charlotte Observer. The brothers built a hotel nearby and held events there.
In other local news:
It seems the long-awaited refresh of a landmark building on Charlotte’s east side is moving forward. Axios Charlotte reports there’s a groundbreaking scheduled today for a major overhaul of the property at 4037 E. Independence Blvd., known as the Ervin Building or the Varnadore Building.
CBJ reported last spring that remediation work had started at the site. An executive with GVest Capital told CBJ at the time that the firm would demo the seven-story tower’s interior for a complete revamp, making way for fresh office space and a rooftop restaurant and bar while preserving the 1960s-era building’s exterior.
The ramping up of work at the property comes after years of vacancy and stalled plans for a makeover.
GVest is working with architecture firm McClure Nicholson Montgomery and general contractor Choate on the project, according to Axios. The Nichols Co. is handling leasing.
One of the region’s most active homebuilders has filed a lawsuit against the town of Davidson over a requirement that developers provide affordable-housing units or pay into a fund aimed at doing so, according to CBJ news partner WSOC.
And the Charlotte SHOUT! arts festival is slated to return this spring after a two-year, pandemic-induced hiatus following its debut in 2019.
Yesterday’s top-read story on the CBJ website: CLT hit hard by AA flight cuts. Here’s how many it scrapped from March schedule.
In the national news:
Sports:
Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has launched his own e-sports brand, called MB1, that will host tournaments on the platform One Up. according to the Sports Business Journal.
The Carolina Panthers reportedly agreed to contract terms with Ben McAdoo as offensive coordinator.
This week and beyond:
Find details about CBJ’s upcoming events at bizjournals.com/charlotte/event.
Attend Bizwomen Mentoring Monday and gain invaluable career insights from the women making strides in local business. It’s your year to make those ambitious career goals a reality!
Do you know any young professionals who stand out in the crowd? The Charlotte Business Journal is searching for the region’s 40 top business and civic leaders under the age of 40 to honor at the 29th annual 40 under 40 Awards! Nominate someone who has demonstrated a commitment to their career and community.
© 2022 American City Business Journals. All rights reserved. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated January 1, 2021) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated July 1, 2022). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of American City Business Journals.
About Author
