A year ago, Bissell CEO Ned Curran (second from left) and other dignitaries lined up for the topping out of the Gragg Building in the Ballantyne Corporate Park. This week, MetLifes decision to occupy the entire Gragg Building, as well as part of the adjacent Woodward Building, is sweet vindication. By committing to such a large project, Smoky Bissell bet on Charlotte and on Ballantyne in tough times, Ned tells us. Its nice to see the bet paid off. (We're still reeling from picking DeVry in our NCAA bracket--so we're happy someone has luck.)

Ned adds that Ballantynes able to compete for such a large corporate presence by offing sustainable building products and practices, and an array of live-work options. Charlotte itself is clearly able to compete now on the national stage, with its combo of a pro-business attitude, major airport, and exec housing stock (plus weather mostly without icy winters or blistering summers).