RALEIGH, NC-Silicon Access Networks Inc. of San Jose, CA plans to be in business here by yearend with a staff of 30. The software manufacturer hopes set up partnerships with other third-party hardware and software companies that use its new chipset.

CHARLOTTE-Although industry experts say most areas can't cope with more product, the silver screens continue to proliferate throughout the Charlotte region. North Mecklenburg County alone will have 40 screens by next spring.

CHEROKEE, NC-The expansion agreement for Harrah's Cherokee Casino was signed in Raleigh by Gov. Jim Hunt and Cherokee Chief Leon Jones. The US Department of Interior still has to approve the deal.

CHARLOTTE-The Hearst Corp. will occupy about 200,000 sf in the 46-story, $160 million building. Bank of America Corp., the asset's lead developer, will take about 475,000 sf. The building is expected to be fully rented months in advance of its scheduled 2002 opening.

CHARLOTTE- The New York-based pension fund advisor and investment company paid Northwestern Mutual Life $32.89 per sf for the 456,000-sf, four-building Nations Ford Business Park here.

WILMINGTON, NC-With numerous offers on the table, no matter which developer walks away with the contract, the city can't lose. A decision will be made before the end of the year.

COLUMBIA, SC-Harbor Group International, operating from its local headquarters in Norfolk, has purchased two Koger Office Parks--one here and one in Nashville.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC-IBM's four-building, 700,000-sf software lab is about to get tweaked into a more open team-oriented facility.