Make no mistake, the biggest Triad business story this past week — in quite a while — was the news that RF Micro Devices plans to merge with Hillsboro, Ore.-based TriQuint Semiconductor.

I'd quibble only to say that if the combined company is effectively based in GSO, it's not just the biggest business story in the Triad but the biggest story, period. 

I keep saying this to people, here and in the physical world, where I've bent the ears of some movers and shakers in the past few days.

I get a lot of polite nods.

I don't think people quite get what this could mean to the region and the state.