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Community Leaders to Graduate from CECSM Leadership Training |
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Aug. 23 – Fletcher, NC-
AdvantageWest is pleased to
announce that 14 communities
will graduate from leadership
training through the
Certified Entrepreneurial
CommunitySM
(CEC) program. The communities
include; Ashe County, Buncombe
County, Burke County, Eastern
Band of Cherokee Indian, Haywood
County, Macon County, McDowell
County, Mitchell County, Polk
County, Rutherford County, Swain
County, Transylvania County,
Watauga County, and Yancey
County. About Advantage West Economic Development Group AdvantageWest Economic Development Group (www.advantagewest.com) is a regional organization serving the 23 western most counties of North Carolina. Programs of AdvantageWest include the Blue Ridge Industrial Council, Blue Ridge Food Ventures LLC, Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council, the WNC Film Commission and MountainSouth USA. Strategic partners of AdvantageWest include the NC Department of Commerce, the Blue Ridge Angel Investors Network and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Elizabeth Voorhees Director-Marketing & Communications AdvantageWest Economic Development Group (828) 687-7234 office |
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Henderson County Chamber Announces Ambassador of the Quarter, 2nd Quarter 2007 |
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Rebecca Jones, a marketing consultant for Clear Channel Radio-My102.5/WMYI, has been awarded the Ambassador of the Quarter Award for the second quarter of 2007. This honor is presented to the Chamber Ambassador who acquires the most points during that quarter of the year by volunteering their time at various Chamber functions. Since becoming a member of the Chamber earlier this year Rebecca has actively participated in ribbon cuttings, grand openings, Business After Hours, and other Chamber events. Rebecca has lived in Hendersonville since 2001. She is married and has a son who is a sophomore at East Henderson High School. Rebecca states that “it’s an honor and a privilege to be an Ambassador for the Chamber.” “It gives me the opportunity to meet my business colleagues as I continue to get to know people within the community and let them know what a truly great resource the Chamber is for them.” The Chamber commends you Rebecca for all the time and hard work you consistently give!
The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is an 1100+ member business organization representing businesses in Hendersonville, Fletcher, Flat Rock, Laurel Park, Mills River and all of Henderson County. Through its board of directors and committees, the Chamber works to promote various programs and events benefiting the business community and enhancing Henderson County’s quality of life. If you would like more information on joining or becoming involved with the Chamber please contact us at chamber@hendersoncountychamber.org or 828.692.1413.
Rebecca Jones, Marketing Consultant Clear Channel Radio-My102.5/WMYI Phone: 864.271.5158, Fax: 864.242.9125
For more information please contact Mary Maxey at 828.692.1413 or mary@hendersoncountychamber.org. |
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Gardner-Webb University Fine Arts Presents Distinguished Artist Concert Tyler Lindsay, 12-Year Old Trumpet Sensation and Family to Perform |
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Aug. 22 - Boiling Springs,NC - The Lindsay Family, featuring 12-year old trumpet sensation Tyler Lindsay, who has played with Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval and other jazz greats as well as being featured on HBO, will be performing at the Blanton Auditorium on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Goodwill offerings accepted to benefit Gardner-Webb Fine Arts. Patricia C. Sparti, D.M.A., Chair Associate Professor of Music Fine Arts Department, Gardner-Webb University Music Director, GWU/Community Orchestra (704)-406-4453 W (704)-481-9157 H |
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Aug. 15, Forest City, NC – Rutherford County residents interested in starting a business can learn how to dodge some of the pitfalls at a free seminar in Forest City September 11. A panel of business leaders from the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and SCORE, an internationally known organization of volunteer business counselors, will lead the discussion at noon, September 11, Rollins Cafeteria, Forest City. The information session is free and open to the public. Lunch is the responsibility of each attendee. “We’re planning a free-wheeling roundtable discussion where each person present will be invited to jump in with comments,” said Connie Butler, Area Manager for SCORE. “This approach lets us get straight to areas of group interest with the widest range of opinions. This could be a life changing experience for those who have failed to follow through on their business ambitions for whatever reason. This is the first of what we hope will be many such discussions about starting your own business.” In addition to Butler, the discussion panel will include Chamber Director Bill Hall, Judy Golub, MBA, an educator and businesswoman and Terri St, John, President, St. John Title Company, LLC. Seating is limited for the September 11 event. Contact the Chamber at 287-3090 to reserve a place. SCORE, operating under the sponsorship of the Small Business Administration, provides counseling services and business information free of charge to anyone interested in starting a business or expanding an existing one. The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce brought an active arm of SCORE to the county in 2002. Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Bill Hall, 287-3090 |
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| Martin Marietta Materials Inc. Grand Opening and Dedication of the Kings Mountain Office Building Held August 10th | ||||
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King's Mountain - Aug. 14 - Martin Marietta’s Kings Mountain quarry has been in operation since 1939, and is Martin Marietta’s second oldest operation, at one time employing over 50 employees. Currently the operation produces between 600,000 and 800,000 tons of crushed stone for the aggregates industry annually. The Kings Mountain office construction project, was designed and managed by Don Champion the quarry Plant manager. Don worked at Martin Marietta for over 44 years, 34 of which were at the Kings Mountain Quarry. Unfortunately, Don Champion passed away on March 7, 2007 before seeing his completed project. The office and site is a truly beautiful addition to the quarry and is a great testament to how much Don cared for this operation. For all these reasons and so many more the new office was dedicated in Don’s memory. A dedication and ribbon cutting was held at 11:30 am on Friday August 10th, 2007. Many of Don’s family friends and co-workers attended in addition to city and county chamber officials. Following the dedication and ribbon cutting, lunch was served from 12:00 – 2:00pm. Town and Country Catering service provided a Barbeque lunch in addition to tents and music. For additional information about the dedication and ribbon cutting, call the Chamber at (704) 487-8521. www.clevelandchamber.org |
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(Lenoir, N.C.) - As construction of Google's data center in Lenoir ramps up, so do job and business opportunities in a region racked for years by losses. Six months after the company announced its plans in Lenoir, approximately 11 businesses are engaged in work at the 220-acre Google site (including six North Carolina-based businesses). Ranging from construction contractors to security operations, the businesses employ around 240 people, many from Caldwell County. "That's great news for our county, which has seen some of the highest unemployment numbers in North Carolina," says Faye Higgins, chairperson of the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners. "We're building a brighter future." Google's announcement also jump-started other business activity. Motels and restaurants are busy, and a previously deserted shopping center is in development to reopen. In addition to recently making the first hire for the data center (site manager Tom Jacobik), Google has also launched a Web site to provide information on the project (http://www.google.com/lenoir). "The area is in the process of rebuilding its economy," says Dale Carroll, president and CEO of AdvantageWest Economic Development Group, which introduced a site location firm to the region in April of 2005. This firm later became the lead consultant for the Google project. "The Google win is a big step forward in that ongoing effort. Whether it means hiring local folks or bringing in people who expand the talent pool here, we're seeing important progress." Back to Life For many in Caldwell County, Google's investment is reason to put faith in the future. John Moore grew up in Lenoir, but worried about his chances to build a prosperous future there. After graduating from college, he spent a decade far from home in the construction business. Moore still felt uncertain when he returned to Lenoir to start a family and a business - Brushy Mountain Builders. Then came the Google announcement. "That was the shot in the arm we've been waiting for," says Moore. "Google solidified our decision to invest here." Brushy Mountain Builders won a contract to provide carpentry, masonry and general labor at the Google site. Just as important as the work, according to Moore, is a sense of optimism: "When I was young our parents knew their kids would have to move away. But with new types of industry coming to town, we know that after college our kids will have good job opportunities here." Wackenhut Corporation provides security at the Google site and is among its largest employers. Former United States Army drill instructor and Valdese resident Kelly Bennett is among its approximately two dozen officers. "My wife and I are excited about the opportunities and benefits at Wackenhut," says Bennett. "There are housing developments currently under construction in town that I would love to provide for my family." Inspired by the Google announcement and the prospect of an economic upturn, Burlington-based Morton and Sharpe Commercial Development Group decided to buy and redevelop a shopping center in Lenoir. "We would not have bought the shopping center if it was not for the Google announcement," says David Morton, managing member. "And now we have a shopping center that is going to employ more than 100 local citizens." What's Ahead Google's data centers are a worldwide network of specialized buildings that contain the computers that support Google services. When complete, the Lenoir data center will employ more than 200 people at an average annual salary of $48,000 (the average salary for Caldwell County is $29,000). Plans call for the first building on the site to be operational at the end of 2007. When complete, Google will be the third largest taxpayer in the area. The company has already invested $4 million to cover certain existing development costs and costs to come. To prepare residents to compete for the new job opportunities, leaders at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute are developing an Information Technology Institute. The program will provide specialized training for entry-level information technology positions. "This area is working hard to complement traditional economic engines with new ones," says Carroll of AdvantageWest. "Google's presence is really a beginning rather than an end. It's providing good jobs and making a statement that our region is ready for the future." Carroll concluded, "Caldwell County and Western North Carolina are 'pointing and clicking' to a more prosperous future." About Advantage West Economic Development Group AdvantageWest Economic Development Group (www.advantagewest.com) is a regional organization serving the 23 western most counties of North Carolina. Programs of AdvantageWest include the Blue Ridge Industrial Council, Blue Ridge Food Ventures LLC, Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Council, the WNC Film Commission and MountainSouth USA. Strategic partners of AdvantageWest include the NC Department of Commerce, the Blue Ridge Angel Investors Network and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Elizabeth Voorhees Director-Marketing & Communications AdvantageWest Economic Development Group (828) 687-7234 office |
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August 1, 2007
– Henderson County Chamber of
Commerce, BRCC Small Business Center,
Hendersonville Merchants & Business
Assn. and Downtown Hendersonville, Inc.
will host the
Business Morning Update.
Sponsored by the NC Apple Festival, the
event will be held on Wednesday,
August 8, 2007. Arrive early
for coffee, snacks and network at 7:45.
The program will be at 8:00 a.m. and
will include: “Selecting and Retaining
the Right People”- Jim Miller,
Marcus Jones, County Engineering
Director, Interim Director of Parks and
Recreation. Business Morning Update is
held on the second Wednesday of every
month, except for the months of July and
December, at The Chariot which is
located on the corner of Seventh Avenue
& Church Street. It is a great
opportunity to network while gaining
knowledge and insight into
BRCC Small Business Center 828.694.1779
Downtown Hendersonville, Inc. 828.697.2022
About the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce -
The
For more information, contact Henderson County Chamber of Commerce
Tel: (828) 692-1413 Fax: (828) 693-8802 |
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