|
INNOVATION,
COMMUNITY FOCUS LINK LATEST INDUCTEES
INTO THE NORTH CAROLINA BANKING HALL OF FAME |
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Oct. 23, 2007 - Pinehurst, NC - In
ceremonies held in the tradition-laden
Cardinal Ball Room at the Pinehurst Hotel in
Pinehurst, North Carolina, five titans of
the banking industry in North Carolina were
formally inducted into the North Carolina
Banking Hall of Fame. Though each of the
inductees had very different careers, two
common threads emerged in the presentations
leading up to each induction: all were
innovators and all were deeply rooted in
their own communities.
The first to be honored was Mr.
E. D. Gaskins, Sr., presented by his son, Ed
Gaskins. Gaskins was remembered for taking
the reins of a small bank in Monroe and
developing it into the statewide United
Carolina Bank. Monroe is the center of
Union County. Despite its proximity to
Charlotte, one of the nation’s leading
banking centers, Union County is an oasis of
progress and development surrounded by
counties displaying far less of either
quality. Much of this difference can be
attributed to the commitment Gaskins showed
to the developing businesses in his home
county and his appreciation of the
difference a bank can make in the capacity
of its customers to improve their economic
status.
Tom Storrs, former chairman and
CEO of NCNB, predecessor to Bank of America,
was presented for induction into the Hall of
Fame by his successor at the bank, Hugh
McColl. Among the dignitaries in the
audience was current Bank of America chief,
Ken Lewis. McColl touted Storrs’ unwavering
dedication to hiring and training as much
young talent as the bank could recruit.
Storrs believed that the bank must grow
rapidly and extensively to survive in the
future and that such expansion would require
depth of talent to manage the growth
successfully. McColl also credited his
mentor with establishing a culture of fact
based reasoning that is still the central
facet of the decision-making process of the
banking giant. Both McColl and Lewis are
products of the recruitment of young talent
that Storrs espoused in the early 1960’s.
John Medlin, retired Chairman
and CEO of Wachovia Bank, presented the late
Harlan Boyles, long-time State Treasurer of
North Carolina, into the Hall of Fame.
Boyles, lovingly remembered as “The Keeper
of the Public Purse,” in reference to the
book of that name that he authored after his
retirement, spent his entire career in
public service. After a short stint at the
North Carolina Department of Revenue, he
followed his mentor, Edwin Gill, to the
Department of State Treasurer. After 16
years as Chief Deputy for Gill Boyles,
enjoyed an unmatched tenure of 24-years as
Treasurer. He is credited with helping
establish the state’s triple A bond-rating
which has been instrumental in enabling
borrowing by the state and its
municipalities at favorable rates. Despite
his many accomplishments, Boyles remained a
humble man, answering his own phone whenever
it rang.
Rick Willetts, Chairman and CEO
of Cooperative Bank, in Wilmington had the
opportunity to put forth his father,
Frederick Willetts, Jr., for induction.
Rick, who is in the queue to become Chairman
of the new American Bankers Association
following its merger with America’s
Community Bankers, remembered his father’s
dedication to his hometown of Wilmington and
his generosity that needed no recognition.
He noted Fred’s willingness to chart a new
course. As an example, he recalled that
under his father’s leadership, Cooperative
Savings was the first thrift to branch in
North Carolina…before any regulations
existed for doing so.
The fifth member of the 2007
class (inductions occur every three years),
is William G. White, Jr., who guided First
Federal of Winston-Salem for decades. For
most of that time, recognizing the need of
the thrift industry to increase capital, he
fought for authorization for federally
chartered savings institutions to convert to
the stock form of ownership. He
successfully accomplished such a conversion
for First Federal and guided its growth
until its eventual acquisition by BB&T.
Throughout his career, he has been a leader
in many community undertakings and was
especially active with the YMCA. Since his
retirement, he has pioneered the
establishment of the Y Program in the former
Soviet Union and in Ukraine. Mr. White was
honored, additionally, by his friends and
former business associates with a $75,000
North Carolina Bankers Association
scholarship which will carry his name.
These inductees bring to 15 the
total membership in the Banking Hall of
Fame. They represent community banks, major
national banks, thrift institutions and
public service. They helped lay the
foundation for the metamorphosis that has
turned North Carolina into one of the
leading financial services centers in the
nation.
P.O. BOX 19999/RALEIGH, NC 27619-1999
(919) 781-7979/FAX (919) 881-9909
TOLL FREE: (800) 662-7044
For More Information Contact:
Sam Atkins,
sam@ncbankers.org |
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“Johnny Guitar the Musical” Coming to Shelby
October 26 |
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Oct. 23, 2007 – Shelby, NC - Greater Shelby
Community Theatre and Cleveland Community
College SGA present Johnny Guitar the
Musical. Based on the 1954 film
starring Joan Crawford, Johnny Guitar brings
a rousing original score with the sounds of
the 1950's lounge, western, and rock & roll
music to the cult classic. Set in a small
town in the New Mexico mountains circa 1865,
the musical centers on Vienna, played by
Julie Burton, a sultry saloon keeper who
built a booming business on her back.
Though Vienna is the ultimate "bad girl gone
good," her nemesis, the pent-up Emma, played
by Karen Lattimore sees things differently.
A domineering cattle baroness, Emma controls
the town with an iron fist but loses her
grip when she falls for the dangerously
hot-headed Dancin' Kid. By the time Johnny
Guitar,played by Frank Lattimore, a tall
stranger with a secret past rolls into town,
the stage is set for a showdown. Show times
and dates are October 26&27, November 2&3 at
7:30 pm and October 28 and November 4 at
2:30pm. Performances take place in the
Mildred Keeter Auditorium on the campus of
Cleveland Community College in Shelby, NC.
For more information or group rates email
Sean@gsct.org
or see the website www.gsct.org. |
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Rutherfordton, Forest City Site for Final
“Meet the Candidates” Forums |
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Oct. 6, 2007 – Forest City, NC - Candidates for municipal
offices in Rutherfordton and Forest City
will face the voters October 9-11 in the
final series of Chamber political forums
before the November
elections.
Forums for the Forest City candidates will be
conducted at 7 p.m. in
the County Schools Administration Building.
Both events are being sponsored by
Rutherford County Bank.
Forest City mayoral candidates will take the
floor Tuesday,
October 9, in what is probably one of the
more watched races in the county. Incumbent
mayor Jimmy Gibson is being challenged by
city councilman Shawn
Moore and longtime local political figure
Keith Price. Jim Bishop of WCAB radio will
be moderator for the evening. Timekeeper is
Teri St. John, St. John Title Co. and
greeters will be Melissa Cantrell, Carolina
Trust and Karen Marshall, Smith’s Drugs of
Forest City.
Candidates for Forest City commissioner will be
featured on Wednesday evening,
October 10. They
are: David Esker,
Bill Green, Dee Dee
Griffith-Bright, Randy M. Herring, Jackie
Harris, Chris Lee, Tommy
McBrayer and
Roger (Buck) Petty. Hunt Cowan, Cowan Tire
and Batter Co., is the moderator, Teri St.
John, timekeeper and Karen Marshall and
Melissa Cantrell, greeters.
Christy Bare, Mike Davis and Bob E. Jones, will
make their cases for Rutherfordton City
Council seats Thursday evening, October 11,
7 p.m., County Annex Building,
Rutherfordton. Gene Booth, Booth Realty,
will serve as moderator and Terri St. John,
St. John Title Co., timekeeper. Bill Morris
of sponsoring Mountain 1st Bank
and trust and Jimmy
Dancy,
CitiFinancial, will be the greeters.
The forums are being produced by the Rutherford
County Chamber of Commerce as a public
service.
Rutherford County Chamber of
Commerce
Bill Hall, 287-3090 |
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North Carolina Bankers Association Business
Barometer
“The Economy Will Dodge a Recession” |
|
The key for economic growth
continues to be employment
growth which is the biggest
driver for consumer spending.
Job growth for the year averaged
148,000 a month till the 4,000
decline for the month of
August. Jobless claims in
September have been falling
suggesting job growth. The
unemployment rate is 4.6% which
is well under the average rate
of the past 20 years of 5.5
percent. Employment growth is
slowing but is still strong
enough to support spending.
Consumer spending accounts for
about 67% of the U.S. Economy
and it actually increased in
August by the largest amount
since October of 2006.
Another plus for consumers is
the increase in household net
worth to a new record level of
$57.9 trillion at the end of the
2nd quarter of this year. Most
of the increase was attributable
to increases in the value of
stocks and bonds. Housing
contributed very little to net
worth and will be a drag on the
number for the rest of this year
and into next.
A major plus for the economy so
far in this expansion has been
corporate profits. Corporate
profit growth has declined from
the double digit rates of 2006
but has remained strong. For
the third and fourth quarters of
this year we will see a further
slowing of profit growth down to
the 2-4% level. The Federal
Reserve (FED) will cut rates to
4.25% by the 1st
quarter of 2008. Corporate
profit growth, household income
growth, additional FED action,
and the level of household
wealth will grow real consumer
spending in the range of 3%
which will keep the economy
growing about 2.25% for the rest
of the year.
The manufacturing sector of
the economy is doing better than
most economists projected. The
ISM Purchasing Managers Index
has been above the important
level of 50 for the past 7
months and 46 out of the last 48
months. The credit crunch and
problems in the global markets
do not appear to be slowing
manufacturing activity. Much of
this strength is due to the
value of the dollar being at
record lows against the euro and
other currencies and the
resulting growth in exports.
The housing sector continues to
be a drag on the economy. New
home and existing home sales
continue to fall. Existing
homes sales in August were at
the slowest rate since the
summer of 2002 and home prices
are falling. Inventories of
unsold homes are at 16 year
highs. Housing will hit bottom
by the end of the year.
North Carolina has experienced
rapid population growth in this
decade. Between 2000 and the
summer of 2005, our increase was
7.88 percent while only 5.33%
for the nation. Even with the
huge increase in population our
unemployment rate has dropped
over the last two years to the
present rate of 4.8 percent.
Total employment has increased
about 175,000 since January
2006.
North Carolina’s economy will continue to grow at about 2.25% for the
remainder of the year or at
about the same rate as the
national economy. We are adding
jobs and our unemployment rate
should remain near its present
level.
For More Information Contact:
Dr. Harry Davis
NCBA Economist and Professor of
Banking
Appalachian State University
(828) 262-6245
davishm@appstate.edu
North Carolina Bankers
Association
P.O. BOX 19999/RALEIGH, NC
27619-1999
(919) 781-7979/FAX (919)
881-9909
TOLL FREE: (800) 662-7044
|
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North Carolina Bankers
Association Management Team
Conference in Pinehurst, Oct. 14
– 16 |
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Oct. 2, 2007 - RALEIGH, NC
–
The North Carolina Bankers
Association
will hold its 2007 Management
Team Conference in Pinehurst,
October 14-16.
Speakers at this year’s
Conference will include:
·
JOSEPH B. CHESHIRE V,
Partner, Cheshire Parker Schneider Bryan & Vitale,
Raleigh, who was one of the
defense attorneys in the Duke
lacrosse case. His speech is
entitled, “Lessons Learned in
the Duke Lacrosse Fiasco.”
·
COLONEL LAWRENCE B. WILKERSON,
Harriman Visiting Professor of
Government and Public Policy,
Former Chief of Staff to former
Secretary of State Colin Powell,
the College of William and Mary,
who will discuss “Six High
Priority Actions for the New
President.”
·
GEORGE SCHLOEGEL,
CEO, Hancock Bank, Gulfport,
Mississippi, will discuss “What
is Your Role in a Major
Disaster.”
On Sunday, October 14, there
will be a Hall of Fame Banquet
where the third class of five
recipients will be inducted into
the N.C. Banking Hall of Fame.
They are:
·
Harlan E. Boyles (deceased),
North Carolina State Treasurer
Tribute by John G. Medlin, Jr.
·
E.D. Gaskins, Sr., American Bank
& Trust, Monroe
Tribute by E. D. Gaskins, Jr.
·
Thomas I. Storrs, NCNB
Corporation, Charlotte
Tribute by Hugh L. McColl, Jr.
·
William G. White, Jr., First
Federal Savings & Loan,
Winston-Salem,
Tribute by F. Ed Broadwell, Jr.
Frederick Willetts, Jr.,
(deceased) Cooperative Savings &
Loan, Wilmington
Tribute by Frederick Willetts
III
The press is invited to cover
the conference. A staff room
will be available for
interviews. There may be some
time allotted for questions and
answers following the speeches.
A media packet is available with
an agenda and directions. Please
advise if there are any specific
needs.
The North Carolina Bankers
Association brings together all
categories of banking
institutions to best represent
the interests of this rapidly
changing industry. With 151
members, it has served all North
Carolina bankers since 1897, and
can be found on the World Wide
Web at
http://www.ncba.com.
Sam Atkins
Community Affairs Coordinator
NC Bankers Association
P.O. BOX 19999/RALEIGH, NC
27619-1999
(919) 781-7979/FAX (919)
881-9909
TOLL FREE: (800) 662-7044 |
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Rutherford County Chamber of
Commerce
encourages show of
support at Duke Energy hearing
Sept. 18 |
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Sept. 14, 2007- Rutherford
County - Directors of the
Rutherford County Chamber of
Commerce today issued an appeal
for
community support of
Duke Energy at the Division of
Air Quality Hearing, 6 p.m.,
September 18,
Chase
High School.
he hearing is the final step in
what has been a long process to
get
approval for
construction of a new power
plant at Cliffside.
“The Chamber
encourages Rutherford County
Citizens in favor of the plant
to attend
the hearing and
demonstrate their support,”
said Chamber president Larry
Brown. Brown added that those in
attendance
will be afforded an
opportunity to make statements
if they desire.
The proposed
plant is the product of
numerous
Duke studies of how best
to meet the area’s growing
demand for electricity. The new
plant will incorporate the most
advanced technology available
for a coal-fired
operation
and will retire older
facilities now in use. Duke’s
plans meet or exceed federal and
state environmental
requirements.
Construction
of the facility
will
provide hundreds of local
jobs as well as sub-contracting
opportunities for many county
business operations.
Rutherford
County Chamber of Commerce
Bill Hall, 287-3090 |
|
Rutherford County Chamber Hosts
Informal Discussion about
Starting
a Business or Making One Better-
September 11 |
|
September 6, Forest City, N.C. - Rutherford
countians
thinking about taking the big
leap into private business will
gain a lot from a Chamber
–sponsored business discussion
to be held at noon September 11,
Rollins Cafeteria,
Forest
City.
Participation
is free
and open to the public.
Discussions will be in English
and Spanish.
Discussion leaders from private
business, the Rutherford County
Chamber of Commerce,
SCORE and
Foothills Connect will be on
hand to field questions, offer
counsel and encouragement and
discuss business problems in
general.
“We’ve never tried anything like this
before,” said Connie Butler,
area
manager of SCORE,
(Service Corps of Retired
Executives) and one of the
discussion leaders. “Our
objective is to cover a wide
area of individual business
concerns brought by
participants. We
feel the
informality of the open
discussions and the sharing of
information and concerns will
lead to very positive results.
Discussion leaders are: Teri St. John,
SCORE counselor and President,
St. John Title Co.; Judy
Golub,
MBA, former business owner,
SCORE counselor and Spanish
language teacher; Tim Will,
Executive Director, Foothills
Connect Business and Technology
Center,extensive business
experience, speaks fluent
Spanish ; Connie Butler, past
owner of several businesses,
seasoned business counselor with
SCORE and Bill Hall, Executive
Director, Rutherford County
Chamber of Commerce and past
owner/originator of several
small businesses.
Rutherford
County Chamber
of Commerce
Bill Hall, 287-3090 |
|
Public Invited to a Free
“Distinguised Artist Concert”
Performance at Gardener Webb
University on September 13 |
|
Sept. 6, - Boiling Springs, NC -
Two guest musicians, Eva Amsler
and Dr. Leo Welch, will be
performing on the Gardner-Webb
University campus
at 8:00PM,
Thursday, Sept 13, 2007, in
Blanton Auditorium.
Eva Amsler,
assistant professor of Flute at
the Florida State University
College of Music, and Dr. Leo
Welch, assistant dean of the
Florida State University College
of Music, will give a master
class on building a career in
music in Gardner Recital Hall at
9:25AM, and will then give a
duo
recital at 8:00 p.m.
Amsler's master class at 12 noon
will take place in Blanton
Auditorium and is entitled,
“Dynamic Integration:
how the body works and responds
while performing music.”
Student musicians will perform
and Amsler will work
on body awareness.
Dr. Welch's master class will
work with classical guitar
students. His class will meet at
12 noon in Gardner
Recital Hall.
The duo has performed recital
and presented master classes in
such prestigious venues as
Carnegie Hall and The Peabody
Conservatory. The duo recital
will feature works for flute and
guitar from the 17th century to
the 20th century.
Amsler, who will perform on
flute for the event, previously
served on the faculty of the
State Conservatory of Music in
Feldkirch, Austria and conducts
master classes in Europe, the US
and Asia. She was a member of
the St. Gallen Symphony
Orchestra in Switzerland for 20
years. Her concert activity as a
soloist and chamber musician has
brought her together with
performers such as Aurele
Nicolet, Barbara Schlick, and
the Carmina Quartet. Mrs.
Amsler's CD recordings are on
the Ambitus and Cavalli labels.
Dr. Leo Welch, guitar, is
Assistant Dean of the Florida
State University College of
Music. Active both as a solo and
chamber musician, he has been
hailed as an "interpreter of
style and grace" by the
Charlestown Daily Mail. As an
editor and arranger, he has
published over thirty-five
arrangements of solo, chamber
and guitar ensemble works.
All events are free and open to
the public. Good-will offering
taken to support Gardner Webb
Fine Arts. |
|
Annual Update of Key Facts About
Women-Owned Businesses |
|
Aug 28, 2007
- Washington, DC
– The
most widely distributed source
of facts on women-owned
businesses was released today by
the Center for Women’s Business
Research. The pocket-sized
fold-out contains the top line
findings from current research
by the Center and is expanded
this year to also include facts
from related research.
Key Facts about Women-Owned
Businesses – 2007 Update,
is underwritten by the
MassMutual Financial Group.
“The Center for Women’s Business Research launched the ’fact
card’ 14 years ago,” said
Margaret M. Smith, chair, Center
for Women’s Business Research.
“Since then it has expanded from
four panels to 10 panels of the
most up-to-date knowledge about
women-owned businesses. Today,
it is one of our signature
products and is always in high
demand. Everyone from
researchers, government
officials, business
representatives and reporters
know that if they have this
card, they have a good overview
of the status and significance
of this nation’s 10.4 million
women-owned businesses at their
finger tips.”
In addition to the number of women-owned firms, the fact card
contains the following facts,
among others:
-
Women-owned firms employ
nearly 13 million people and
generate $1.9 trillion in
sales.
-
Between 1997 and 2006,
majority women-owned firms
(51 percent or more
women-owned) grew at twice
the rate of all firms (42
percent vs. 24 percent).
-
The vast majority (83
percent) of women business
owners are personally
involved in selecting and
purchasing technology for
their businesses.
-
Women owners of firms with
revenues of $1 million or
higher embrace financial
measurements as management
tools and produce more
financial reports more often
than smaller firms.
-
There are 2.4 million firms
owned 50 percent or more by
women of color in the U.S.,
employing 1.6 million people
and generating nearly $230
billion in sales.
-
More than two-thirds (67
percent) of women business
owners choose financial
products and services based
on their relationship and
experience with a lender.
“The fact card speaks to the increasingly important and
influential roles that women
play as business owners,
employers, and consumers,” said
Susan W. Sweetser, Vice
President, Focus Markets,
MassMutual. “We’re committed to
their continued success, which
is why MassMutual has assumed a
leadership role in serving women
business owners for both their
business and personal financial
needs.”
“MassMutual has been a long-time partner with the work of the
Center for Women’s Business
Research,” said Sharon Hadary,
executive director. “In fact it
sponsored the first fact card,
and has continued support for
creating more opportunity for
women-owned firms through
underwriting research. We are
pleased to have MassMutual
sponsoring the fact card again
this year.
To obtain copies of the
fact card, email
info@womensbusinessresearch.org
or call Christopher Clark at
202.638.3060 x 718. Cost is
$70.00 per packet of 100.
Discounts are available for the
Center’s corporate partners,
supporters, and members of women
business owner associations.
For further information, contact
the Center for Women’s Business
Research, 1411 K Street, N.W.,
Suite 1350, Washington, DC,
20005-3407.
About the Center for Women’s
Business Research
The Center for Women’s Business
Research provides data-driven
knowledge that advances the
economic, social, and political
impact of women business owners.
We do this by setting the
national agenda; creating
insight on the status and
achievements of women business
owners; altering perceptions
about the economic viability and
progress of women-owned
enterprises, and driving
awareness of the economic and
social impact of this vital
business sector. For more
information, visit
www.womensbusinessresearch.org.
About MassMutual
MassMutual Financial
Group is the fleet name for
Massachusetts Mutual Life
Insurance Company (MassMutual)
and its affiliates, with more
than $450 billion in assets
under management at year-end
2006. Assets under management
include assets and certain
external investment funds
managed by MassMutual's
subsidiaries.
Founded in 1851, MassMutual
is a mutually owned financial
protection, accumulation and
income management company
headquartered in Springfield,
Mass. MassMutual's major
affiliates include:
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; Babson
Capital Management LLC; Baring
Asset Management Limited;
Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers
LLC; MML Investors Services,
Inc., MassMutual International
LLC and The MassMutual Trust
Company, FSB. MassMutual is on
the Internet at
www.massmutual.com.
Contact: Juanita M. Weaver
Director of Media & Strategic
Alliances
Center for Women’s Business
Research
202-638-3060 x 719
jweaver@womensbusinessresearch.org
Kathleen Gilroy (for MassMutual)
Madison Communications
617-723-4891
kgilroy@madisoncommunications.com |
|
Community Leaders to Graduate
from CECSM Leadership
Training |
|
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.
The CECSM
program is based on a five step
program developed by the Center
for Rural Entrepreneurship
Institute (RUPRI). AdvantageWest
is the first region in the
country to implement a rigorous
method to certify communities as
entrepreneur-ready. Communities
that finish the program will
receive ongoing support and
marketing from AdvantageWest,
pursuit of infrastructure
enhancements for e-Commerce,
better access to capital and
people, simpler permitting and
licensing, and the creation of a
peer network through the
program. Communities have
already benefited from
participating in the five step
process. Gary Dills of Macon
County shared that, "the
community has become
increasingly engaged in the
process".
AdvantageWest's CEO Dale Carroll
will share the CEC program's
success on the news program,
Carolina Business Review,
scheduled to air on UNC-TV
Sunday, August 26th at 12:30 pm.
Carroll will cover topics that
include the progress of the
200-employee/$600 million
Google project in Caldwell
County and AdvantageWest's
upcoming capital and
entrepreneur conference. Keynote
speakers for the October 11th
Carolina Connect event
include NC Treasurer Richard
Moore, and serial entrepreneur
and venture capitalist Guy
Kawasaki.
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
evoorhees@awnc.org Sign
up for AdvantageWest e-news!
|
|
Henderson County Chamber
Announces Ambassador of the
Quarter, 2nd Quarter 2007 |
|
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 |
|
|
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
psparti@gardner-webb.edu |
|
Rutherford Chamber,
SCORE Team-up for
Discussion
on Starting a Business in
Rutherford County |
|
|
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 |
|
Martin Marietta Materials Inc. Grand Opening and Dedication of the Kings Mountain Office Building
Held
August 10th |
|
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 |
|
Chamber of Commerce Plans
Forums for All County
Municipal Candidates |
|
Aug. 8 – Rutherfordton
- The Rutherford County Chamber
of Commerce plans to take its
popular “Meet the Candidates”
program to towns and communities
throughout the county for the
upcoming elections.
“Meet the Municipal Candidates” will
be conducted in Lake Lure,
Bostic,
Ellenboro, Forest City and
Rutherfordton beginning
September 27 and ending October
11. Each meeting will be
handled by Chamber members
residing in the particular
municipality.
This is a “first “
for the Chamber of
Commerce. Political forums in
the past have usually been held
at a single location. “We wanted to make it easier for
voters to attend these important
information meetings,” said
Chamber president Larry Brown.
“Hearing what a candidate has to
say and being able to ask
questions promotes voter
interest
and helps in making
ballot decisions.”
“Meet the Municipal Candidates”
schedule:
Chimney Rock
councilman and Lake Lure
mayoral and commissioner
candidates, Thursday,
September 27, Municipal Hall,
Lake Lure, 7:00
p.m;
Spindale council ,
Monday, October 1, Spindale
House, 7:00 p.m.;
Bostic
commissioner, Tuesday, October
2, East Middle School. 7:00
p.m.; Ellenboro alderman,
Thursday, October 4, Ellenboro
Grammar School, 7:00 p.m.;
Forest City mayoral race,
Tuesday, October 9, County
School Administration Building,
Forest City, 7:00
p.m;
Forest City
commissioners, Wednesday,
October 10, County School
Administration Building, 7:00
p.m.; Rutherfordton city
council, Thursday, October 11,
County
Annex
Building,
7:00 p.m.
Rutherford
County Chamber of Commerce
Bill Hall, 287-3090
|
|
New Jobs, New Opportunities
Click in Caldwell County |
|
$600 Million Google Project
Boosts Business |
|
|
(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
evoorhees@awnc.org Sign
up for AdvantageWest e-news!
|
|
2007 Summit for the Nonprofit
Sector |
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|
The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits, the Nonprofit Risk
Management Center, and NCGives will host
the 2007 Summit for the Nonprofit Sector
on October 24-26 in Winston-Salem, North
Carolina.
The three co-hosts have joined forces to
provide an affordable, content-filled
program offering three days of plenary
sessions, workshops, concurrent
sessions, one-on-one consultations with
nonprofit practitioners and consultants
and roundtable discussions with
prospective foundation, business and
government funders.
Leaders of hundreds of nonprofit
organizations from across the country
will gather at the Twin City Quarter
complex to network and discuss hot
topics and trends in all aspects of
nonprofit governance, management, and
leadership. Topics include risk
management, collaboration, financial
issues, fundraising, boards,
organizational planning and evaluation,
and human resources.
This premier nonprofit event is expected to draw 800 - 1,000
nonprofit professionals from across the
country!
About the Summit -www.ncnonprofits.org/conference.asp
About The North Carolina Center for
Nonprofits -
www.ncnonprofits.org
About the Nonprofit Risk Management
Center-
www.nonprofitrisk.org
About NCGives-
www.ncgives.org |
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Business Morning Update Slated
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