News
Employee Becomes Owner at Gibbs Hardware
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate the Grand Re-Opening of Gibb’s True Value Hardware with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 16, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize new business owners, Mike and Suzie McClure, and celebrate their new adventure. Gibb’s Hardware has been a cornerstone in downtown Old Fort since 1963, when Butch Gibb’s father originally opened the business. In 1969 the business moved to its current location on Main Street. For 55 years former
Meade - What's all the Buzz About?
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate the Grand Opening of Keeper’s Cut Meadery with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize new business owners, Charlie Meyers, Kathryn Curran and Kurt Meyers, and celebrate their new business. What started with a dream of a tasting room has turned into a two and a half year journey building one of Marion’s newest destination tasting rooms and event spaces. Keeper’s Cut Meadery, located in the
Do You Have a Business Succession Strategy?
If you own a business, you’ve always got plenty to think about: sales, marketing, employees, competition, industry trends, consumer preferences – the list goes on and on. It’s easy to get so caught up in your work that you might not take time to think about retirement. But if and when that day arrives, you’ll want to be prepared – which means you need a business succession plan. And you will have to put considerable thought and effort in selecting such a plan, because you’ve got several choices. You could
Are Women Better Investors Than Men?
Most of us would probably agree that men and women frequently behave differently, and these differences often show up in professional, family and social situations. Of course, this certainly doesn’t mean either gender has an advantage in these areas. However, here’s an interesting question: Do women possess attributes that may make them better investors?/p> Some evidence suggests this may indeed be the case. Consider the following: Long-term focus – Women seem to focus more on long-term goals, according
Women Must Look Beyond Social Security to Help Fund Retirement
Women tend to depend more on Social Security for several reasons, including longer life spans, lower average earnings and more time spent away from the workforce to care for family members. Nearly half of all senior unmarried women receiving Social Security benefits rely on them for 90 percent or more of their total income, according to the Social Security Administration. But this isn’t by choice, because Social Security payments by themselves are not enough to fund retirement. If you’re married, your
Vacation and Retirement: Different Goals Require Different Investment Strategies
To achieve any of your financial objectives, you need to save and invest – that much is clear. But just how you save and invest may differ from goal to goal. Let’s look at two common goals to see the differences in your savings and investment strategies. The first goal we’ll consider is a dream vacation – one lasting a couple of weeks or more, possibly to an exotic locale. So, for the investments you’ve designated to fund this vacation, you need two key attributes: liquidity and low risk. The liquidity
Thrifty Adventures Provides Outdoor Fun
Thrifty Adventures is opened year-round with 21 adventures to choose from: white-water and flat-water kayaking or rafting trips start in April with river tubing and waterfall rappelling starting in May. We have wetsuits and youth boats. Rock Climbing takes place year round, in winter we offer Mountaineering Courses and Ice Climbing. We also offer youth and Veteran programs. We have discounts for First Responders, Teachers, Veterans and Healthcare Professionals. An additional tidbit...Thrifty Adventures has
Vietnam Veteran's Photos on Exhibit at Mountain Gateway Museum
OLD FORT, NC – On Friday, May 24, the Mountain Gateway & Heritage Center in Old Fort will unveil its newest exhibit, A Thousand Words: Photographs by Vietnam Veterans. The exhibition of 30 color and black-and-white images—taken by North Carolina soldiers and assembled by Winston-Salem photographer Martin Tucker— focuses on the human elements of war, offering visitors the chance to see how the troops themselves chose to remember their time in Southeast Asia. “Vietnam was a complex conflict, ushering in a
New Production Schedule
Dart Sign & Trophy will be restructuring the business. I will be stoping production and will not be accepting any new jobs as of Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2019. It's important that my customers know that any orders currently on order will be completed and delivered. I will make an announcement at a future date when I may begin production again. I appreciate my customers for their loyalty and friendship over the years. It has been my privilege to have been able to create your items and be of service
Take a Closer Look at Myths Surrounding 529 Plans
If you want to help pay for your children’s college educations, you might want to consider contributing to a 529 plan. With this plan, your earnings grow federally tax-free, as long as the withdrawals are used for qualified higher education expenses such as tuition and room and board. Yet, you may have heard some things about 529 plans that are keeping you from investing in one. However, these concerns may be more myth than reality – so let’s take a look at a few of them.“I need a lot of money to contribute
TERRY HAMMOND TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH
HAMMOND PAYS TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY CASH AT THE ORCHARD On Thursday, June 20, the Orchard at Altapass will host the first of several evening performances of its summer season. From 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Terry Hammond will pay a musical tribute to Country Music Hall of Fame recipient, Johnny Cash. Hammond’s concert will feature several of Cash’s popular songs and stories of his life and struggles. Johnny Cash, who recorded his first song in 1955, gained notoriety with “I Walk the Line” from his Folsom Prison Blues
Scorecard Playoff Decides 2019 Chamber Golf Tournament
Sunny skies and smiling faces prevailed at the Marion Lake Club Golf Course this past Friday as golfers showed up to hit the links at The McDowell Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Spring Golf Classic. Twenty teams played in the Captain’s Choice-style tournament sponsored by Countryside Catering, Duke Energy, Holly’s Deli, Miller Realty & Development, Mountain Ridge Health & Rehab, and South McDowell Quarry. MLC Golf Pro Greg Parker and Chamber Executive Director Steve Bush sent players in two flights off on the
New Summer Activity Website For McDowell
Are you ready to fill your summer days with fun, family-friendly activities and make memories that will last a lifetime? McDowell Access to Care and Health (MATCH) and the McDowell Health coalition have partnered with Signature Web Design to create a new website, Summer in McDowell, that will showcase low-cost or free local activities for children and families to enjoy during the summer months in one easy to find format! We have an exciting opportunity for businesses to advertise through a small donation
Mountain Gateway Museum to Host New Farmer's Market in Old Fort
OLD FORT, NC – A new farmers’ market offering fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other edible products will open for the summer at Mountain Gateway Museum (MGM) in Old Fort, beginning Thursday, May 2. Organized by the museum in conjunction with Stock Wild Kitchen and the Old Fort Community Forum, with generous support from Silver’s Specialties, TAG Contracting Inc., and Greybeard Realty, the “MGM Farmers’ Market” will be held every Thursday from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. through October 3 on the
Samir's Celebrates 30 Years of Business
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce humbly celebrated a milestone achievement of 30 years of business with local business owner, Anwer Gillani of Samir Enterprises, LLC (Samir's). On Thursday, April 11, 2019, friends, family, and local dignitaries gathered at Samir's newest location to support their emotional friend, Anwer, who spoke of his humble beginings and the love he shares for his family, employees, and community. "My employees are my family, and I can't make it without them... and Marion is my
Catawba Valley Staffing Celebrates 20 Years
It was a great day for a celebration at the Catawba Valley Staffing this week as Chamber Board Chair Walt Bagwell and city officials Freddie Killough and Ann Harkey honored the crew on its milestone of 20 years of service to McDowell County! Hope Lowman (pictured here) Owner and President, and her daughter, Wendy Lowman Ward, CEO founded Catawba Valley Staffing Inc. in 1999 with the primary goal of taking what they learned in the previous decade and creating an exceptional staffing service centered around
What Can You Do With Your Tax Refund?
We’re getting close to the tax-filing deadline. For many of us, this means it’s that time of year when we get our biggest financial windfall – a tax refund. If you have recently received a refund, or are expecting to get one in the next few weeks, what should you do with it? Of course, you could just spend the money on something you want, but if you’d like to maximize the financial benefits from your refund, you might want to consider other options, including the following:Invest the money. In 2018, the
Best Economic Development Incentive Program
The Town of Marion was a recipient of the Best Economic Development Incentive Program at the March 13th Awards Ceremony of the State Main Street Conference for its Growing Entrepreneurs Marion - G.E.M project. “This year’s award-winning projects represent some of the state’s best downtown revitalization success stories. The projects being recognized are notable building rehabilitation projects, extraordinary public art projects, creative promotional activities, and public-private partnerships formed to
5 Ways to Separate Your Personal and Business Finances
By Marco Carbajo, Guest BloggerPublished: February 22, 2019 As a business owner, establishing a distinct separation between your personal finances and your business finances is pivotal for protecting your own assets and credit. This above all things should be a top priority for managing money the right way. An incorporated business is treated as a separate legal entitiy and it must be treated as such. For starters, separation between personal and business finances should be on the top of the list.
The Right Insurance Can Meet Both Short- and Long-term Needs
If you’re going to achieve your important financial goals, you’ll need to build an appropriate investment portfolio. But that’s only part of the story – because you also need to protect what you have, what you earn and what you’d like to leave behind. That’s why it’s a good idea to become familiar with the various types of insurance and how they can address short- and long-term needs. For starters, consider life insurance. You may have important long-term goals, such as leaving an inheritance for your
Marion Goes Vintage
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest retail space, Vintage Market, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, February 8, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize the new business and welcome owners Anthony Collins and Rick Letterman to the Marion business community. Vintage Market is part of an antique craze where everything is trending back to the older style, and people want stuff that has been restored or repurposed. Located upstairs in the old Belk
Your Financial Advisor Can Do Some “Life Coaching”
Life coaches – not surprisingly – strive to improve the quality of life of their clients. And financial professionals essentially embrace the same mission. So, if you decide to hire a financial advisor, you should expect to receive some “coaching” as you work toward all your important objectives, such as sending your kids to college, enjoying a comfortable retirement and leaving a legacy that can benefit the next generation. What tips from life coaches might you also get from your financial advisor? Here
Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest jewelry store, Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, February 7, 2019. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize the new business and welcome owner Kevin Tucker to the Marion business community. Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling is one of those unique places where old meets new and the aroma of fresh coffee fills the air. Located upstairs next to Crooked Door Coffee House, Bracelets, Baubles, & Bling
House Passes Bill Aimed at Getting Small Business Better Shot at Federal Contracts
Jan 21, 2019 by Michael GutaAs a small business, you might’ve tried to get a federal contract at some point. If you have, you know the process can be burdensome, complicated and full of obstacles, which is putting it mildly. To overcome some of these challenges, two bills (H.R. 226 and H.R. 227) introduced by newly appointed Chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business for the 116th Congress, Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-New York) were just passed by the House of Representatives. Small
TalentForce Wins National Award
TalentForceWINS INAVERO’S 2018 BEST OF STAFFING® CLIENT AND TALENT AWARDS Earned by less than two percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and CanadaShelby, NC January 18, 2019 - TalentForcea leading employment agency the industrial and clerical admin industries announced today that they have won Inavero’s Best of Staffing® Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and job seekers. Presented in partnership with CareerBuilder, Inavero’s Best of Staffing winners have proven
2019 Annual Banquet Features Nashville Musician!
Contact: Tina WolfeMcDowell Chamber of CommercePhone: 828.652.4240Email: twolfe@mcdowellchamber.comWeb: mcdowellchamber.com1170 W. Tate St. Marion, NC 28752 Press ReleaseSiriusXM Radio Host/Entertainer Live at the Annual Member Banquet!Blue Collar Radio & Family Comedy Channel Personality and Nashville Artist to be the first nationally-known act to perform at the Municipal Event Center FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarion, NC: January 2019 Prepare to laugh, tap your feet, and be inspired by nationally
Movies in the Mountains
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest movie theater, Mountain Marquee Cinema with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, December 6, 2018. The chamber staff and local dignitaries gathered to welcome co-owners Aaron Shirley & Cody Andrews to the Marion business family. Mountain Marquee is a small, locally-owned cinema that shows second-run, independent, and classic films in a comfortable and friendly atmosphere that includes a great selection of food as well as beer
Marion Gets Crafty With DIY Studio
The McDowell Chamber of Commerce was pleased to celebrate Marion’s newest DIY studio, The Makery, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, December 14, 2018. The purpose of the occasion was to recognize the new business and welcome owner Heidi Barrier to the Marion business community. The Makery is a Do-It-Yourself craft studio where you can choose from a wide variety of DIY projects that best compliment your home decor. From painting parties with the girlfriends to full blown corporate outings, The
New Audit Program Helps Employers Stay Compliant
Attention Employers! Have you discovered possible overtime violations within your company? The US Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has a new nationwide program called the Payroll Audit Independent Determination program or PAID. It facilitates the resolution of potential overtime and minimum wage violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The program’s primary objectives are to resolve such claims expeditiously and without litigation, to improve employers’ compliance with overtime
Chamber Announces Entrepreneurship Award Winners!
The holiday cheer was in full swing at Tom Johnson's Camping World where the McDowell Chamber of Commerce presented four area businesses with the coveted Tom Johnson Entrepreneurship Award at its Holiday After Hours Thursday, December 13, 2018. JC Property Professionals was a first-time winner this year while three of the businesses took home their second or third win. Ben Patton Land Surveying, Morris-Herron Heating & Cooling, and Right Way Pest Management represent our seasoned business owners that have
New Salon Brings High Fashion To Downtown Marion
High fashion, including trending hair and makeup styles, is now available at the new Studio K Salon owned by 21-year-old Katelyn Edwards. The Chamber of Commerce, county and city officials, friends and family came out to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Studio K on Wednesday, December 5 at 11 a.m. Katelyn, the county's youngest business owner to date, graduated from McDowell Technical Community College's Cosmetology School and has furthered her education through industry seminars and specialty
From Rentals to Home Sales, GreyBeard Realty Has You Covered
The cozy office overflowed with people and energy as the McDowell Chamber, the Old Fort Chamber, and local officials gathered inside the new Old Fort office of GreyBeard Realty at their official Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, November 29, 2018. GreyBeard Realty opened in 1999 as a rental management company but quickly shifted to include sales to accommodate the growing number of those relocating to the area. Owner Chip Craig expressed his excitement and gratitude at the ribbon cutting for the opportunity to
Old Fashioned Candy Shop Brings Sweets and Encouragement to Marion
Do you remember the excitement you felt rushing home from school, money in your pocket, headed to the local candy shop as quickly as you could? We all had our favorites from Dum Dum Pops and Good & Plenty to Chiclets and Snickers. Now candy-loving residents can experience that same joy with the opening of Moldz Candy Shop located at the corner of US 70 West and Hwy. 80 (where the old Little Siena was located). Along with owners Mindy Anderson and Dewey Lawson, the Chamber staff, city and county officials,
McDowell County Businesses Featured on The Matt Mittan Show
Several local, independently owned businesses in McDowell County were featured guests on Asheville BizRadio'sMatt Mittan Show this week to promote Small Business Saturday coming up Saturday, November 24 and to highlight the innovative work happening across all sectors; business, government, education, and nonprofit organizations. The Chamber membership voted on the businesses that are represented, which included a great variety and showed the diversity of our offerings and our community. From legacy
New Shop Features Appalachian Art of Wildcrafting
The art of wildcrafting (the practice of gathering native plants and botanicals for health and medicinal purposes) is a treasured tradition in the Appalachia. Nikki Chester, who recently opened her shop, Nourished By Nature on Henderson Street in downtown, fondly recalls learning the craft from her great-grandmother who grew up in nearby Yancey County. "It was what we did," she recalls. "When anyone was sick, we would call her and she would tell you what you needed." Nikki quickly took to wildcrafting and
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