News
How can women overcome obstacles to financial security?
On March 8, we observe International Women’s Day, a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Of course, women still tend to encounter more obstacles than men in the pursuit of financial security. Let’s consider a few of them. To begin with, women are still more likely to leave the workforce, at least temporarily, to raise children, resulting in lower contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k)s. And women are often the ones who become
Free Books on Retirement Planning and Distribution
Retirement has changed as should the way you save. In my over 28 years of experience helping people plan for and implement retirement planning strategies, I have seen my fair share of changes. With the current, almost 28 trillion debt and the looming tax increase in 2026 rethinking how you save for retirement and how you take distributions from your retirement plans is critical to your retirement success. To help, I have two books that can help you both written by financial leader and author Martin H. Ruby,
MHM Awarded Best Place To Have A Baby!
Mission Hospital McDowell has been recognized for the second year in a row by Newsweek as a 2021 Best Maternity Hospital. The designation said hospital CEO Carol Wolfenbarger, " ... is a testimony to the continued compassionate and expert care that our obstetric and pediatric providers deliver consistently to our patients partnered with the excellence in nursing care provided by our Birth Center team." Nancy Cooper, editor of Newsweek, notes that “this designation means your maternity care program is
.jpg)
2020 McDowell Strong Awards Ceremony
The McDowell County Chamber of Commerce is dedicating its Annual Banquet to honor those in our community that exhibited strength, fortitude, acuity, compassion, and tenacity in the face of the upsets and disorder of 2020. The McDowell Strong Awards Ceremony will be a free, live virtual event on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. As the word normal morphed into new meanings across the nation, and Zoom no longer meant a fast Mazda car, residents, businesses, schools, and organizations shifted gears
Discover Winter Farms
The Visit NC Farms app features over 1,000 destinations and counting! Farmers Markets & Fisheries are invited to join now from any county. That's right. More and more local farms, food and agribusiness destinations have joined the Visit NC Farms app. If your local farmers market made up of multiple growers and producers from your community has not yet joined the app, here's your chance. Fisheries to include seafood, shellfish, wild caught and aquaculture operations are also invited to join in.Click here
Member Monday-Transworld Systems, Inc
Arthur Parks, Transworld Systems, Inc. By Tina M. Wolfe What makes a successful man? Is it his magnetic demeanor pulling energy from the room as he enters? Is it his noble character, or quiet demeanor that makes others spill out their troubles to a trustworthy soul? While greatness can mean many things to many people, we all seem to recognize magnanimity. In a recent sit-down with Marion native and business leader Arthur Parks, I couldn’t help but notice a unique character combination that played out
Jeff Kincaid Insurance Group Merges with Debbie Whittemore Agency
Debbie Whittemore and Jeff Kincaid Insurance Group have merged into one location to create an insurance center with over 100 years of combined experience. Jeff Kincaid started his insurance career in Hickory in 1990 and has obtained many prestigious Nationwide Insurance awards including multiple Champion awards. His ability to adapt to the many changes in the industry as well as his vision as a business owner have allowed him to add locations in Morganton, Shelby, Forest City and Marion in addition to
Estate Planning for Blended Families
If you’re in a blended family, you’re already aware of the emotional and financial issues involved in your daily life. But what about the future? When it’s time to do your estate planning – and it’s never too soon for that – you’ll need to be aware of the entanglements and complexities that can get in the way of your vision for leaving the legacy you desire. You can take comfort in knowing that you’re far from alone. More than half of married or cohabiting couples with at least one living parent, or
FREE Small Business Finance Seminars
Small Business Finances Learn to keep your business finances on track! FREE finance seminars are held at the MTCC Universal Advanced Manufacturing Center, Room 111, from 6pm-9pm. March 2, 2021: Bookkeeping Basics - Entering Transactions March 4, 2021: Accounting Basics - Understanding Transaction Entries March 9, 2021: QuickBooks, Part #1: Introduction March 11, 2021: QuickBooks, Part #2: Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable March 16, 2021: QuickBooks, Part #3: Financial Statements March 18, 2021:
G5 Trail Collective - Upcoming Events
We have work days scheduled for the trails around Old Fort on the first Friday and second Saturday of each month from February through May. See more details and sign up for those below. We'll post the dates and details for August through November over the summer. Work days will start and finish at the Old Fort Ride House beside Kitsbow and Hillman Beer at 59 Commerce St. Old Fort NC 28762. Please wear sturdy shoes and long pants, and bring water, snacks, and any personal protective equipment (PPE) you
Burke Hospice Now Offering Virtual Support Group
VALDESE – Grief is something nearly everyone will experience at some point in their lives. Many people feel sadness, anger, confused and alone. Now, more so than ever, dealing with grief, particularly the loss of a loved one, is more challenging than ever. Due to restrictions from COVID-19 those faced with loss are having to learn how to handle grief differently and may feel isolated with their grief – but they are not alone. Burke Hospice & Palliative is now offering a virtual grief support program –
Opportunity Zone Tax Extension
Due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, in June 2020 the IRS provided taxpayers additional time to invest in Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds through the end of 2020. Since the original deadline has passed and the pandemic is still ongoing, the IRS has again provided additional relief for Opportunity Zone Fund investors. Usually, a taxpayer would have 180 days after a capital gain is realized to invest in a Qualified Opportunity Zone Fund. However, with this additional relief if the end of the
PPP Reminder from the SBA
Friendly reminder! The SBA has re-opened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to all participating PPP lenders. PPP provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. SBA is currently offering: First Draw PPP loans- for those borrowers who have not received a PPP loan before August 8, 2020. Second Draw PPP loans- for eligible small businesses with 300 employees or less and that previously received a First Draw PPP loan. These borrowers
Member Monday: Robertson Packaging Supply, Inc.
By Tina M. Wolfe Keeping a business running smoothly requires consistent attention to every aspect of that business. From the meticulous care of financial budgets and margins to the personal attention and service to customers, business owners are multi-talented, ambitious, and assiduous creators and problem-solvers. Actualizing success becomes a bit easier when you have a dream team with equal but opposite skill sets working together. Brandon and Sarah Whitson are the personal and professional partners
Get COVID Funding Updates with SBA Speakers
Tomorrow - Thursday, January 21st 9:00am - 10:00a.m. SBA and the SBTDC COVID-19 Business Recovery and Resiliency Program will provide a general overview of the PPP related to provisions in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (the Economic Aid Act) from the US SBA - NC District Office. Agenda:Where We Are / Key DatesFirst Draw PPP LoansSecond Draw PPP LoansForgiveness UpdatesWhat to do Now / Additional Resources Speakers include SBA Acting District Director Michael
National Funding Sources for Small Business
NEW SBA RESOURCE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC! SBA has curated list of thousands of funding sources at the national, state, regional, and local levels designed to support small businesses in accessing capital to recover from COVID-19. The opening page captures programs that are available nationally. Visitors then only need to enter a ZIP code of interest to see which programs their area may be eligible. The information is current as of the date of publication, so resource availability may change over time. You
News Release: 1/13/2021
VALDESE – Burke Hospice & Palliative Care recently received a $1,500 gift from the Beatrice Cobb Trust. The funds will be used to replace and outdated automated external defibrillator (AED) and assist in the cost of training staff on the equipment. An AED is used during emergency, cardiac situations, said Burke Hospice & Palliative Care Community Nurse Liaison Bobbie Self, and can be administered by any staff member – even non-medical – who are trained on the equipment. The AED is a newer model, but
Chamber Announces New Board Officers
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 4, 2020 New Chamber Board Leadership Appointed for 2021 MARION, NORTH CAROLINA—The McDowell Chamber of Commerce welcomes new board officers, Dawna Ledbetter and Stacy Buff as incoming board chair and vice chair respectively. Ledbetter and Buff officially took office January, 1, 2021.Veteran board member and community activist Dawna Ledbetter will lead the organization as board chair for a three-year term. A native of Marion, she graduated from McDowell Technical Community College as
Goodwill Receives Largest Investment in its 94-Year History
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 18, 2020 Goodwill® Receives Largest Investment in Its 94-Year History to Help Americans Get Back to Work (Winston-Salem, NC) – Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, Inc. announced a $10 million donation from author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott – the largest donation received in the organization’s 94-year history. With 10.7 million Americans unemployed and in urgent need of work, this investment will enable Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina to
Chamber Launches Podcast to Promote Members
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2020 The McDowell County Chamber has launched its own podcast, adding another venue in which to promote its members and expand their reach. McDowell Matters Podcast launched in coordination with local business owner Onee Pressley of Pressley Made in December to highlight 10 magnanimous women entrepreneurs with Women to the Power of 10. In partnership with AuMedia, LLC the Chamber produced 5 episodes in a one-day session at Pressley Made. We wanted to create a way to share the
New Tools for Women Business Owners
Please join SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza on thursday, January 7 at 1 p.m. for the ground-breaking launch of Ascent, the online digital learning platform for women small business owners. Ascent is the first-of-its-kind online resource specifically designed to help the nearly 10 million American women entrepreneurs grow and scale their small business. This virtual event will include discussion panels with real women entrepreneurs, success stories leaders, and a take a look into how the Ascent platform
What's In The Covid Relief Bill For Businesses?
December 23, 2020 Information current as of Wednesday, December 23, 2020 - 9:00 a.m.Congress reaches deal on COVID-19 relief and FY21 funds Congress has additional COVID-19 relief and appropriated Fiscal Year 2021 spending levels. This $2.3 trillion package, including $900 billion in coronavirus relief funds and $1.4 trillion to fund the government for FY21, has been negotiated over the past several months, and addresses many key areas: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Reopening of the program upon
The Healing Power of Science and Nature
SUWS of the Carolinas Old Fort, North Carolina BY TINA M. WOLFE On any given day, deep in the pith of the Pisgah National Forest in Old Fort, new stories are unfolding. Stories of discovery and healing. Stories set not to the world’s crash-and-burn pace but rather nature’s gentle rhythm. Each year, SUWS of the Carolinas welcomes in a cadre of angst-ridden, emotionally overwhelmed, and sometimes angry youth. Adolescents are struggling to keep pace mentally and emotionally with the
Nine to Know
The fear of running out of money in retirement is listed as the greatest concern in retirement. It is easy to understand as the variables are many. Inflation, taxes, the solvency of Social Security, and the fluctuation of the stock market. Having a plan is critical to your success. Most people have a portfolio of investments, but what I want to help with is a plan that helps you understand how to best minimize the risks of each of the listed above. I have a new program that gives you a benchmark of where
Member Monday-Marion Pharmacy
Threaded through the fabric of America’s Main Streets are the hearts and dreams of families much like the Marion Pharmacy Family. Opened in April of 1962 by pharmacist Bill Howle, this mountain cornerstone of American tenacity and ingenuity has been caring for the health and well-being of generations of McDowell residents for 58 years. Bill, who passed in April of 2010, set the standard of care and service that continues today. He invested as much in the relationships with customers as he did in
Nonprofit Financial Resilience Webinar
The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits is gearing up for the 2020 virtual conference, Rebuilding for Resiliency, December 8-10. The organization is particularly excited about a pre-conference sessions that they are offering on Tuesday, Dec 8 “Nonprofit Financial Resilience: Understanding “Full Cost” and Dialogue on Post-COVID Recovery. This 3-hour session, led by the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), explores the concept of asking for and funding full costs for nonprofit organizations. The John Rex
SBA PPP Forgiveness Webinar
On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, join North Carolina District Director Thomas A. Stith III and members of the North Carolina District Office for Let’s Talk Business: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness. The webinar will focus on PPP forgiveness with topics to include: Downloading the PPP Loan applicationWhat documents to have readySole proprietor, partnerships, LLC’s, and C&S Corp optionsIdentify which PPP Loan forgiveness application is right for youHow to fill out the applicationSafe Harbors
A Family Legacy Continues
Mountain Stream RV ParkBy Tina M. WolfeDEEP ROOTS What is it about a place that gives us a sense of belonging? Is it because we were born there? Is it because we hold deep ancestral roots or even that its beauty and sense of simplicity speaks to our nature? For Jim Gibson and his family, it’s all of the above. Although born in Charlotte, Gibson can trace his McDowell roots back three generations. He along with his sons-in-law Tyler Mace and Austin Brooks purchased the Mountain Stream RV Park in December
Old Fort Chamber Merges with McDowell Chamber
In July of 2020, the Old Fort Chamber of Commerce officially merged with the McDowell Chamber of Commerce creating a united effort to support and promote the businesses all across the county. "Prior to the merger, the McDowell Chamber respected the jurisdiction of the Old Fort Chamber, while still serving our members there," said incoming Executive Director Kim Effler. "We are now better positioned to address the business needs of the whole county." Effler previously served as the volunteer director for
Mission Hospital McDowell's Maternity Ward Recognized Nationally
Mission Hospital McDowell was recently named to Newsweek’s 2020 list of Best Maternity Care Hospitals. The distinction recognizes facilities that have excelled in providing care to mothers, newborns and their families. “This is recognition is a testament to all of the outstanding caregivers and staff at Mission Hospital McDowell. I am truly grateful for our amazing Maternity Services team and the excellent care they provide for the communities we serve,” said Carol Wolfenbarger, CEO of Mission Hospital
Chamber Announces Leadership Change
Immediate Release Contact: Carol Wolfenbarger Phone: 828.652.4240 (Marion, NC) The McDowell Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has announced that Kimberly Effler will be succeeding Steve Bush as the organization’s next executive director, effective October 1, 2020. Steve Bush, who has served the McDowell County Chamber of Commerce since 2013 expressed a desire to transition from this leadership role in
Member Monday: Lake James Antique Mall
HOSPITALITY AMONG TREASURED FINDS AT ANTIQUE MALL By Tina M. Wolfe AUGUST 2020Amid rapid-fire change and anxiety-inducing unknowns, there is something oddly comforting meandering through the aisles of Dixie Matthew's 30K-square-foot Lake James Antique Mall, located just off I-40 at exit 90. Set up in individually designed booths, 38 passionate vendors artfully display their antiques and vintage collectables. Each booth invites guests on a wistful trek through yesteryear to the comforts and smells of
MEMBER MONDAY-THE SCIENCE OF NATURE
By Tina M. Wolfe The Science of Nature In an unassuming building on U.S. Hwy. 221 N there have occurred what some call miracles. People that have entered its doors have been transformed and have become true believers. This, however, isn’t a religious organization. No, in fact, the business, Earth Heart, is all about the Science of Nature! Co-owners Debra Richardson and Cindy Conner are trained and educated in the science of natural and herbal remedies, alternative health products, and nature’s
Member Monday: VOD Tactical
VOD TACTICAL—FRANK & RHONDA SEAMAN Tucked away in the time-worn mountains of the Blue Ridge range sits a plot of land that holds the hearts and history of Frank Seaman and his wife Rhonda. Named Manoah, the 134-acre farm stretches across the foothills of Old Fort and is home to their business, Virtue Of Defense Tactical or VOD Tactical, a not-so-typical firing range. The land has had many incarnations and has been in Rhonda’s family dating back to the original land grants from King George III. Its name
Upcoming Events
Programs & Services
McDowell Linc
ACT
Playful City USA