News
Twisted Rod Tire Opens in Old Fort
You might say Nathan Jones runs on RPMs and motor oil. At his recent Ribbon Cutting with the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, Jones proudly introduced his staff and family to the crowd gathered at Twisted Rod Tire Co.—his second family-owned automotive service and repair shop in Old Fort. An admitted motorhead, Jones loves working on and customizing cars. The tire shop, located at 109 E. Main Street in Old Fort, sells tires, does inspections, transmission work, brakes, and oil changes. For larger jobs, Jones
New Address, New Look for Burkes Outlet
The line of eager shoppers flowed into the parking lot at the recent grand Re-Opening of the Burkes Outlet store on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at 9 a.m. Even Bigfoot attended the festive event. Store Manager Charlotte Hawley was thrilled to welcome guests along with city and county officials at the Chamber Ribbon Cutting. "It's great to see so many people from the community here to support us and we are thrilled to continue serving McDowell County residents with even better brands and pricing in our new
Putting Their Best Foot Forward
The Chamber board and staff joined city and county officials to welcome Shoe Sensation to the community at an official Ribbon Cutting on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 10 a.m. The new shoe shop, located in the Food Lion Center next to Harbor Freight, carries popular brands such as Keds, Clarks, Columbia, Converse, Crocs, CAT, Echo Bat, Easy Street, and more. This is the fourth location in North Carolina for the Indiana-based company. Since 1984, Shoe Sensation has focused on bringing America's top footwear
90 Years of Supporting McDowell County Families
It's rare in today's world of commerce for anyone to hold a job for 50 years. It not only takes a committed employee, it takes a business that is committed to the community, its product, and its family of employees. In a proud moment on Saturday, September 28, 2019 Lester Welch, WestRock's longest serving employee, cut the ribbon to commemorate the company's 90th anniversary of business in McDowell County. WestRock Marion began operations in 1929 as Etta Paper Box Company and was founded by local
Local Wins Bigfoot Dream Ride
The Chamber is proud to announce that local resident and former NC Works employee Mary Ledbetter of Pleasant Gardens won the Bigfoot Dream Ride that was auctioned off at the 2nd annual Bigfoot Festival on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Hundreds of tickets were purchased with the hope of winning the specialized golf cart, customized by Clear Creek Golf and decked out with graphics by Pressley Made Graphics Design. The Golf Cart Raffle was presented by the Chamber of Commerce to fund scholarships for its
The Blood Connection Becomes County's Primary Blood Supplier
Asheville, NC (August 16, 2019) – As the blood supplier for local hospitals in McDowell and Caldwell counties, The Blood Connection is asking community members to become loyal blood donors to maintain an adequate, local blood supply. The Blood Connection (TBC) is the primary blood supplier for Mission Hospital McDowell and Caldwell UNC Healthcare. Those are two of the eleven TBC hospital partners in Western North Carolina. When anyone in those communities needs blood, it’s available because of TBC
Does Your Business Need A Buy-Sell Agreement
If you start a business with friends or family members as co-owners, you should prepare for the possibility that one partner may eventually leave the business. Retirement, divorce, bankruptcy, or death could cause a co-owner to give up their shares in the company. But who gets their shares in these situations?The worst-case scenario involves a stranger or third-party becoming a co-owner in your business. You can avoid this by having a business attorney draft a buy-sell agreement that binds all of the
Wealth Management For The Rest Of Us
Many people mistakenly believe that the term financial planner is reserved for the 1%, the people on the Forbes 500 list, or Wall Street barons of business. For Steven Gaito of Retirement Resource Management, it's for everyone from the factory worker to the small business owner. After several years as a 'money manager' and the impact of the market crash in 2008, Steven shifted his business focus to what he really enjoyed--Helping people identify, maximize, and protect the resources they do have by creating
Emerald Village Says Goodbye to Summer
Join us Labor Day weekend as Emerald Village says “Goodbye to Summer”, all too soon! Kids get Free Daytime Mine Tours both Saturday & Sunday! There will also be 2 free guided hikes each day, a local Craft Vendors Market, and a night-time black-light mine tour on both Friday AND Saturday nights! Mine tours, Gem Mining, Gold Panning, and Mineral Collecting will be available both days, and be sure to check out the free Discovery Mill exhibits. Get a fresh-grilled hamburger or hot dog from Reggie’s Grill,
Simply Brilliant
Life can get hectic—We can all relate. As we are pushed to accomplish more and be the best version of ourselves, we are also inundated with messages espousing that less is more and the importance of self-care. It's contradictory and frankly can be exhausting. Enter Brittany Martin and Allie Webb. These two energetic entrepreneurs combined their individual businesses creating a calming space that invites the weary worker or petered out parent to Live Simply. At their new shop, Simply, Sweet &
Business Leaders to Gov. Cooper: A Healthier Workforce Means a Stronger Economy
Local Chambers of Commerce Urge Lawmakers to Close Health Coverage Gap to Strengthen NC Workforce and Recruit New Jobs In a roundtable discussion with Governor Cooper and Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen, business leaders made the economic case for closing the health care coverage gap in North Carolina. They shared how high uninsured rates for people in their communities was hampering entrepreneurship, innovation and business productivity. “Companies looking to come here want to know
Mountain Gateway Museum Expands 4th of July Ice Cream Social
OLD FORT, NC – The Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center in Old Fort is expanding its usual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social this 4th of July to include family games with prizes, a cakewalk, and longer hours, in addition to the free ice cream, watermelon slices, and live bluegrass music usually offered. The MGM Farmers’ Market also will be open on July 4th with local farmers selling their goods from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. on the museum’s grounds at the intersection of Catawba Avenue and Water Street in Old
Understanding Healthcare Sharing Ministries
Understanding Healthcare Sharing MinistriesFor many Americans, healthcare has become the most significant expense in their budget. With the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (Obama Care), the cost of health insurance premiums has skyrocketed for millions of Americans that do not qualify for subsidies. But there is a reasonably priced alternative with the rapidly growing sector known as healthcare sharing ministries. Healthcare sharing ministries manage plans that are not insurance in the traditional
Closing the Coverage Gap to Boost Business Bottom Lines
There are 5,000 people McDowell County who can’t get health coverage. They’re in a “coverage gap”—they earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford health insurance, There are over 400,000 people like them across our state. This summer, the North Carolina General Assembly has a chance to close this gap and get NC residents covered. Our representatives know that this is a human issue, but they need to understand that it’s a business issue as well.As Executive Director of the McDowell
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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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