News
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
Mission Health restricts visitation to level 3 at all locations
ASHEVILLE – December 29, 2020 To protect our patients and staff, at 8 p.m. tonight, Mission Health will be elevating our visitor restrictions to Level 3 at all locations, including Angel Medical Center, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, CareParters, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Mission Hospital McDowell and Transylvania Regional Hospital. Level 3 visitation was implemented at Mission Hospital in Asheville on Dec. 18. The exception will be for our pediatric patients, who will be allowed to have one adult
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
Top Business Trends for 2021
Leverage these four emerging business trends to give your business an edge in the new year. For small businesses across America, 2020 has been one of the most challenging years in history. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, small business owners have been resilient, pivoting, and adapting their business models to navigate continually changing conditions. With the new year on the horizon, there are potential new opportunities to take advantage of and ways to adapt to challenges you may face. Here are a
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
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 & Treasury Announce Simpler PPP Forgiveness
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, today released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars. “The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses, providing
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
New Dance & Movement Studio Opens
On Saturday, September 12, 2020, one of Marion’s newest businesses drew an intimate crowd of supporters to celebrate a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the McDowell Chamber of Commerce. The Above the Barre Dance and Gymnastic Academy, located in the new Larry D. Miller Business Complex, is a much-desired addition to the community. “Amazing dancers and gymnasts are being created, but … more importantly, amazing humans are being created here at Above the Barre,” said owner Erin Nanney, who expressed
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
Updates On Payroll Tax Exempt Rules
In response to Congress’ delay in providing additional relief in the wake of COVID-19’s economic impacts, on August 8, 2020, President Trump issued an executive order to the Department of Treasury to allow deferral of employee Social Security (SS) taxes. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized under Section 7508A of the Internal Revenue Code to defer certain payroll tax obligations. No matter the size of a business, each employee’s compensation is subject to various withholdings, including SS, which is
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
McDowell May Sales Up 2.3%
Marion Economic Development NewsMcDowell County COVID Business Recovery Survey According to the NC Department of Revenue (NCDOR), retail sales figures in McDowell County for June, which represent May sales, totaled $38.5 million. This is a 2.3% increase over the same period last year. This is in contrast to retail sales across North Carolina, which decreased by 4.4% in June. These figures are showing that McDowell County has weathered the COVID-19 storm better than other communities in our state. We
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
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