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Creative Ways To Boost Your Email List
Email marketing is a key marketing strategy for brands and small businesses that want to communicate directly with their customers. If you want to grow your email list, here are some creative ideas and proven strategies that help attract new subscribers. Add simple signup forms on your website Encourage website visitors to become newsletter subscribers by giving them multiple opportunities to join your mailing list. Install an attention-grabbing lightbox message on your website homepage, that pops up on
Comic Book Store Celebrates Ribbon Cutting
On Tuesday, October 5, Sherry and Tim Deel welcomed the Chamber in for a ribbon cutting at All Things Geeky by 2 Nerds, a place they have lovingly dubbed “not your average comic book store.” This store has earned itself a cult following that stretches across the United States, all because Sherry and Tim took their love of Comic Con and brought it to Marion. All Things Geeky by 2 Nerds has been open for a little more than a year. Sherry and Tim are not from Marion originally, but they feel very at home
Will Biden's $600 IRS Tracking Affect Small Business?
Should the IRS be allowed to track transactions – business and personal – of more than $600? That proposal was part of the current $3.5 billion bill put forth by the Biden administration, but it was removed. That doesn’t mean it is gone for good. Biden Wants IRS to Track Transactions Over $600 Under the existing Currency Transaction Report, banks, credit unions and other financial institutions are required to report transactions of more than $10,000 to the IRS. The Biden administration wanted to lower
Carolinas Blue Ridge HealthCare Now UNC Health
Blue Ridge HealthCare Finalizes Agreement with UNC Health Partnership strengthens rural healthcare, expands access to specialty services for the Mountain Region MORGANTON, N.C. / CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (October 7, 2021) – The leadership from Blue Ridge HealthCare and UNC Health today announced that the organizations have finalized a comprehensive Management Services Agreement. This partnership with UNC Health allows Blue Ridge to strengthen rural healthcare throughout the Mountain Region while moving toward
Eligibility for ERC is more likely in 2021
JPS reported on updated 2021 ERC eligibility and threshold changes earlier this year and would like to remind employers of these changes. Even if you didn’t qualify for the 2020 credits, you may be eligible for the modified 2021 credits, which are currently set to expire on December 31, 2021. In March 2021, the IRS issued guidance pertaining to the Employee Retention Credit (ERC), a business relief provision created by the CARES Act in March 2020 and subsequently altered in the Consolidated
Can Your Business Benefit From A Public-Private Partnership?
Topic: Small Business Resources for Preparedness, Relief, Recovery, and ResiliencyDescription: The Small Business Administration (SBA) & Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) are providing educational opportunities for you to learn more about programs that will help your business get back on track. These sessions will take place every two weeks, starting next week and running through December 2021. This is part of an effort to ensure that American small businesses know about the many resources to
Distinguished Johnson Price Sprinkle Shareholder Set to Retire
J. Scott Hughes CPA has served as Johnson Price Sprinkle PA’s Vice President of Assurance Services from 2004 – 2017 and as a JPS Shareholder from 2004 – 2021. Throughout his extensive public accounting career, Scott provided both taxation and assurance services creating a diverse portfolio from non-profits and governmental entities to retailers, manufacturers, and individuals. Scott has been deeply dedicated to his community and profession; volunteering with many nonprofits and serving on multiple
IRS Provides Tax Relief for NC Victims of Tropical Storm Fred
On Friday, September 10, 2021, the IRS announced it will provide tax relief for North Carolina victims of Tropical Storm Fred. The relief allows for the postponement of certain tax-filing and tax-payment deadlines for taxpayers in certain counties. Remnants of Tropical Storm Fred devastated parts of WNC on August 17, 2021, prompting a federal disaster declaration, and in turn, Friday’s IRS announcement. According to the IRS announcement, affected taxpayers are individuals who live in and own businesses in
Red Cross Announces Blood Drive Dates
News Release Contact: Gail Barksdale/Account Manager/American Red Cross/(828) 676-7811 Support cancer patients by donating blood Marion, NC, September 2021 — Cancer patients may need blood products during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications. More than 1.7 million new cases of cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Donated blood is a lifesaving gift most healthy people can give. The community is
Mission Hospital McDowell to Expand
New tower to add 11 additional beds and space to meet future community needs Marion, N.C. (August 13, 2021) – Mission Health is proud to announce the expansion of Mission Hospital McDowell. With $20 Million in funding from HCA Healthcare, the expansion of our current state-of-the-art facility in McDowell will ensure the continued support of the healthcare needs of our community. “Mission Hospital McDowell was designed to serve this community’s unique and growing healthcare needs and this expansion will
The Fruit of Her Hands Boutique Celebrates Grand Opening
On Thursday, July 29th, 2021, Kristy Smith welcomed friends, family, fellow business owners, and local officials into The Fruit of Her Hands Boutique, Marion’s newest women’s boutique in the Larry D. Miller Business Complex. Before opening her storefront, life looked very different for Kristy: when she left her job at Marion DDS, she began doing retail sales from home. When that took off, she purchased a trailer to sell clothes out of and after four years, an opportunity came up for her to open a
Chamber Partners with Local Business to Support Operation Backpack
For the third year, Robertson Packaging Supply, Inc., stepped up to support Operation Backpack, a McDowell County Schools project. Owners Brandon and Sarah Whitson were excited to once again partner with the Chamber and impact the local school-aged children and classrooms. The team at RPSI worked diligently with Melanie Duncan, project coordinator, to identify and locate hard-to-find items. On Tuesday, August 3rd, RPSI delivered $1,211 in supplies to McDowell County Schools, including 144 toothbrushes
PPP Loan Forgiveness
Did you receive a Paycheck Protection Program loan? You may be eligible for loan forgiveness. Follow the four steps below.Contact your lender and complete the correct formCompile documentationSubmit the forgiveness form and documentation to your lenderCommunicate with your lender throughout the process Learn more
Chamber Launches UTV Raffle To Fund Local Scholarships
UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 14, 2021—THE DRAWING FOR THE UTV HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 15, 2022 IN LIGHT OF THE CANCELATION OF THE BIGFOOT FESTIVAL. TICKET HOLDERS HAVE THE SAME CHANCE TO WIN AS NO NEW TICKETS WILL BE PRINTED! SO HOLD ON TO THOSE TICKETS AND KEEP THEM IN A SAFE PLACE. The McDowell Chamber of Commerce is eager to offer a top-of-the-line UTV in its 2021 Bigfoot Raffle fundraiser. Ticket sales go to fund scholarships for the Chamber's Student LINC (Leadership, Involvement, Networking, and
Old Fort Steers Its Resurgence Forward
Change is inevitable. In the last few years we've all seen plenty of change sweep through our communities. Getting ahead of that change and helping to steer it in a healthy and sustainable direction is what the people of Old Fort are doing. The town has been attractive to Asheville's overflow for some time now. Seeing the possibility for growth, jobs, and all the benefits that come along with that, a unique coalition has been working hand-in-hand to guide and influence this small towns resurgence.
McDowell Chamber Presents $4,000 In Scholarships Awards
McDowell Chamber Executive Director Kim Effler was proud to present $4,000 in scholarships to two deserving McDowell County students as part of the organization's Student LINC leadership program on June 6, 2021. Recipients included Raul Lopez Torres who will be attending North Carolina State University's College of Design in the fall and Thomas Moomaw who will be pursuing a degree in Cyber Security at UNC Chapel Hill. Torres was awarded $3,000 toward his educational dream of attaining a degree in
6,000 H2B Visas Available for Honduras, El Salvado, and Guatemala
6,000 H-2B Visas Available for Honduras, El Salvador and GuatemalaOn May 25, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a temporary final rule making available an additional 22,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural guest worker visas for fiscal year 2021 to employers who are likely to suffer irreparable harm without these additional workers.While 16,000 of the additional visas are limited to returning workers, 6,000 visas have been reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries (Honduras, El
Small Business Tax Credit Programs
The American Rescue Plan extends a number of critical tax benefits, particularly the Employee Retention Credit and Paid Leave Credit, to small businesses. The Employee Retention Credit The America Rescue Plan extends the availability of the Employee Retention Credit for small Businesses through December 2021 and allows businesses to offset their current payroll tax liabilities by up to $7,000 per employee per quarter. This credit of up to $28,000 per employee for 2021 is available to small businesses who
Chamber Meets Representative Dudley Greene on Staffing Issues
May 28, 2021, McDowell, NC—The McDowell Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Kim Effler and staff met with North Carolina Representative Dudley Greene to discuss the issue of staffing on behalf of its members on Friday, May 28, 2021. "After hearing from many of our members who expressed concern regarding staffing issues in their businesses, we conducted a survey to get some hard data from which to work," said Effler. Ten out of the 24 respondents said they were experiencing above average problems not
Fire and Ice Shines Brightly
By Tina M. Wolfe It was the summer of 1976 in a typical American town of Pennsylvania. Young Frank Nederostek, the only child of hard-working, first-generation Americans, had a decision to make. Like every other graduating senior in history, he needed to figure out what he was going to do after school. His father, taking his parental duties to heart, took young Frank with him to the cement mill where he had spent his entire career. “I’ll never forget those days,” recalls Frank, owner of Fire and Ice
SBA Receives 186,200 RRF Applications
The SBA began accepting applications for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) on Monday, May 3. In the first two days of the RRF application window, the SBA has received: 186,200 applications from restaurants, bars, and other eligible businesses in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. Territories. 97,600 applications of which came from restaurants, bars, and other eligible businesses owned and controlled by women (46,400), veterans (4,200), socially and economically disadvantaged individuals
Outdoor Businesses Return With A Vengeance in First Quarter; Is Your Business Ready for Growth?
"A year after the pandemic decimated their top and bottom lines, publicly traded outdoor companies are posting blowout quarters to begin 2021," a recent report from the Outdoor Industry Association reports. This is great news for McDowell County as we move forward with investing and enhancing our own outdoor economy including the Fonta Flora State Trail and Old Fort G5 Trail Collective. According to the reports, most companies saw revenue gains in the double digits and are experiencing favorable comps for
Restaurant Relief Fund Opens Application Process
Release Date: April 27, 2021 Contact: Press_Office@sba.gov www.sba.govRelease Number: 21-33 Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs& Instagram SBA Administrator Guzman Announces Application Opening for $28.6 Billion Restaurant Revitalization FundFund prioritizes direct relief to women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and includes $9.5 billion in set-asides for smaller businesses WASHINGTON - SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman today
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Upon President Biden signing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Senior Advisor Michael Roth stated: “The American Rescue Plan Act enables the SBA to continue to lift up the cornerstones of our communities; the mom-and-pop businesses and nonprofits that provide essential services for our everyday lives, hire from within neighborhoods, and more. Our nation’s more than 30 million small businesses are the economic engine of
U.S. Congressman Madison Cawthorn Joins Local Broadband Discussion
Monday, March 29, 2019, McDowell County, NC—Rep. Madison Cawthorn (NC-11) joined a panel of McDowell County officials and Rep. Dudley Greene (NC-85) on McDowell Matters Podcast Monday, March 29, 2021 to address rural broadband and learn what McDowell County is doing to advance access for all.Rep. Cawthorn (NC-11), who prioritized broadband access for North Carolina during his campaign, heard from Connect McDowell board member Keith Buchanan, McDowell County Commissioner Brenda Vaughn, and Rep. Dudley
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper Eases Capacity and Operating Restrictions Across the State
Governor Cooper announced that North Carolina will relax some COVID-19 restrictions. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper signed Executive Order No. 204 that will take effect March 26 at 5 pm and is set to expire April 30 at 5 pm. The Executive Order (No. 204) will increase the number of people who may gather indoors from 25 to 50 people and the number of people gathered outdoors from 50 to 100. The Order also fully lifts the restriction on the late-night sale and service of alcoholic beverages on bars,
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McDowell Strong Awards
As the word normal morphed into new meanings for all of us across the nation in 2020, McDowell businesses and residents rose to the challenge. When Zoom no longer meant a fast car, residents, businesses, schools, and organizations shifted gears adapting to rapid-fire changes in order to keep McDowell County strong, healthy, and resilient. The McDowell Chamber of Commerce dedicated its traditional Annual Banquet to honor those in our community that exhibited strength, fortitude, acuity, compassion, and
T-Shirt Tuesday Member Promotion A Smash Hit
As way to help promote our members, Member Engagement specialist Emma Mathews created T-Shirt Tuesday. This simple, but incredibly effective promotion is getting businesses noticed and talking. Posts like the one here reached more than 1.7K viewers, was shared more than 10 times and more thank 242 people liked, loved, or commented. The concept is simple, we wear your company's branded T-shirt on Tuesdays and as we go about our day, we visit other businesses, grocery stores, tire stores, restaurants, etc.
McDowell Matters Podcast to Feature Cawthorn, Greene on Rural Broadband Issues
Much has been written on the great Digital Divide, but what exactly is it? In my upcoming podcast on McDowell Matters, we'll dive into what it means, how it hurts rural communities, and what's being done to bridge the access gap. Joining me for the conversation will be Rep. Dudley Greene-R, Rep. Madison Cawthorn-R, McDowell County commissioners Patrick Ellis and Brenda Vaughn, and Connect McDowell board member Keith Buchanan. The broadband episode will air on April 1, 2021, a day Buchanan is looking to get
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
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
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
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
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
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
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