News
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
Orchard at Altapass opens May 3
ORCHARD AT ALTAPASS OPENS ON MAY 3 The Orchard at Altapass opens May 3 and invites you to take a journey back to simpler times and discover what makes the red barn on the Blue Ridge Parkway, mile marker 328.3, a destination. You start with the live traditional mountain music that is hard to beat. Kick up your heels and take to the dance floor. Can’t dance? No problem. Along with the music, free dance lessons are offered every weekend. Jump on a hayride and listen to tales of the Revolutionary War
MAY MUSIC LINEUP AT THE ORCHARD
On Friday, May 3, the Orchard at Altapass opens its barn doors for the first time this season and welcomes Randy Flack for the first performance of the season. Randy, a native of Western North Carolina, has been writing and performing since his early teens. He takes center stage at 1:45 p.m. with songs and stories that reflect his small-town Appalachian roots. The weekend continues with performances both Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m. Music begins on Saturday with the Dollar Brothers. Barry and Wade
Two Decades of Butterfly Garden at the Orchard at Altapass
This year, the Orchard at Altapass celebrates its 25th anniversary—the time literally flying by. A few years into the stewardship, co-founder Judy Carson and naturalist Elizabeth Hunter planted a butterfly garden in memory of Jan McKinney Conley, a friend who had recently died. Over the decades, this small plot of showy flowers has seen good and bad times but has always held forth to provide the butterfly and bee a plentiful stopping over point. Since the late '90s, the Orchard has focused on the
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
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
Tax Changes That Impact Your Business
IRS: Several tax law changes may affect the bottom line of many business owners With just a few months left in the year, the IRS is highlighting important information for small businesses and self-employed individuals to help them understand and meet their tax obligations. Here are several changes that could affect the bottom line of many small businesses: Qualified Business Income Deduction - Many owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, trusts and S corporations may deduct 20% of their qualified
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
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