Registration is open for the fifth annual Food Business Conference, which will be held April 5 in Greensboro. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will host the conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Greensboro-High Point Airport Marriott. It is geared for people interested in expanding their food business in North Carolina. “Value-added products, high-quality processed foods and other food-related businesses are vital to the success and growth of North Carolina’s $76-billion agriculture industry,” said Agriculture …
Category: Business
VGCC to offer Craft Artists Entrepreneurship program in Oxford
Vance-Granville Community College is offering a course designed specifically to help creative local residents with skills in arts and crafts to succeed as entrepreneurs. The “NC REAL Professional Craft Artists Entrepreneurship” program will be conducted at the Granville County Expo & Convention Center in Oxford on Tuesdays from 6 until 9 p.m., Feb. 9 through March 29. “If you are considering starting your own business selling your handmade items, then the NC REAL Professional Craft Artists Entrepreneurship program is just …
North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority Approves More Than $3 Million in Funding
On December 17, the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 15 grant requests totaling $3,039,244. The requests include commitments to create a total of 219 new jobs. Building Reuse Program grants/loans approved: Town of Nags Head (Dare County): A $500,000 grant to support the reuse of a building by Peak Resources – Outer Banks, a family-owned nursing home operator that plans to create 50 new jobs. The grant is part of a total capital investment of $1,624,829. Town of …
NC Farm School: An educational value for new and transitioning farmers
NC Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce the launch of the Eastern Piedmont NC Farm School for new and transitioning farmers in Franklin, Nash, Wake, and Warren Counties as well as surrounding areas! The program was developed to provide a resource to the numerous people visiting the local Cooperative Extension offices seeking help to grow crops, raise livestock, sell to local markets, handle employees, learn regulations, follow restrictions and generate revenues. The NC Farm School is not like any other …
N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative announces grant recipients
The N.C. Bioenergy Research Initiative recently awarded $1 million in grants for 12 research projects to boost bioenergy opportunities and production in the state. “Exciting and promising work is happening in North Carolina in terms of bioenergy research, study and development, and I am pleased this grant funding is helping advance bioenergy opportunities and potential for farmers, agribusinesses, forestry industries and entrepreneurs,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. Below is a list of grant recipients and projects: $61,123 to N.C. State …
Top Five Job Creation Announcements for 2015
Local and state leaders work side by side to recruit companies to North Carolina and assist those already here to grow and expand. In today’s competitive environment, NC Commerce has several economic development programs, including our Job Development Investment Grant reimbursement program. 2015 represented a vigorous year once we hit July 1st when the NC Competes legislation cleared the way for more projects and offered businesses more certainty through 2020. Here is a snapshot of the top five job announcements …
Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Propel GPS, LLC
Propel GPS, LLC held a ribbon cutting on December 8th to celebrate the expansion of their offices at 946X Crossroads Shopping Center on Highway 39. A Chamber member for over 2 years, the company opened in Henderson over 3 years ago. Company owner and CEO Rick Burtner welcomed attendees to the event which was part of a Christmas Open House featuring catered refreshments and introductions of team members from various parts of the US. The company offers a one-stop …
VGCC to offer Agricultural Entrepreneurship program in Vance & Granville counties
With partners at the local and state levels, the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center will soon offer the “NC REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship” program in Henderson and in Oxford. The seven-week course is designed specifically to help local farmers and budding entrepreneurs succeed in developing profitable, environmentally-sound small farms or agricultural businesses. The class will be offered at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market (210 Southpark Drive, Henderson) on Saturdays, Jan. 23 through March 5, from 8 until 11 a.m. …
Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Shelia’s Accufile Tax & Business Services
A ribbon cutting was held on Tuesday, December 1st at 10 AM for Shelia’s Accufile Tax & Business Services to celebrate the company’s membership with the Chamber and to showcase the business and all that it has to offer. Shelia’s Accufile Tax and Business Services operates with full confidentiality and integrity and puts her client’s needs at the top of her priorities as she provides them with accounting and taxation and other business services. Sheila has earned the trust, …
Chamber Ribbon Cutting – The Corbitt Preservation Association
A ribbon cutting was held on Monday, December 7 at 10 AM for the Corbitt Preservation Association to celebrate their membership with the Chamber and the Bennett H. Perry Jr. Museum in downtown Henderson. Friends, family and local dignitaries joined together to celebrate the rich history of The Corbitt Company as well as the City of Henderson. The event gave Chamber members and other attendees a chance to meet and mingle with those that were involved in the museum. …
Butterfield to Host Town Hall to Discuss Jobs and Resources for the Unemployed
WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will host a telephone town hall for residents of the First Congressional District to discuss jobs, help for the unemployed and underemployed, and re-entry programs for ex-offenders. Butterfield will also answer questions posed directly by his constituents. “Many of my constituents have not yet felt the positive impacts of our improving national economy,” said Butterfield. “Elevated levels of unemployment and underemployment have made it difficult for individuals and families living …
New Film and Entertainment Grant guidelines finalized by N.C. Commerce
The new Film and Entertainment Grant program guidelines have been finalized by the N.C. Dept. of Commerce. To qualify, a television series must average a minimum in-state spend of $1 million per episode, while a feature-length film must spend at least $5 million, and a commercial production must have a minimum spend of at least $250,000; there are also limitations on the amount of the grant awarded for each type of production. Funds from the grant, which is now funded …
Lower Taxes for Business on Tap as Governor McCrory Announces $1 Billion Reserve in Unemployment Trust Fund
After paying off a $2.8 billion debt to the federal government in May 2015, Governor Pat McCrory and Commerce’s Division of Employment Security announced November 12 that the unemployment trust fund reserve has reached $1 billion. This is the first time the trust fund has exceeded $1 billion since May 2001. By reaching this mark, the 20 percent state unemployment insurance tax surcharge will be discontinued, an extra burden that N.C. employers have been paying for ten years. These savings, …
Vance County Board of Commissioners Special Called Meeting November 23rd, 2015
Chairman Archie B. Taylor, Jr. has called a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners for Monday, November 23, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. in the commissioners’ conference room. The purpose of the meeting is to enter into closed session to discuss legal matters related to Semprius.
Governor McCrory Sets Bold Workforce Training Goal at NCWorks Leadership Summit
Governor Pat McCrory attended the NCWorks Education and Workforce Leadership Summit in Greensboro October 28th and challenged education, business and workforce development partners to meet a new educational attainment goal. Governor McCrory invited the NCWorks Commission, NC Business Committee for Education, Economic Development Partnership of NC, NC Independent Colleges, State Board of Community Colleges, State Board of Education, and UNC Board of Governors to the discussion. “Over the last three years we’ve made a lot of progress in education and …
North Carolina Stands Tall in Two National Rankings
North Carolina ranks high in two newly released measures of business and economic performance. Site Selection magazine named North Carolina one of the best business climates in the United States in its 2015 Business Climate list, a closely-watched ranking of economic development success. The state placed second in the magazine’s review. Last year, North Carolina finished third. In the overall national ranking, North Carolina trailed only Georgia. Kentucky, Louisiana and Texas round out the top five places. Site Selection’s annual …
Chamber Ribbon Cutting – Smokeless Emporium
A ribbon cutting was held on Thursday, October 29th at 10 AM for Smokeless Emporium to celebrate the company’s membership with the Chamber and to showcase the business and all that it has to offer. Smokeless Emporium is an eCig and Vape store, offering a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. They are here to change the way you smoke and when it comes to electronic cigarettes, they are bringing it to you. Don’t be bored with the same old products …
North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority Approves Nearly $4 Million in Funding
The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 14 grants or loans on October 22, totaling $3,828,262. The requests include commitments to create a total of 272 new jobs. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)/loan approved: Town of Denton (Davidson County): A $400,000 loan to support the reuse of a vacant building that will house Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel. The company, a manufacturer of specialty tires, will create 20 jobs. The building has been vacant for the past year. The …
Fidelity Investments Expansion to Create 600 Jobs in Durham County
Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today (Oct. 27) that Fidelity Investments® will add 600 jobs during three years and invest a minimum of $8 million across its Triangle facilities, including its Durham County campus. “Fidelity investments is an innovative company that has chosen to expand in the place and state where innovation thrives,” Governor McCrory said. “Fidelity has demonstrated to the business world that …
N.C. Main Street Center Conducts Training
27 new Main Street directors, Small Town Main Street coordinators and downtown development volunteers from throughout the state attended a training conference conducted by the North Carolina Main Street Center, held September 29 through October 2, 2015 The Main Street Basic Training sessions were held in Wake Forest. Since the inception of the program in 1980, North Carolina Main Street communities have exceeded more than $2.25 billion in downtown public and private investment, created more than 18,000 full-time and part-time …