The Cape Fear chapter of the N.C. World Trade Association is kicking off 2013 with visits and presentations in Wilmington by distinguished international guests based in Washington, D.C. On Jan. 10, Ambassador Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy of Oman presented at an NCWTA-sponsored event in Wilmington to an audience interested in learning how to do business in Oman. N.C. Department of Commerce International Trade Division Director of Foreign Operations Derek Chen joined in the discussion to remind North Carolina business owners that …
Oxford’s Biofuels Center expands sector development capabilities in WNC
As a chief component of its 2012-2013 grants award process targeting biofuels development in the western part of the state, the Biofuels Center of North Carolina will award $766,256 to a consortium of partners led by AdvantageWest Economic Development Group to fortify the biofuels sector and trigger its expansion in the region. The project, “Planting the Seeds for a Robust WNC Biofuels Sector,” will be collaboratively executed by AdvantageWest and 13 other entities, including: N.C. State University Mountain Horticultural Crops …
Job fair in WNC attracts 86 employers with 1,200 to 1,500 openings
On Jan. 3, the 7th Annual Homecoming Job Fair was held in Asheville. The job fair attracted 86 employers from across the region, who identified about 1,200 – 1,500 openings available in the first quarter of 2013. The Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County and the N.C. Department of Commerce Division of Workforce Solutions estimated more than 2,000 job seekers attended the job fair.
Troxler announces availability of WNC agricultural development and farmland preservation grants as part of TVA settlement
RALEIGH – County governments and nonprofit conservation groups pursuing agricultural development and farmland preservation projects in 17 western N.C. counties can apply for funding assistance from the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation-Tennessee Valley Authority grant program. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated a portion of the state’s TVA Settlement Fund to support this grant program, and legislators restricted use of the money to projects benefitting one or more of the following counties: Avery, Buncombe, …
Wednesday Open Line
Many sumptuous foods get their day, or month, in the sun by way of some commemoration. But January celebrates a very basic, traditional dish. This is Oatmeal Month, recognizing the long-term favorite for its up-to-date health characteristics — low fat, no sodium, and the ability to help lower the risk of heart disease. Oatmeal also fits today’s time pressures, since a bowl can be made in seconds in the microwave. And, of course, oatmeal cookies are among the nation’s favorites. …
White House: The Next Four Years
From Vice President Joe Biden: Taking the oath of office is a serious piece of business. And being part of an inauguration has a way of focusing the mind on what’s to come. That’s what President Obama meant earlier today when he said, “My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.” In the months ahead, we’re going to be tested, and nothing about the challenges we …
Tuesday Open Line
An innovation in product packaging — and a staple of TV advertising — is having its 78th anniversary this week. The first canned beer was put on sale in 1935 as a marketing test in Richmond, Virginia, by the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company of Newark, New Jersey. Experiments with putting beer in cans had taken place as early as 1909 but the technology of the time couldn’t stop the beer from interacting negatively with the metal of the can. Prohibition …
Regional North Carolina Teachers of the Year Announced
Nine teachers have been selected to represent their regions and charter schools as the state’s regional Teachers of the Year and will now compete for the title of 2013-14 North Carolina Teacher of the Year. The winner will succeed the 2012-13 North Carolina Teacher of the Year Darcy Grimes, a third grade teacher at Bethel Elementary School (Watauga County Schools). North Carolina Regional Teachers of the Year are: REGION TEACHER OF THE YEAR SCHOOL LEA North Central Thomas McGeachy Weldon …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: An Assault on the Second Amendment
The Second Amendment has ensured our right to bear arms and self-protection for more than two centuries. This week, the Second Amendment came under attack when the president issued 23 executive orders which seek to infringe on the very rights the amendment protects. In this newsletter you will find the statement I released this week regarding the president’s assault on the Second Amendment, along with related news clips. Also in this newsletter, you will find information about a report released …
NC Cooperative Extension Updates from Paul McKenzie
The spring newsletter is here: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/spring2013.pdf REMINDERS Tobacco Associates Export Referendum, Jan 23, County Extension Center. Soybean/Weed Control Meeting, Jan 31, 6 pm, Epsom Fire Dept. (must register). Corn/Sorghum Production Meeting, Feb 21, 6 pm, Franklin County Extension Center (must register). Respirator Fit Testing, Feb 4, 8am to noon, Vance County Extension Center (must obtain appointment). CURING BARN CERTIFICATION TRAINING, FEB 15 As part of the GAPs requirements, growers will need to have their curing barns certified. We will provide …
White House Weekly Address: Now Is The Time to Take Action Against Gun Violence
President Obama reiterates his commitment to do everything in his power to implement a series of common sense measures that would reduce gun violence in America. The President started off that effort with 23 concrete actions his Administration is taking immediately under its existing legal authority. But to have a lasting impact, Congress must join the administration by passing common sense laws like requiring a universal background check for anyone trying to buy a gun, and restoring a ban on …
Monday Open Line
You may think the debate about smoking is fairly recent, but the more things change, the more they resemble 1908. On this date that year, the New York City council passed an ordinance that made it illegal for women to smoke in public. The ordinance was the result of a campaign by the National Anti-Cigarette League. At the time, a number of cities had banned smoking, along with the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Idaho, and Tennessee. All of these laws …
Public Meeting ‘Listening Post’ Regarding REEF Project Building
There will be a Listening Post meeting in Ward 3 of the City of Henderson on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at the Shiloh Baptist Church, 635 South College Street beginning at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting, in conjunction with the Downtown Development Commission and the AME Church, is to receive neighborhood input from citizens regarding the building formerly considered as part of the REEF project. It is possible a quorum of City Council Members may attend; however, this …
Henderson City Council Boards and Commissions Committe to meet for applcations to the EDC and Recreation and Parks Commissions
Henderson City Council Boards and Commissions Committee will hold a short meeting at the Aycock Recreation Center, 307 Carey Chapel Road, Henderson, on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at approximately 12 Noon. The purpose of this meeting is to consider applications for the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission and the Recreation and Parks Commission. The public is welcome to attend.
Henderson City Council Seeking Public Comments for Annual Retreat
The Henderson City Council will hold it’s annual retreat next week, and are seeking public comments to be read during the retreat. Like we are doing for the Vance County Board of Commissioners retreat, we will compile our reader comments below and get to the council for possible inclusion. What would you like to see the council address this year? How did they do on last year’s objectives?
VGCC schedules “Afternoon Tea” class in March
Vance-Granville Community College will offer a course on “Afternoon Tea,” the tradition that is enjoying a renaissance as fine hotels, inns and tea rooms across the country give guests an opportunity to retreat from the hurried pace of their lives. The course, called “Let’s Have an Afternoon Tea,” is offered by the college in collaboration with The Old North State Tea Society. Classes will meet on VGCC’s Main Campus in Vance County, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 until 4 …
Small Business Administration: Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center
Tax reporting season is starting for small businesses. The Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center serves taxpayers who file Form 1040, Schedules C, E, F or Form 2106, as well as small businesses with assets under $10 million. The IRS website provides the following information for small businesses: *Small Business Forms and Publications *Small Business Forms and Publications *Employer ID Numbers (EINs) *Starting, Operating, or Closing a Business *Employment Taxes *Affordable Care Act Tax Provisions *Independent Contractor (Self-Employed) or Employee? …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
The X-ray machine, the first medical imaging device, was invented in Europe in the late 19th century. Americans got their first glimpse of this medical marvel on this date in 1896 in an exhibit in New York City. It quickly came into use in U.S. medicine, and then into overuse. Thomas Edison’s assistant Clarence Dally, after long, unshielded experimentation with X-rays, had both arms amputated, and then died in 1904 from exposure to radiation. X-rays have been largely surpassed by …
Vance County School Closings for Friday, January 18th
We’ll update this list as we receive more information, but since we may not have the latest info please check with your local school system for confirmation. You may also go to http://www.wral.com/weather/closings/?viewall=1 for their listing. Vance County Schools – Closed Crossroads Christian School – Closed Henderson Collegiate – Closed, Teacher Workday Kerr Vance Academy – Closed Vance Granville Community College – Closed Franklin County Schools – 2 Hour Delay Granville County Schools – Closed Warren County Schools- 2 Hour …
Henderson – Vance Crime Stoppers Needs Help With Unsolved Crimes, Rewards Offered
Armed Robbery Case:On Monday, December 24, 2012 at 1:22 A.M., members of the Henderson Police Department responded to the Waffle House, 942 W. Andrews Avenue in response to a report of an armed robbery. Officers found that three suspects armed with firearms entered the store and demanded currency from the cash drawer. Restaurant employees turned over an undetermined amount of U. S. currency to the armed individuals. The suspects were described as three black males all wearing dark clothing. No …