Member Monday Feature By Tina M. Wolfe Passion and ingenuity don’t have expiration dates. Likewise, the energy and drive to create and contribute doesn’t always align with life’s calendar. This is certainly the case with Charlene Hollifield and education professional Tony Long. These two community-minded McDowell residents have been friends for years working within the McDowell County school system. Tony had taken a parttime job at a small pop-up shop their friend owned called Shucks Pearls for
The McDowell County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new board members and presents new diversity statement for the organization. At its first board meeting of 2022, the Mcdowell Chamber of Commerce recognized and celebrated the service and contributions of outgoing board chair Dawna Ledbetter to the organization. Dawna served a one-year term as board chair and had previously served as treasurer and vice chair. She has dedicated at total of 7 years of service to the organization. "I am very proud to have
Member Monday By Tina M. Wolfe In the land of plenty the imitable American Dream is often thrown around in motivational speeches and promotional advertisements like candy being tossed out at a Christmas parade. While the Dream is dangled like a carrot hinting at immediate gratification, there are thousands of decisive moments and millions of actions (sometimes over generations) that must happen to culminate in solid, scalable business success. RDM Industrial Electronics, Inc. is a study in achieving
Ushering In A New Era—McDowell Technical Community College By Tina M. Wolfe The last two years have ushered in a wellspring of change and innovation at every level. No where in McDowell has this been more evident than at McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC) where new buildings, new programs, new leadership, and new energy are burgeoning with possibilities. The pandemic provided individuals, organizations, and businesses an opportunity for introspective, strategic work—a chance to grow and learn.
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.
By Tina M. Wolfe To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow—Audrey Hepburn Growth requires patience and great intention; just ask Dana Owen, the owner, along with her parents Deenie and Brad Owen, of Painter’s Greenhouse in Old Fort. The size alone is enough to get any greenie excited. When I learned that the Owens work year round to start, sow, and grow more than 1,000 species and varieties of plants covering more than 100K square feet of space, my respect for their knowledge, perseverance, and
Arthur Parks, Transworld Systems, Inc. By Tina M. Wolfe What makes a successful man? Is it his magnetic demeanor pulling energy from the room as he enters? Is it his noble character, or quiet demeanor that makes others spill out their troubles to a trustworthy soul? While greatness can mean many things to many people, we all seem to recognize magnanimity. In a recent sit-down with Marion native and business leader Arthur Parks, I couldn’t help but notice a unique character combination that played out
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
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
The McDowell Chamber provides scholarships to nine Student LINC participants.Chamber board member Amy Johnson was honored to present local high school students and participants of our Student LINC program with a total of $3,500 in scholarships on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Recipients Alyson Blackwelder, Jarrett Cothron, Cameron Crater, and Jennifer Smelcer each won a $500 scholarship to the school of their choice. The $300 scholarship winners included Candela Anderson, Taylor Buchanan, Carlos Lopez, Reagan
This time one year ago, the founders of Big League Camp had a concept and a vision as to what they wanted to bring to McDowell County.“This is a vision that I’ve had for a while, going back close to five years, and it’s really exciting to see what has been accomplished here,” said manager and co-owner Donnie Suttles. “The group of owners and contributors, Dennis Whitson, Stacy Crisp and Jeff Bryant, has helped in getting this concept up and running. I think the folks of McDowell County are going to be