Tag Archive for: #hendersonvancechamberofcommerce

Burgess Stepping Down From Chamber In December

What candidate would be able to satisfy – exceed, even – the qualifications for a job description that could read something like this:

Enthusiastic, motivated individual needed for full-time position. Work includes night meetings, weekend catchup and early morning events. Constant desire to make improvements in the community. People-person skills a must.

That wouldn’t be the easiest job to fill, but that’s just what Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce leaders are faced with, following the announcement that President Michele Burgess is retiring at year’s end.

Burgess possesses all those qualifications, and then some. And though she said she will miss the people she’s had the pleasure to work alongside since July 2019, she said she looks forward to having more family time – especially with two young grandchildren.

She spoke with WIZS News Friday about her previous Chamber experience – all with the local office. You see, this is her third time back. She previously held the job in the mid-1980’s and then again in the mid-1990’s.

“When it’s your hometown, you’re so passionate about it,” Burgess said. She returned in 2019 with the idea that it would be a short-term role. She said the Chamber underwent a bit of a restructure “to try to make it work a little bit better. And we were on this big roll,” she continued. Until COVID-19.

Members sought advice from Chamber officials about how to follow pandemic protocols, she said. “I feel like we did a really good job” of answering questions and keeping businesses and employees safe.

The pandemic has changed the way many organizations operate, and the Chamber is no exception. Burgess said today’s businesses may need different things from their Chamber membership, such as virtual meetings and networking events that target particular professions.

“It’s just a different world,” Burgess said.

When she leaves the office at the end of December, she said she leaves on a good note – the Chamber is functioning at a high level, and Burgess said she feels comfortable stepping down at this time.

Current Chamber Board Chair Ronald Bennett was on the board when Burgess was selected to lead the chamber most recently.

“She’s one that has her job at heart and the people at heart,” Bennett said by phone Thursday. “I can’t say enough good about what all she’s done,” he added.

A search committee is already formed to look for her successor, Bennett noted, adding that the board would be looking for additional volunteers to serve on this committee as well.

Burgess praised the Chamber board for all the support it has given her over the last few years and said she would miss those relationships. “When you have real strong leaders, you’re real thankful,” she said.

Burgess said she will continue to participate in different ways to help her community after she retires.

“I’m still going to be in the Chamber, still going to volunteer and participate,” Burgess  said.

Just maybe between visits to see the grandchildren.

 

 

Chamber, Rotary Join Forces To Host Nov. 10 “State Of The County” Address

Join other members of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and the Henderson Rotary Club for the “State of the County” address and luncheon in November.

The event is the second in a series of informational meetings for community members; the first gathering spotlighted the “state of the city” address.

Speakers for the Nov. 10 program include County Manager Jordan McMillen and County Commissioners’ Chairman Leo Kelly.

The event will be held at Henderson Country Club from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. The cost per person is $30; reserve a table for eight for $240, according to information from Sandra Wilkerson, director of programs for the Chamber.

The deadline to RSVP is Nov. 4 and Wilkerson said seating is limited, so don’t delay!

Call the office at 252.438.8414, email Wilkerson at sandra@hendersonvance.org at or register online at www.hendersonvance.org

TownTalk: Blackmon And Ellington Attend Chamber Business Meeting

It’s a well-used analogy, but one appropriate for the situation that Henderson and the surrounding community finds itself in, according to City Manager Terrell Blackmon: The seeds for growth and improvement have been planted, and now the area is beginning to see those seeds sprout. But some onlookers may not be convinced until the flowers bloom.

Blackmon was a guest on Monday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose and he said he was among a group of local city and business leaders to come together to late last week to discuss ways to cultivate and nurture those tender sprouts as they continue to grow.

“They’ve been in progress,” he said. “It just doesn’t happen immediately…you have to plant seeds and allow them to grow.”

Blackmon used the analogy to describe the various projects that the city is a part of, as well as the 4-point strategic plan endorsed by the City Council at its 2022 planning retreat.

The meeting was one way for business leaders to hear about progress being made to make Henderson and the surrounding area more inviting – from its physical appearance to attract new residents, to the regional water expansion necessary to provide the infrastructure needed to attract new industry.

They gathered at Clearview Church in Henderson and speakers included Mayor Eddie Ellington, Ronald Bennett, president of the local Chamber of Commerce, Greg Etheridge, president of the local Rotary Club, Tony Mills with Henderson Police Department and Brian Boyd, who acted as facilitator for the meeting, which lasted about an hour.

“I was sitting in a room with a group of people that have a vested interest in this community,” Blackmon said of the gathering, a follow-up action from the recent letter presented to the City Council from concerned business about the negative image of the city.

That letter, Blackmon said, underscored some concerns that the city already was in process of addressing, but it also served to heighten expectations and showed that the business community was interested in improvements that were being done around the city.

Blackmon provided an update on progress being made in the council’s four priorities of its strategic plan – improving the image of the city, recruitment and retention of employees, safe, affordable housing and revitalization and redevelopment.

“They see that the city is growing and they want to make sure we’re doing it in a way that improves the overall appearance of the community,” Blackmon said of those who attended the meeting.

Projects like the regional water expansion and housing codes are just a couple of current projects. “Those things don’t sound real sexy, but the provide the infrastructure for the growth that we’re about to see happen in the community,” Blackmon said.

In his remarks to the group, Mayor Ellington said he is most interested in his hometown being the best it can be.

“I’m happy to see this traction and momentum,” Ellington said in a follow-up interview with WIZS News on Monday. “The only way to get better is to address them,” he said of concerns from the community, “admit it, and hit them head-on.”

Ellington said one concern he has is code enforcement in housing. The city council’s recent adoption of revised minimum housing code will surely help in a couple of areas of the city’s strategic plan priorities.

Ellington said staff shortages across city departments – from police officers to street maintenance crews – makes a tough situation even more difficult.

Code enforcement is not an easy job, but Ellington said it’s a key component in making progress. “That’s what’s so desperately needed,” he said, adding that he advocates beefing up the code enforcement staff to be able to adequately address violations across the city.

Blackmon said he is pleased to see that business leaders seem to be more interested in what’s happening in the city and are attending council meetings. “I’m very appreciative of seeing involvement” at council meetings.

“It shows me that they care about this community,” Blackmon added.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Vote Daily To Keep Two Local Products In Running For “Coolest Thing Made In NC” Contest

Two Vance County businesses are in the running for a statewide honor, and voting is now underway to choose the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” by the N.C. Chamber of Commerce.

Now it’s up to the community to vote via email to make sure the local businesses get to the next round.

Henderson-Vance Chamber President Michele Burgess told WIZS Thursday that not one, but two local products have been nominated and she said it’s a “really BIG deal.”

For the past few years, the NC Chamber has held a statewide contest, she said.

“Two of our Henderson companies were named!  Way to go, Country Snacks Mfg. for your pork skins product and MARS Petcare for your Nutro Dog Food!” Burgess said in an email statement to WIZS.

Burgess said she nominated the County Snacks pork skins because Carolina Country Snacks recently was named the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year. “And then to see that MARS was also selected is just icing on the cake,” Burgess noted. “Both are worthy products for sure.”

Visit coolestthingmadeinnc.com , search for the two products, and vote!  “The 10 semifinalists will be announced on Thursday, Sept. 8, and that doesn’t give us much time to take action,” Burgess said. A total of 80 products are in the first round, but Burgess is encouraging the community to vote for the two Vance County products to keep them in the running for the ultimate award.

The field of candidates narrows with each round of voting, and the winning product will be revealed on Thursday, Oct. 6, the day before National Manufacturing (MFG) Day. October is Manufacturing Month, and MFG Day, organized nationally by the NAM and The Manufacturing Institute, highlights the rewarding career opportunities of modern manufacturing.

A couple of details about the voting process:

 

  • A voter may vote once per day per valid email address.
  • Use valid email addresses; invalid addressed will be expunged from vote totals.
  • Nominated products will advance through multiple rounds of voting, with the products receiving the highest votes in each round moving to subsequent rounds.
  • Vote totals will be reset at the beginning of each round.
  • Paid advertising to promote a product is not allowed. (Don’t think I didn’t consider this before reading the rules!) If a nominee is found to have used paid advertising to promote their product in the contest, they will be disqualified.  Nominated companies are encouraged to utilize social media, press, and other channels to promote their product in the contest, but they may also take a hands-off approach if they choose.

Chamber’s Business After Hours Tomorrow At VCS Center For Innovation

Check out the Chamber’s Business After Hours event Thursday, Aug. 11 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Vance County Schools’ Center for Innovation.

Chamber members are invited to the site of the former Henderson High School and Henderson Middle School campus to enjoy some networking and refreshments. Parking is available just off N. William Street, behind the main building.

It’s a great time to talk with school leaders about how your business can support education and how schools can help to ensure they’re preparing students for the workforce.

Participants can tour the zSpace lab, SLICE lab, MakerSpace room and video production studio on campus and can learn how their business can utilize the resources available at the Center for Innovation.

There will be giveaways and door prizes.

To learn more, contact Sandra Wilkerson, the Chamber’s director of programs at Sandra@hendersonvance.org or 252.438.8414.

H-V Chamber Co-Sponsor Of July 28 Minority Business Information Exchange

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce’s Business Growth and Development Division invites minority business owners and managers to a Minority Business Information Exchange on July 28, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The event, co-sponsored by Rebuild Communities African-American Cultural Center, Benchmark Community Bank and the Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center, will be held at the Rebuild Communities African-American Cultural Center, 1513 Oxford Rd. in Henderson.

This event is open to all minority owned and managed small businesses in Vance County, including Chamber of Commerce members and non-member businesses (such as African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Vietnamese, Native Indian, women, military veterans, etc.).

This will be a great opportunity to meet and network with other small business owners, to share ideas and best practices, to discuss business needs and concerns and to identify local resources that aid and support small business growth.

To learn more, contact Chamber President Michele Burgess at 252.438.8414 or michele@hendersonvance.org

Chamber Leaders Share Concerns With City Council

It was standing room only during at least a portion of Monday evening’s Henderson City Council meeting, thanks in large part to a contingent of local business owners present as Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Ronald Bennett presented council and city leaders a letter outlining concerns for the city and the negative impact that “tolerance of criminal and undesirable behavior” could pose for the future.

Bennett addressed the mayor, council members and other city staff Monday evening as he formally presented the letter, endorsed by 21 community business leaders named at the close of the document. In what he described as a “call to action,” Bennett said he hoped for an alignment between business and city leaders to address the issues of violence and crime that has been plaguing Henderson. He specifically mentioned the exchange of gunfire that occurred at an Andrews Avenue business over Memorial Day weekend.

“In the following weeks, many members of the business community began talking with each other on how the increase in local violence would impact our business growth, and how it would affect our already struggling recruitment of workforce personnel and the future growth of our Henderson and Vance County economic development efforts,” Bennett explained.

A group of about 20 business leaders formed a Business Roundtable and have met twice in recent weeks, resulting in identification of five focus areas:

  • Neighborhood and Business Code Enforcement
  • Drugs and Crime
  • City Messaging
  • Business Friendly
  • Promoting Churches, Goodwills and Non-Profits

In an email response to questions from WIZS News, City Manager Terrell Blackmon said Tuesday that overall, the letter was well received, but some members felt that more could’ve been done initially to meet with or at least include council members and staff in the dialogue before sending it.

“Conversations were very constructive after the meeting and the consensus by both sides is that we can better address these issues by working together,” Blackmon said.

“I firmly believe as city officials that we should be held accountable and that citizens have the right to ask questions of their government,” Blackmon continued.

“However, some feedback is difficult to digest when fingers are pointed and assertions made with no full understanding of some policies and how they are administered and/or enforced.  The requests made by the group were not totally unreasonable and the city has already addressed or has begun addressing many of their concerns,” he continued, adding that he and Mayor Eddie Ellington had shared some of the updates and issues of concern at the Chamber’s recent “State of the City” event.

“Many of the speakers admitted to being absent, but now see the need for more citizen involvement and accountability from government,” Blackmon said. “We need the community to not only bring us problems, but also help us identify solutions.  The city will respond by meeting with these business leaders and hopefully developing a task force that can assist the city with developing solutions to the issues mentioned in the Chamber letter,” he said.

Chamber President Michele Burgess was present at Monday’s meeting and told WIZS News Tuesday said she thought things went “great.” During the recent “State of the City” event sponsored by the Chamber and the Henderson Rotary Club, the mayor and city manager had commented on the need for business involvement, Burgess said. “Last night, most of the speakers said that they would help, now we have to find out way we can all be involved,” she said.

Mayor Ellington, however, expressed disappointment during the meeting about the context behind the letter, according to City Clerk Esther McCrackin, who is responsible for taking minutes at the council meetings.

“He said it’s easy to criticize, condemn and complain but he hasn’t seen most of those in attendance ever present at a City Council meeting before,” McCrackin wrote in a statement Tuesday afternoon on Ellington’s behalf.

Council member Melissa Elliott’s perspective focused on the positives. In a written statement to WIZS, Elliott said she sees nothing but opportunities. She said those who spoke at the meeting, as well as the others who signed the letter, stated “they wanted to help so as I see it, it could be a phenomenal partnership between public and private sector to help our community, help our citizens have a better place to live, work and play. We can always be better and doing it together makes it much easier… no one entity can change this community alone,” Elliott said.

Brian Boyd was one of those who spoke during Monday evening’s meeting. He told WIZS News Tuesday afternoon that “Henderson is at a place in time where the decision has to be made to either defend the current state of things that are detrimental to our community, or defeat them. The challenges are real and can only be overcome with strength through unity identifying the real root of the problems, and no longer exhausting our resources on byproducts and symptoms caused by the main problem.”

He praised the council members for the way they “lead with heart, compassion and care” for the citizens they serve.

It isn’t enough to simply point out problems and expect others to fix them. “The next step was to show up and clearly state that this mission is not intended to be acted on alone, but with the engagement and cooperation of the citizens and businesses of the community,” Boyd said.

“Engagement from the community has now presented itself as a necessary ingredient to the recipe.  There is great hope here and it is because of the true love that we have for Henderson,” he added.

Newly sworn in council member Lamont Noel reserved comment on the letter, saying that he would like to have a chance to discuss with his fellow council members. Noel did tell WIZS that he was “glad to see others wanting to get involved.”

Council member Garry Daeke said Tuesday that he believed the individuals who submitted the letter “are sincere about the issues and say they want to support our efforts. It will take community to solve most issues, so this should be a great collaborative start.”

For Council member Sara Coffey, however, the contents of the letter sound familiar. “They basically are asking us for the same thing we’ve been asking them for years,” she told WIZS News Tuesday, especially with regard to code enforcement and substandard rental houses.

“We’re willing to work with the landlords, willing to work with any of the people who came before us last night,” Coffey said in a phone conversation Tuesday. “What they’re stating in the letter is a fact that we all know: that crime is bad, housing is bad. But we’ve been working on that for years.”

She said the letter is requesting action on issues that council members also have asked for. “They state the part (about) violence and the disrepair in the (city’s) homes,” Coffey said. “To me, that’s something that’s been obvious for years. And it’s also something the council has worked on for years. It’s been the same problems. We’ve worked and worked to try to eradicate guns, which we’re doing every day. But more are being brought in.”

Although she was somewhat critical of the group for being late coming to the council with the concerns, she said she was glad the group addressed council “because what they’re asking for is the same thing we’ve been asking for for years from them – the “them” being landlords.

“We want the houses where the people can live in them comfortably…we don’t want them put out of houses if they file a complaint. We just want them to fix up their houses. If they rent to tenants here in the city, then make the houses liveable,” Coffey continued.

During Monday’s meeting, Ellington noted that the city’s $1.5 million investment in two redevelopment areas, along with the upcoming Unified Development Ordinance are two positive steps in the right direction for the city. He encouraged all leaders and others present to participate and return to City Council meetings, board and committee meetings and concluded his remarks by challenging each and every one to do their part, reminding them that “tomorrow begins today.”

See below a cut and paste of entire letter.


July 5, 2022

Henderson Mayor and City Council Members
City of Henderson
P.O. Box 1434
Henderson, North Carolina 27536

Dear Honorable Mayor Ellington and Members of the Henderson City Council:

Goodwill and order in a community is achieved through the fair and consistent administration of laws and ordinances by elected leaders and appointed officials. When unlawful activities, behaviors, and violations of city codes are tolerated without penalty, and these violations overwhelm our current systems, the community suffers.

Thrive becomes Survive
Affordable becomes Deplorable
Contribution becomes Consumption
Appealing become Appalling

If we, the community of local citizens and businesses, have remained silent for too long, please forgive our absence. We believe that Henderson has earned an undesirable and unhealthy reputation of being an unsafe place to live or visit. If we continue to appear that we have tolerance of criminal and undesirable behavior, our city’s future is somber. We can no longer afford to rely solely on the hope that things will just get better on their own. It is time for concerned citizens, business leaders, elected leaders, and appointed officials to align by acknowledging the following points:

1. Neighborhood and Business Code Enforcement – The lack of enforcement of our written codes has led to the significant decline in the appeal and safety of neighborhoods and the central business district. These unsightly areas are now growing to become main focal points around the city, with the safety and quality of structures being extremely compromised. The vegetation overgrowth, substandard living conditions, junk that is being allowed to remain, abandoned homes that remain in deplorable condition, have all created an environment of oppressed poverty and crime. We believe it sends the wrong message that our city is content with status quo and we do not care enough to make improvements.

2. Drugs and Crime – The continuing violence and crime creates a perception that Henderson is not a safe place to move to or locate a business. To some outsiders, Henderson is now considered to be a business friendly city, but unfortunately, to only one type business, and that type being the illegal drug dealer business. Many neighborhoods are at a level of severe poverty and blight and the local justice system has proven itself to offer slow-to-no enforcement of penalties, thus creating a perfect illegal drug business culture. If this continues, we fear businesses and jobs will flee, or just stay away. This type of community will only take and consume from the next generation that has to survive within it. We must work together to stop this downward spiral of rampant drug use and criminal behavior within our community.

3. City Messaging – It is important for city officials and law enforcement to take immediate action identifying the neighborhood streets with suspected drug houses, abandoned house hang-outs and gang activity, and then add a police presence to protect lawful citizens living there. Placing an immediate priority on, (1) holding the current property owners accountable for not meeting the housing codes and (2) taking immediate steps to condemning those houses where drug deals are being made, is the only fair and law-abiding action. Please research and use creative measures that allow you to take immediate action. Our community cannot tolerate a year-long wait to go through the long, red-tape processes of doing so, as it compromises accountability and promotes negligence. We encourage you to take a bold stance with a consistent message: “This activity will not be tolerated and those that act in this manner will face immediate consequences. Henderson will be a clean and safe community for all who live, work, visit and shop here!”

4. Business Friendly – In order to grow our local economy, we need an efficient system in place for developers beginning the process of starting a business, renovating an existing building, or finding an appealing location to purchase property. Attracting employers, services, and goods to Henderson are integral to creating a vibrant and strong community where citizens can thrive. There are several issues of code, process, and communication hindering progress in this area. Those who want to invest need to know the city departments, city-required processes, and needed permitting up front. Having clear and concise city regulations as a guide, rather than a guard, is the best way to make sure we have a community open for solid, quality-of-life contributing businesses. Also, having a streamlined system in place ensuring equal enforcement of code and compliance standards for existing businesses and structures, and for new start-ups is essential.

5. Promoting Healthy Churches, Civic Organizations, and Non-Profits – There are already many active organizations providing help and hope to Henderson citizens, above and beyond what government is doing. These organizations are local and made possible because of the generous, volunteer spirit of neighbors, caregivers, and people who love this city. These are resources that do not get put into a city budget because they are supported through the time and investments of their volunteers. This type of collective impact is a model of problem-solving which involves different entities (both governmental and non-governmental) working to address a specific social problem. Identifying and promoting these organizations are crucial to a healthy and growing community.

We are grateful to all city staff members for the quality work and service they provide daily. In order for a vibrant and thriving community to exist, we must rely on the City Manager and the City Department Heads to oversee the diligent enforcement of the established laws, codes, and ordinances, many at dangerous and critical levels. In this way, we are a contributing society rather than a consuming one.

We hope you receive this message with a renewed sense of purpose, urgency, and focus. We must address the violence along with the multitude of underlying factors to move from the mode of survive to thrive.

We want to work with you to transform our city into one that will effectively Thrive, Appeal, Afford, Contribute, and Educate. Together we can begin now with a renewed sense of action to address these challenges faced by our community. Please accept these requests willingly and with the knowledge that our community will respond with encouragement, support, and active participation.

Sincerely,

Concerned Business and Community Leaders in Henderson and Vance County

Gerson Morales Argueta
Ronald Bennett
Brandon Boyd
Brian Boyd
Charles Boyd
Mary Boyd
Michele Burgess
Greg Etheridge
Dicky Flye
Faye Guin
Heather Hodge
Stephanie Hoyle
Angie Jacobs
Amanda Pearson
Tommy Roberson
Cliff Rogers
Dr. Abidan Shah
Curtis White
Margier White
Sandra Wilkerson
Michelle Wood

Local Businesses Asked To Donate Items For New Teacher Welcome Bags

The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce is preparing 130 welcome bags for the new teachers preparing to come to work in the Vance County area.

But the Chamber needs your help! If your business would like to donate an item to help fill these bags, please contact us at 252.438.8414 or bring the items (in quantities of 130, please) to the Chamber office, 414 S. Garnett St., no later than Friday, July 8.

The schools include those in Vance County Public Schools as well as Henderson Collegiate, Crossroads Christian School, Kerr-Vance Academy and Vance Charter School.

Some suggestions for donations include: pens, pencils, pads, hand sanitizer, coupons /discount cards, key chains, etc.

The Chamber staff thanks you in advance for your kind donation.

Register For Chamber’s W.O.V.E.N. Meeting Aug. 3

The August Lunch and Learn meeting of WOVEN (Women of Vance Empowered Networking) is scheduled for Aug. 3 at the Vance-Granville Community College Civic Center.

The meeting begins at 12 noon. Cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. Staff from Maria Parham Health will discuss the importance of women’s health care in a program titled “Self Care Isn’t Selfish.”

As female business professionals, we all have put our health on the back burner from time to time. This hour-long networking opportunity will give you professional advice on the importance of taking care of yourself.

Registration is required by July 27 and payment is preferred prior to the event.

Register at https://business.hendersonvance.org/events/details/woven-self-care-isn-t-selfish-the-importance-of-women-s-health-care-1997 or email sandra@hendersonvance.org or hailey@hendersonvance.org.

Local Businesses Asked To Help Fill Welcome Bags For New Teachers

More than 100 new teachers are expected to be in classrooms all across Vance County when August arrives, and the Education Committee of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce wants to welcome them with promotional items donated by local businesses.

In fact, 130 new teachers will receive Welcome Bags, which Chamber officials hope will be FILLED with items like pens and pencils, notepads, hand sanitizer, keychains, highlighters, discount coupons and more, courtesy of businesses in the county.

The deadline to bring items – in quantities of 130, if at all possible – to the Chamber office is Friday, July 8. Please contact the Chamber at 252. 438.8414 if items need to be picked up.

The Chamber is located at 411 S. Garnett St.