New VGCC Job Driven Initiative staff connect area residents with training
Two professional staff members are now in place at Vance-Granville Community College to help area residents obtain education and training through a special grant.
The college, in partnership with the Kerr-Tar Workforce Development Board, received a $147,000 “NCWorks Job Driven Initiative” (JDI) grant in 2014, made possible by federal funds awarded to the North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions. VGCC currently ranks second out of 12 North Carolina community colleges in the number of students who have been approved for grant funding.
Rosemarie Baker is the new JDI Grant Program Marketer and Connie Ragland is the Grant Coach, both working in the VGCC Continuing Education division. Baker’s role is to educate the community about the program and recruit potential students, after which Ragland helps to see if they qualify for the program. For those who do, Ragland tracks their progress and helps guide them to success.
Baker, a resident of Clarksville, Va., spent more than 15 years teaching business and marketing classes, most of which were in the Vance County Schools system. She graduated from Longwood College (now Longwood University) in Virginia, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with concentrations in Management and Marketing Management. Baker said that although she is new to her position, she knows the college well. “I actually began my college experience as a freshman at VGCC, I have taught classes for VGCC, and now, I’m recruiting students to take advantage of this great training under the JDI grant,” she said. Baker noted that if students meet the requirements as determined by NCWorks, the grant funding will pay for their tuition, books, certain supplies and certification testing fees.
A Henderson resident, Ragland has held various positions at area organizations including Kittrell Job Corps Center, FGV Partnership for Children, Granville County Schools and, most recently, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. She earned a degree in Business Administration at North Carolina A&T State University. Over the course of her career, Ragland has enjoyed working in many capacities that allowed her to help people of all ages, from young children to adults. Her proudest accomplishments, she said, have come from the benefits of operating two non-profits with her husband, R.O.Y. and New Horizons Training Group. “As the NCWorks JDI Grant Coach, I hope that this opportunity to serve will help someone be able to continue their educational pursuits because of the tuition assistance that it can provide,” Ragland said. “I’m excited to be a part of the Vance-Granville family.”
VGCC’s programs as part of the JDI are all designed to lead to industry-recognized or state-regulated credentials, and to prepare students for various entry-level jobs that address the needs of local employers. These programs include BioWork Process Technician, Certified Logistics Technician, Certified Production Technician (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council), Class B Commercial Driver License (CDL–B), Health Unit Coordinator, Health Unit Secretary, Nurse Aide, Home Health Care Aide, Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, Guest Service Gold, Hospitality (START), and Heavy Equipment Operator.
Students must meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in the grant program. For more information, contact VGCC at raglandc@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3452.
H-V Chamber Membership Drive Update
The Ambassador team secured eight businesses and the Board team secured two businesses. Looks like the Board team is going to be wearing the aprons!
The following new businesses joined the team since we put the membership drive into action during the end of October.
Hoyle’s Tire and Axle on Highway 39 in Henderson. They sell new and remanufactured mobile home and utility axles and tires. They also sell parts to repair and mount axles to all types of trailers. They are open from 7AM til 3:30 PM Monday through Friday. For more information, please call them at 252-438-2818
Shelia’s Accufile and Business Services at 418 S Garnett Street in Henderson. She offers bookkeeping, personal and business tax and payroll services. Shelia is an IRS authorized Efile provider and offers affordable pricing. Please 252-430-0226 call for more information.
Owners Lisa and Bennie Blackwell have opened Middleburg Steak and Seafood House at 7139 Broad Street in Middleburg. They offer a wide variety of great food choices on their menu each day of the week along with a hot buffet on Sundays for those looking for a great meal on Sundays after Church. For more information please contact them at 919-971-9963.
NC Coyotes is a professional ABA basketball team showcasing the best talents from the Triangle, Oxford, Warren, Franklin, Granville and Vance Counties. The North Carolina Coyotes dream began when Founder Reynaldo Espinosa wanted to have an effective gateway for the men in the community to restore their skill-sets and showcase their talents. Through his organization, the Second Chance Basketball Foundation, the Coyotes were born. Restoring hope for a small community, the Coyotes finished out their 2014-2015 season as DIVISIONAL RUNNER UPS in just their second year out of 82 teams across the country.
Scottish Inns located at 1759 N Garnett Street in Henderson. Contact information is 252-438-6172
Quality Inn located at 197 Parham Road in Henderson joined the Chamber under new management. Contact number is 252-4320-6501.
Econo Lodge located at 112 Parham Road in Henderson. They are open 24 hours/seven days a week. For more information or to book a reservation contact Chris or Ashok Patel at 252-438-8511.
Access Counseling Services at 314 S Garnett Street in Henderson. Owner Nekisha Williams offers outpatient therapy services for children and adolescents ages 5 to 21. Others services are parent coaching, clinical assessments, academic testing and substance abuse assessments. For more information, please call 252-915-8966.
The Board team secured LIMBionics. They are in Durham and will be locating an office here in Henderson at 851 S. Beckford Drive. Brittany Stresing, president of the company is in the process of getting the office setup for business. She can be contacted at 919-908-8975 until the office is ready for clients. Brittany Stresing, has earned the highest accolade in Prosthetics and Orthotics! She is officially one of the few Fellows of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists which is an accolade few achieve in their career. This title goes to those who prove dedication to the profession in academics, professionalism, and improving the profession and patient care. Brittany is one of less than 8 Fellows in the state and she is the only female!
They also secured Watkins Insurance Agency at 133 N Mecklenburg Ave. in South Hill, Va. They can be contacted at 434-447-3544.
Many thanks to all that took part in making our membership drive a success. The volunteer support we receive from our Board members and Chamber ambassadors is truly inspiring and shows me the passion and measure of commitment that they have for our Chamber. Thank you; we could not do what we do throughout the year without you!
A tremendous thanks goes out to all of our new and renewing members for helping us make this a great event. Your support means so much to us.
The Membership Drive may be over, but its still not too late to join more than 300 plus business members. Contact Annette Roberson at 252-438-8414 and become a member today!
Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Recognizes Granville County, NC Small Businesses by Celebrating Small Business Saturday®
Today the Granville County Chamber of Commerce announced its participation in the sixth annual Small Business Saturday on November 28th to support independent businesses in Granville County, NC. Founded by in American Express in 2010, Small Business Saturday® is a day to celebrate the small businesses that help support your neighborhood and is held every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Now in its sixth year, Small Business Saturday has been embraced as part of the holiday shopping tradition as each year shoppers, businesses and public officials come together to Shop Small® and show their neighborhood pride.
Understanding the important contributions small businesses make to their communities, the Granville County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce our participation in Small Business Saturday and the Neighborhood Champion program. On Saturday, November 28th the greater Granville County area is encouraged to take part in our Small Business Saturday Shop Granville First event across the county. The event will feature special offers by local businesses and giveaways to consumers. The event will begin at both Chamber Office locations, where Shop Small® shopping bags and Passports, along with coupons, a list of participating businesses, and other materials will be provided to consumers.
How the Passport Promotion Works:
Consumers may pick up a Passport at either Chamber Office OR at a participating business on or before Saturday, November 28th.
Patrons of small businesses in Granville County may participate for one of the Grand Prizes by bringing their Passport to participating small businesses on November 28th, shopping and getting their passport stamped.
Passports may be turned into either Chamber Office by Friday December 4th. Grand Prize winners will be determined by the amount of different business stamps on a passport. Winners will be announced on Tuesday December 8th.
American Express created the Neighborhood Champions program to help rally communities around Small Business Saturday and is working alongside numerous business organizations to support local Small Business Saturday celebrations throughout the country. Participating organizations include the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), the International Downtown Association, the Latino Coalition, the National Main Street Center, the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials on www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can also visit the site to find small merchants to shop at on Small Business Saturday.
About Small Business Saturday
November 28th marks the sixth annual Small Business Saturday, a day dedicated to supporting the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday was created by American Express in 2010 in response to small business owners’ most pressing need: more customers.
CONTACT:
Ginnie Currin, 919.693.6125
YMCA Gobble Gallop Registration
The Henderson Family YMCA announces the 6th Annual Gobble Gallop. Click here for a registration form.
Register at The Henderson Police Department from 8:00 until 8:45 A.M. the day of the race, Saturday, November 21 or online at www.hendersonymca.org. Canned food items brought to the race will benefit Area Christians Together in Service.
This is in partnership with Girls on the Run and Stride.
Girls on the Run® is a positive youth development program which combines an interactive curriculum and running to inspire self respect and healthy lifestyles in pre-teen girls. The core curriculum addresses many aspects of girls’ development – their physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. Lessons provide girls with the tools to make positive decisions and to avoid risky adolescent behaviors.
STRIDE gives boys the opportunity to share and explore issues that they face in school, at sports, in the community and at home. They learn the importance of being a good friend, working as a team, saying no to drugs and making good decisions. STRIDE wants to help boys become young men who KNOW what is right, CARE what is right and DO what is right.
November Crime Stoppers
Crimes of The Month — November 2015
Hit & Run Death by Motor Vehicle Case:
On October 21, 2015 at approximately 9:12 P.M., officers of the Henderson Police (Department) responded to the intersection of E. Andrews Ave. and US-1 in reference to a vehicle collision with a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers found Gordon Hargrove in a wheel chair (that) was struck by a semi-truck. Hargrove was fatally injured. The semi-truck had left the scene. The Henderson Police Department encourages anyone with information related to this crime to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925. You can put anonymous tips on the web site www.hvcrimestoppers.com. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
Armed Robbery Case
On October 26, 2015 at approximately 5:04 PM., officers responded to Dollar General, located at 1702 N. Garnett Street, in reference to an armed robbery. The suspect had left the store on foot and was headed east towards Food Lion. Upon arrival, officers talked to Ms. Deborah Campbell, a store employee, who stated that a black male, approximately 25 years old with dreads, had entered the store wearing a light-colored Halloween mask, a dark blue or black sweatshirt, dark-colored pants and light brown work gloves with a gun. Suspect took the money and left the store on foot. The Henderson Police Department encourages anyone with information related to this crime to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141 or Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925. You can put anonymous tips on the web site www.hvcrimestoppers.com. Callers may remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers offers a reward up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest.
Armed Robbery Case
On October 19, 2015 at approximately 8:30pm, Vance County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to Raleigh Road Convenience Store, 2406 Raleigh Road Henderson, NC. in reference to an Armed Robbery. Upon arrival, Deputies talked to Mohamed Alraishani who stated that two black males came into the store with guns and demanded the money from the register. Both suspects took the money and ran from the store. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office encourages any person with information related to this case to contact Henderson – Vance Crime Stoppers at 492-1925 and also you can put anonymous tips on the web site www.hvcrimestoppers.com. Citizens with information can also contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 738-2200.
Armed Robbery Case
On October 22, 2015 at approximately 5:31pm, Vance County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to NC 39 BP Convenience Store, 2868 NC 39 South Henderson, NC. in reference to an Armed Robbery. Upon arrival Deputies talked to Abdulkader Triaki who stated that a black male wearing a white hoodie came into the store with a gun and demanded the money from the register. The suspect took the money and ran from the store. The Vance County Sheriff’s Office encourages any person with information related to this case to contact Henderson –Vance Crime Stoppers at 492-1925 and also you can put anonymous tips on the web site www.hvcrimestoppers.com. Citizens with information can also contact the Vance County Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at 738-2200.
Note: Crime Stoppers will pay rewards up to $2,000.00 for information leading to the arrest of persons responsible for this and other criminal offenses. All information received is kept confidential. The Crime Stoppers phone number is 492-1925. Callers do not have to give their name.
(This information came in a Press Release from Crime Stoppers.)
Northern Vance at Cedar Ridge
IN A LAST MINUTE PROGRAMMING CHANGE, WIZS WILL NOW BE BROADCASTING THE NORTHERN VANCE AT CEDAR RIDGE FOOTBALL GAME. WE WILL HAVE SCORE UPDATES OF SOUTHERN VANCE AT FRANKLINTON. AGAIN, WIZS WILL DO THE LIVE PLAY BY PLAY OF NORTHERN VANCE AT CEDAR RIDGE AND GIVE SCORE UPDATES OF SOUTHERN VANCE AT FRANKLINTON. AIRTIME IS 6:45 P.M. FOR A 7:00 P.M. KICKOFF. EVERY WORD WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON WIZS 1450 AM AND ON THE LISTEN NOW TAB ON WIZS.COM. WIZS CAN ALSO BE HEARD WITH THE TUNE IN RADIO APP ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET.