Granville Teachers and Manufacturing Leaders hold summit

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On Monday, June 19, a group of teachers from GCPS joined leaders from local advanced manufacturing companies for a “Pipeline to Employment” summit.  The purpose of the event was to strengthen collaboration and understanding between local Advanced Manufacturing businesses and our school district.

Advanced Manufacturing is one of the fastest growing sectors of our local economy, and there are an increasing number of well-paying careers available.  Most of these require some type of post-secondary education offered through our community college system or specialized industry training. Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses offer pathways into these areas as well.  It was shared that starting salaries for students with specialized credentials or 2-year degrees can start as high as $40 thousand a year, with excellent benefits and lots of opportunities for overtime.  Many of these careers can also be extended with additional BS degrees and beyond with higher levels of engineering, IT or biotech sector jobs.

During the event, educators heard from a variety of speakers, including a presentation from Alexis Franks of NC Works, Ms. Judy Woodson-Bruhn, Career Resource Specialist & Labor & Economics Analyst, from the NC Department of Commerce, and Michael McConchie, Certified Business Coach, M&M Consultants. They also had a chance to participate in industry roundtables, where representatives from twelve local companies presented information about their products and workforce needs.

Representatives from the following companies attended:

Altec

SunRock

PRM

Bridgestone Bandag

Delhaize America

Plastic Ingenuity

CertainTeed

Revlon

Stay Online

Gate Precast

NT Techno

Summit Engineering and Design

Dr. Stan Winborne, Director of the Career and Technical Education program explained the importance of the event, “Educators don’t often have an opportunity to hear first hand from local business and industry about their workforce needs.  This was a fantastic way to make direct connections between the classroom and the workplace.  The teachers who participated now have great information about all of the career opportunities to share with their students.  Not many people realize how technically advanced most of these jobs are, and they would be shocked to learn just how much money someone can make with 2 years or less of technical training – no 4-year degree required.  It’s amazing the opportunities in our own back yard.  I am grateful to the time these business leaders gave to this event.  It is evident they are truly invested in the future of our community.”

Several County Commissioners were in attendance, and Chairman Tim Karan and Commissioner Dr. Tony Cozart both offered remarks supporting partnerships to help better prepare our young citizens for careers in our local economy.  Board Chair Dr. Houlihan was also on hand and praised the efforts to bring our schools and employers together.  This event was co-planned by Mr. Harry Mills, Economic Development Director for Granville County, and the Career and Technical Education program of GCPS, under the leadership of Ms. Tamara Rodebaugh, Career Development Coordinator.

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Dr. Stan Winborne
Director of High Schools
Director of Career & Technical Education Program
Public Information Officer
Granville County Schools

Harry Mills Graduates from REDI

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Harry Mills, Granville County Economic Development Director, graduated in May from the Rural Economic Development Institute (REDI), an intensive, three-month training program designed for rural community leaders. Rural Center President Patrick Woodie presented certificates to the program’s 31 graduates during a ceremony at the NC Rural Center.

For 27 years, REDI has helped rural leaders improve their leadership skills and increase their knowledge of economic and community development strategies, equipping them with the tools they need to tackle the issues facing their rural communities.

This year’s class participants included elected officials, economic development professionals, business owners, and civic leaders. More than 1,100 rural leaders have graduated from REDI since the program began in 1989.

Cover Photo By: York Wilson

Granville Chamber Releases June Calendar of Events

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JUNE CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

June 1; 6:30 pm

Safety Awards Banquet

NC DEPT. OF LABOR

~ Recognition of business and industry safety award winners ~

VGCC’s South Campus

 

June  2; lunch & dinner
New Horizons’ Baptist Church’s BBQ chicken plate sale

$8/plate; FMI:  Rev. Cam Ford @ 919.603.5146

 

June 2; 7 – 10 pm

BUTNER’S CHICKEN PICKIN’ DANCE

“The Konnection Band”

Location:  Lifestyle Fitness Parking Lot or

Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena (inclement weather)

www.bcaserves.org or 919-575-3032

 

June 2, 8 – 10 pm

FIRST FRIDAYS in CREEDMOOR

Lake Rogers Park, Creedmoor

Movie, “Secret Life of Pets” begins at 8 pm

Bring comfortable chair and/or pad or quilt to sit on

FMI:  Graham Tillerson @ Creedmoor City Hall

 

June 3; 9 am – 4 pm

BUTNER CHICKEN ‘ PICKIN

“The Castaways Band”

Location:  Gazebo Park – Central Ave., Butner, N.C.

919-575-3032

www.bcaserves.org

 

June 3; 7 am – 12 noon

ROTARY – Kerr-Tar Region Yard Sale

Boys and Girls Club Parking Lot

105 West St., Oxford (off Broad St.)

 

June 6; 12 noon

LUNCH ‘n LEARN

“SHOP SMALL”, presented by Melanie Diehl

Carolina BBQ & Chicken-1597 NC Hwy 56 ,Creedmoor

Buffet prices-Seniors $6.50 & others $8.99

FMI:  Chamber offices – 919-693-6125 or 919-528-4994

 

June 8; 12 noon/registration; 1 pm/shot gun start

CHAMBER’S 4th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Henderson Country Club

$100/individual players; $100 hole sponsorship

DEAL:  4-person team + hole sponsorship = $450 total

FMI:  Chamber office

 

June 8; 4 – 7 pm

NATIONAL MARY POTTER CLUB’s COMMUNITY CHOIR FUNDRAISER

Dinner and Song Spaghetti Supper; $10/plate

Mary E. Shaw Gym; 205 Lanier St., Oxford

FMI:  Rosalyn Green @ 919.690.0325

 

June 10: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Creedmoor Fishing Tournament

Location:  Lake Rogers Park

For more information:  919-764-1005 – Creedmoor Recreation

recreation@cityofcreedmoor.org

 

June 13; 8 am

Chamber’s Board of Directors Meeting

Chamber Boardroom; 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford

 

June 14; 2 – 8 pm

CREEDMOOR’S NATIONAL DAY OF PLAY

Lake Rogers Park, Creedmoor

919-528-3332

 

June 14; 5:30 – 8:30 pm

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

VINO OASI; 3200 Bliss Trail, Stem

FMI:  Lisa @ 919.238.4078

 

June 15; 8 am

Leadership Granville’s Steering Committee

Chamber’s Boardroom

 

June 15; 12 noon

CHAMBER’S HUMAN RESOURCE COMMITTEE MEETING

Host -Certainteed Corporation

200 Certainteed Dr., Oxford, N.C.

 

June 17; 10 am

22nd ANNUAL CENTRAL CHILDREN’S HOME PARADE

Downtown Oxford

Campus activities following the parade

FMI:  919.693.7617

 

June 19; 8 am – 4 pm

“Pipeline to Employment Event”

Granville County Expo Center

Sponsored by Granville Co. Public Schools CTE Dept. & Granville Co. Economic Development Dept.

FMI:  Tamara Rodebaugh @ 919.475.3101; rodebaughtw@gcs.k12.nc.us

 

June 20; 8 am

CHAMBER’S AMBASSADORS MEETING

Chamber Boardroom

FMI:  Toni Anne Wheeler; Membership Coordinator

919.528.4994

 

June 22; 8 pm/Concessions; 8:30 pm/Movie begins

OXFORD’S DOWNTOWN MOVIE NIGHT

Main St., Oxford

“The Secret Life of Pets”

Bring a chair and flashlight

FMI:  919.693.1217

 

June 23; 7:45 pm ~ A LIGHT BREAKFAST WILL BE PROVIDED

Chamber’s SUNRISE FORUM

Granville County Expo Center

~ Hosted by Granville County

“GRANVILLE COUNTY UPDATE” by County Manager Mike Felts

RSVP to a Chamber office by June 16th

 

June 24; 9 am – 4 pm

BEE JUBILEE ~ Granville Co. Beekeepers Assoc.

Granville County Expo Center

Free; open to the public

FMI:  Christi Henthorn; 907.738.9047; granvillebeejubilee@gmail.com

 

June 27; 7:45 am

BUSINESS-BEFORE-HOURS @ CAMP OAK HILL

1582 Oak Hill Rd. – off Hwy 96-North

~ Enjoy a delicious breakfast and a tour of Camp Oak Hill ~

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED to a Chamber Office by June 21st

 

June 28; 5:30 – 8:30 pm

WINE DOWN WEDNESDAY

VINO OASI; 3200 Bliss Trail, Stem

FMI:  Lisa @ 919.238.4078

 

June 29; 5:30 – 8:30 pm

RE-SCHEDULED ALIVE AFTER FIVE

Downtown Oxford; parking lot @ Littlejohn & Gilliam Sts.

Entertainers:  THE CASTAWAYS BAND

This first AA5 of 2017, originally planned for May, was postponed due to inclement weather.  The Chamber, the “CASTAWAYS BAND” and concession vendors look forward to seeing everyone the evening of THURSDAY, JUNE 29th, in downtown Oxford.

TRAC in Granville County Region – WIZS Live Broadcast

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Thursday May 18th from 10 am to 2 pm, tourism-related businesses in Granville County and the surrounding region will have an opportunity to work with Visit North Carolina staff to learn about its research, development and marketing services, and discuss best practices in reaching travelers, the media and increasing tourism visitation and spending. Visit North Carolina’s Tourism Resource Assistance Center (TRAC), a community-based training program designed to help small tourism-related businesses, will be held at Cedar Creek Gallery located on 1150 Fleming Road in Creedmoor.  The gallery offers for sale the work of over 200 of America’s most accomplished craftspeople in a unique, relaxing atmosphere.  For more information about the gallery, log onto www.cedarcreekgallery.com.  The event will also feature the Baton Rouge Cuisine Food Truck providing authentic, fresh Cajun & Soul food for sale.

Log onto https://www.brcuisine.com/ for menu.

There is no charge to attend TRAC, no reservation is required, and there are no PowerPoint presentations. This is a come-when-you-can/stay-as-long-as-you’d-like event opportunity for all tourism-related businesses to meet one-on-one with program managers to discuss better ways to promote their property or event. TRAC brings Visit North Carolina’s program managers to local communities to discuss the nuts and bolts of working with the organization. This invaluable program is designed to help tourism-related businesses engage more fully with programs offered by Visit North Carolina and its partners.

WIZS will broadcast live from the event from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for interested citizens and business owners that may not have the opportunity to attend.

Representatives from the EDPNC’s BLNC, N.C. Dept. of Commerce, N.C. Dept. of Natural & Cultural Resources, GotToBe NC Agri-Tourism and NC GreenTravel will also be on hand to discuss services they can provide businesses, including strategic planning, assisting with identifying funding sources and serving as liaisons with other local, state and federal agencies. For additional information on this session or to learn more about scheduling a TRAC visit to your community, contact André Nabors at (919) 447-7771.

In addition, Angela Allen, Tourism Director for Granville County will also be in attendance to share with restaurants, retail stores, events and attractions on how she can help drive visitors to Granville and their businesses.  Please feel free to contact her at 919-693-6125 or log onto www.visitgranvillenc.com .

Granville Chamber to host Women in Business Luncheon

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WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 ~ 12:00 noon

THORNDALE OAKS, 105 West Quailridge Road, Oxford

You are invited to lunch and an outstanding program by

Holly Boyd & Anna Cate Fleming

Fashion Blogger Anna Cate Collection

Lunch:  $15 Chamber members

$18 non-Chamber members

Reservations are REQUIRED by Monday, May 22nd

(Reservations not cancelled prior to May 23rd will be invoiced.)

WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON SPONSORS:

CENTURY 21/HANCOCK PROPERTIES/ANNE HANCOCK, TRACY DOZIER

GRANVILLE INSURANCE AGENCY/SANDRA D. PRUITT

JIMMY WILLIAMS & ASSOCS. – NATIONWIDE INS./GLENDA M. WILLIAMS

REVLON

THORNDALE OAKS/ FAITH C. WATKINS

BRUMMITT ELECTRIC/HELEN H. BRUMMITT

EDWARD D JONES/ WANDA ELMORE

FONVILLE MORISSEY REALTOR/SUZANNE BORNEMANN

LEGAL SHIELD/RUTH ANN BULLOCK

LEWIS ELECTRIC OF OXFORD/CAROLYN E. WILSON

LYDIA CROUSE PHOTOGRAPHY/LYDIA CROUSE

NORTH CENTRAL MEDICAL TRANSPORT/CARRIE R. CURRIN

RODAN & FIELDS INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT/SUSAN S. CREWS

Oxford Alive After 5 Postponed

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Due to the weather predictions and uncertainty, a decision has been made to POSTPONE tomorrow night’s ALIVE AFTER FIVE until Thursday, June 29th.

Please know that this decision was made after careful consideration for the band, concession vendors, sponsors, volunteers, law enforcement — everyone we can think of!

The Chamber appreciates everyone’s support and understanding!  We will look forward to the June 29th event!

Ginnie Currin

Executive Director

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

May is Focus on Membership Month for Granville County Chamber of Commerce

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TAKE NOTE

May 11-19 – Annual Spring Membership Blitz – kicked off at the May 11 -Downtown Oxford – Alive After Five- at special attraction table for Chamber. Join during the Blitz receive 15 months for the fee of 12 months along with many other benefits! Refer a potential member and they join receive during the Blitz, you will be entered in a drawing for a “mystery” prize.

Tuesday – May 16 – Lunch and Learn -12 Noon – Chamber Board Room 124 Hillsboro St., Oxford – Kevin Bullock of WIZS presenter – “Marketing Techniques to Boost Your Business” – Lunch provided – RSVP by Monday -May 15 to a Chamber Office.

Wednesday – May 17 – Navigating the Chamber Orientation and Refresher – 4:00 pm – Creedmoor Business Center – Bring business cards and materials to share about your business, organization or non-profit. RSVP to a Chamber Office by Noon on May 17.

Friday, May 19- Membership Appreciation Picnic hosted by our Chamber Ambassadors to say, “Thanks for being a Granville County Chamber Member!” – 11:00-2:00 (floating) @ Granville Athletic Park (The GAP) Belltown Road.

FREE – Hot dogs and Hamburgers with the trimmings for all to enjoy and be APPRECIATED! New members will be recognized! RSVP to a Chamber Office by May 18th.

We look forward to seeing you and any of your staff at as many as of these “May Member Focus” events as you can participate in. To learn more about any of these events contact a Chamber Office: wanda@granville-chamber.com  /919-693-6125 or tawheeler@granville-chamber.com  /919-528-4994.

Local Chambers of Commerce to Host Administrative Professionals Luncheon

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce, together with Franklin, Warren and Vance Chambers, and the Small Business Center of Vance-Granville Community College,  are sponsoring the annual Administrative Professionals Luncheon.

This year’s event is being held Wednesday, April 26 at noon, at Henderson Country Club.  Business owners and administrators are encouraged to treat their administrative professionals to lunch, networking and an interesting presentation in observance of Administrative Professionals’ Day.

Lunch reservations are required ~ $20/person by April 14th to either of the Chamber’s offices – 919.693.6125, wanda@granville-chamber.com or 919.528.4994, tawheeler@granville-chamber.com.

Granville Chamber Requests Nominations for Small Business of the Year Award

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The four area Chambers of Commerce – Granville, Franklin, Vance and Warren, along with Vance-Granville Community College’s Small Business Center, are sponsoring the annual Small Business Award Luncheon May 3rd at Henderson Country Club.

The criteria is as follows:

  • Employs a maximum of 50 people
  • Member of the Chamber and located in the county
  • Viable, on-going business for three or more years
  • Provides critical service or product
  • May have overcome diverse or extraordinary circumstances to remain in business
  • Business is supportive of community growth sustainability
  • Is not a governmental agency or municipality

Anyone may nominate a business they feel deserves recognition and meets the criteria.

Companies may nominate themselves.  Past Granville County recipients are:  Cardiovascular Care; Stovall’s Gifts;  Preferred Communications; Royster, Cross and Hensley; House of Ribeyes; Lewis Electric of Oxford; The School of Graphic Arts,  Express Employment Professionals, Oxford Ace Hardware, Creedmoor Drug Company, Whitco Termite and Pest Control, F. O. Finch Insurance Agency and Floyd Management and Realty.

Nomination forms are available from a Chamber office or from the website, www.granville-chamber.com and are to be returned to the Chamber by April 13th.

 

Local Small Business Summit to be held April 6th at Warren County Armory

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has announced the complete lineup of presenters for the fifth Small Business Summit, which will be held Thursday, April 6, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., at the Warren County Armory Civic Center in Warrenton.

The Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission, and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center are partnering with the college to organize the event, which has the theme, “Driving Your Business: Staying Ahead of the Curves.” CenturyLink is the presenting sponsor. Other co-sponsors are Halifax Electric Membership Corporation, the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, The Daily Dispatch, The Warren Record, WARR 1520 AM and WIZS 1450 AM.

The summit kicks off at 11 a.m. with an interactive session entitled “Google – Get Your Business on the Map,” led by Craig Hahn, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County. Participants are encouraged to set up a free Google/Gmail account prior to this workshop, if they do not already have one. Hahn will help local businesses “claim” their listings on the leading search engine, which will help their customers find up-to-date information. He will also review free tools that Google has available for increased visibility.

During lunch, the keynote address will be presented by Tammy Crowley-Deloatch, a nationally certified personal trainer and president of New Day Fitness in Roanoke Rapids. Her discussion is entitled “Put Your Dreams to the Test,” in which she describes a dream as “an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.” She will ask participants a series of key questions that provide a powerful learning process that greatly increases the likelihood of success in achieving their dreams.

The afternoon features a pair of interactive sessions led by Chisa Pennix-Brown, CEO of Lady Bizness, based in Greensboro. Pennix-Brown has 15 years of experience in business coaching, community outreach, and social media insight. Her most recent accomplishment is becoming the author of “The 90 Day Focus: Your Action Plan for Success.”

In the first seminar, “Business Apps Made Easy” (1-3 p.m.), Pennix-Brown will teach participants how they can save time and money using mobile apps that help with marketing, syncing calendars, saving content, and creating multiple posts on their social media accounts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their iPhone or Android phones or tablets along with their logins and passwords for existing social media accounts.

The second seminar is “Facebook Made Easy” (3-5 p.m.), in which participants will learn how to use Facebook pages to brand their businesses and engage customers. Pennix-Brown will cover how to start a page from scratch; how to schedule messages that save time; how to automate their marketing and keep people on their page; and apps that integrate to make their businesses stand out.

The purpose of the Small Business Summit is to engage, empower and enrich participants to help make their small businesses more successful through innovative marketing practices. “We welcome all aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and non-profit leaders to participate in this inspirational, educational and motivational experience with us,” said Tanya Weary, director of the VGCC Small Business Center.

All sessions during the summit are free of charge. Lunch will be provided free of charge to the first 100 registered participants by CenturyLink. After that point, lunch is $10.

For more information, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–