Leadership Vance Graduates 14 Community Participants

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-Information courtesy the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Fourteen participants have successfully completed the 2019 Leadership Vance program. Leadership Vance is a Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce program designed to create a group of informed and dedicated leaders who will contribute to the community.

The program is organized into twelve sessions which began February 5 with an orientation breakfast at Perry Library in the Farm Bureau Room and concluded on July 9 with a graduation ceremony and dinner at Hillside Farms in Henderson.

Participants are exposed to various aspects of Henderson and Vance County, specifically in regard to city and county government, health and community resources, economic development, agriculture and natural resources, history, media, criminal justice and law.

The Leadership Vance Graduates for 2019 include (left front): Lemondre’ Watson, Sharita Jones, Jason Varner, McKinley Perkinson, Evelyn Harris, Fantasia Johnson. (Left back): Brian Williams, Lee Andrew Faines, Jr., Elgin Lane, Pam Hester, Norman Dickerson, Jr., Sandra Wilkerson, Chamber Events Director and Andrew (Joel) Beckham. Not pictured: Cathy Renn and Ray Gronberg. (H-V Chamber photo)

Supervisors and guests were in attendance to celebrate the achievements of the graduates.

Jason Varner and Pastor Joel Beckham shared reflections regarding the program on behalf of the class. Varner said, “Henderson and Vance County is a great place to live.” He challenged his classmates to use their leadership experience to make Henderson and Vance County an even better place.

Joel Beckham stated, “I have been inspired.” Beckham encouraged the group to take what they have experienced and make a difference in the community.

McKinley Perkinson shared the class project which was a battery collection for smoke detectors to assist the Fire Department in their Smoke Detector initiative.

Chief Steve Cordell and Captain Lee Edmonds of the Henderson Fire Department were present to receive the donations and shared their gratitude to the group for taking on the initiative. The group collected over 350 9 volt batteries to support the battery replacement program for smoke detectors.

H-V Chamber Logo

Calling All Emerging Community Leaders: Time to Apply for Leadership Vance 2019

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-Information courtesy Sandra Wilkerson, Director of Admin and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

It’s time to apply for Leadership Vance 2019! If you haven’t been through the Chamber’s Leadership-Vance program, you don’t want to miss the 2019 session.

Leadership Vance is a proven, structured program, designed to create a corps of informed and dedicated emerging leaders in our community. Upon graduation, program participants will be qualified to meet the present and future challenges facing Henderson and Vance County.

Leadership Vance will inform, challenge and educate participants on the opportunities and needs of the community. Participants will strengthen their leadership skills while learning about the social, economic, and political dynamics that shape our community.

Leadership Vance will encourage development of interpersonal relationships among the participants and establish an ongoing resource network.

The intensive training and exposure to all aspects of the community will provide participants with the historical background and the skills necessary for volunteer civic and community positions. It will also benefit participants in their business and career goals.

Individuals who live or work in Vance County are invited to apply. A maximum of 25 participants will be chosen by the Leadership Vance Selection Committee and will be selected to represent all backgrounds, occupations and geographic areas of Vance County.

To receive maximum benefit from Leadership Vance, it is essential that participants and their employers be willing to commit the time necessary for successful completion of the program. A participant is expected to attend all sessions, barring extreme emergencies. A maximum of two excused absences are permitted in order to graduate from the Leadership Vance program. All participants are expected to plan and participate as a team in a community service project.

Program cost is $350 for Chamber members and $425 for non-Chamber members. The tuition fee includes all course materials, meals, retreat expenses, travel, graduation banquet and diploma.

All participants should submit a completed application to the Chamber office no later than Monday, January 7, 2019. Notifications will be made by Friday, January 18, 2019.

For more information, contact Sandra Wilkerson at (252) 438-8414 or by email at sandra@hendersonvance.org.

Seventh Annual Business Summit Serving Up ‘Recipe For Success’

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— courtesy of Vance Granville Community College

The seventh annual Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Summit will offer the “Recipe for Success” for aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners and non-profit leaders, among others, on Monday, Oct. 15. “Making Your Dreams a Reality” is the theme for this year’s event being held in the Warren County Armory and Convention Center.

Duke Energy is the presenting sponsor for the summit. Local partners helping the VGCC Small Business Center to organize the event are the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.

Business representatives and interested members of the community are invited to attend the summit, which is being held from 5 to 8:15 p.m. at the center on 501 US Highway 158 Business East in Warrenton. Registration is now open at https://tinyurl.com/sbcsummit.

The event, including dinner, is free to the first 50 people who register. Prizes will also be awarded.

Martin Brossman, a leading authority on social media and online marketing, is the keynote speaker for the summit. He will explore the topic of “What is Your Digital First Impression Online (and why it is important!).”

(Photo courtesy VGCC Small Business Center and Martin Brossman) — Martin Brossman will provide the keynote address for the seventh annual VGCC Small Business Summit on Monday, Oct. 15, at the Warren County Armory and Convention Center. Brossman is identified as a leading authority on social media and online marketing.

“Your future customers want to know more about you than just what is on your website, and they may trust you less if they don’t,” said Brossman. “We all are looking for secondary validation for everything from credible information for a product, business, person or service. This session is going to show you the free and low-cost ways to make the best digital (web-based) first impression that will lead to more sales and more referrals for your business.”

Brossman, who is a business coach, consultant and dynamic trainer, is known for his insight and humor. A member of the National Speakers Bureau, he teaches at North Carolina community college Small Business Centers across the state in addition to the Social Media Management Certificate program at North Carolina State University. Pici & Pici, Inc. will help you to become a powerful speaker and ignite your team.

Other topics to be covered at the summit include “Stock Your Pantry with the Right Business Resources” and “Top 10 Tips on How to Work with Media.” Tabletop Media Group’s founder Kristen Baughman will lead the media presentation, covering how your brand can help your small business gain more exposure by pitching and engaging with bloggers, media, Instagram stars and more.

Additional sponsors of the summit include the Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer, The Daily Dispatch, The Warren Record, WARR 1520 AM, and WIZS 1450 AM/100.1 FM.

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

(Vance Granville Community College is a paying advertising partner of WIZS, and WIZS also partners with other organizations listed in this news release from VGCC.  WIZS is also sponsoring this event.  This story, however, is not a paid advertisement.)

Daily Dispatch & H-V Chamber Seeking ’10 Under 40′ Nominations

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-Information courtesy Sandra C. Wilkerson, Director of Administration and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

Do you know someone under the age of 40 making a difference in the Henderson-Vance County community? The Daily Dispatch and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce are seeking nominations to identify our community’s young, emerging leaders in politics, business, nonprofit, and the faith community.

To nominate someone, go to https://bit.ly/10under40form. You can also pick up forms at either the Chamber office at 414 S. Garnett Street, Henderson or at The Daily Dispatch at 304 S. Chestnut Street, Henderson.

Deadline to submit nominations is August 10, 2018

Check out the video on the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Facebook page where Chamber President John Barnes and The Dispatch Publisher Nancy Wykle talk about why it’s important to identify the people under the age of 40 who are helping move our community forward.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

H-V Chamber Logo

H-V Chamber Seeking Donations for New Teacher Welcome Bags

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-Information courtesy Sandra C. Wilkerson, Director of Administration and Events, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce

The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is preparing to welcome new teachers to the Vance County area on Tuesday, August 14, 2018. The schools include all Vance County Public Schools, Henderson Collegiate, Crossroads Christian School, Kerr-Vance Academy, and Vance Charter School.

We are looking for donations from local business owners to pack into bags for these teachers. We have approximately 210 new teachers that we will be welcoming to the area.

If your business would be able to donate, we would greatly appreciate it. Donations are being accepted now until Tuesday, August 7.

Thank you for your generous donations and for being a part of this special project.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Vance County Logo

Vance Co. Announces Development of 85 Acres at Henderson-Vance Industrial Park

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-Press Release, County of Vance

Vance County is pleased to announce that the North Carolina Department of Commerce has approved and the county has received a $2.45 million grant from the Rural ReadySites program for development of phase III of the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. The NC Rural ReadySites grant program helps local communities prepare potential industrial sites for development and provided a total of $14.3 million to a total of 10 North Carolina localities. Vance County’s successful grant will cover development costs to include construction of a new roadway and extension of water and sewer infrastructure through the site. The Kerr-Tar Council of Governments was instrumental in preparing and submitting the grant application.

Vance County Board of Commissioner Chairman and Henderson-Vance Economic Development Chairman Tommy Hester recognized this as a huge step forward for the county. “Receiving this grant puts Henderson and Vance County ahead of our neighbors and puts us in a position where we will have more available assets to attract businesses, industries and jobs. If you look at where economic development is coming from and expanding, it’s obvious with the companies that have expanded recently in the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. This grant will allow for the necessary infrastructure to be put in place, and unlike surrounding areas, this park has access to rail and natural gas, is adjacent to US 1, is within five miles of I-85 and 25 miles from Wake County. Our number one priority is jobs and this grant moves us in that direction.”

The county entered a purchase contract in April for approximately 85 acres located at the intersection of US 1 and Bearpond Road directly adjacent to the existing Henderson-Vance Industrial Park. The county also has a program underway wherein it’ll make effective use of drone technology (you can learn more about them on Let’s Fly Wisely) to efficaciously attract home buyers. According to County Manager Jordan McMillen, the county has begun due diligence on the land and anticipates completing this in the next few weeks. At that point, the board of commissioners will determine whether to proceed forward with the purchase. The successful grant is a game changer for the area and positions the county not only to own and control a prime piece of real estate, but also to develop raw land to a shovel-ready status. The Henderson-Vance Industrial Park began in 1988 with the purchase of Phase 1 (150 acres) and since that time has been filled with nine businesses contributing approximately 600 jobs and a total value over $62 million. The park alone generates over $5.5 million in tax revenue to the county on an annual basis.

Henderson-Vance Economic Development Director, Dennis Jarvis, II characterized the grant as a big win for the community. “The grant award ensures Vance County is going to be competitive in the region, the state, and the Southeast for new investment and retention projects. We will have a shovel-ready world-class business facility and a new platform to market the community in the global playing field.”

Dennis Jarvis

Economic Development Partnership of NC Manufacturers Event

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Shown in the cover photo is Dennis Jarvis, II.  He is the director of the Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission.

In an email to the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce, which was subsequently forwarded to WIZS News, Jarvis explained that The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is hosting an event for NC manufacturers to learn how state resources can help their business grow.

“Topics include workforce development, customized training, business management, engineering-based improvement, export assistance, and sustainable business practices,” he wrote.

The event will take place Tuesday, June 19 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center from 9 a.m. until noon.

To register, contact:
Joyce Spivey
919.447.7785
Joyce.Spivey@edpnc.com

For more information about the event, contact:

Harry Swendsen
Regional Industry Manager
919.703.5369
Harry.Swendsen@edpnc.com

Economic Development Update 05/09/18

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Dept. of Social Services Update 04/18/18

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Dennis Jarvis

Economic Development Director Speaks at West End Community Watch

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Click here to listen to the 4-18-18 edition of TownTalk, which featured Dennis Jarvis, II, the Director of the Henderson-Vance Economic Development Commission. He began this position on November 6th, 2017.

In addition, the following was submitted by Claire Catherwood of the West End Community Watch, which met Tuesday, April 17th, at which Jarvis spoke.

Jarvis noted that our area is on the edge of the fastest growing area in the southeastern United States. Changes are coming. While there are stumbling blocks in the way of Vance County’s growth, we do have many great qualities to offer. Our problems are the same as those that exist everywhere, on a national level. Realistically, it is expected to take 10-12 years for many of the plans made now to take hold in our area.

Broadband is currently being tested. Within 2 years, it is predicted that residents will have choices besides the traditional providers now in place.

The sale of Carolina Country Snacks to Wise Foods does not mean we will lose the company. The family connection remains and the company is not moving the operation.