H/V Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting for MARS Petcare Expansion
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for Mars Petcare US as they celebrated a $21M investment at an event on September 8th at the Henderson facility. Mars Petcare, one of the world’s leading pet care providers, is expanding support for its existing facility in Henderson, which currently produces IAMS® and EUKANUBA® brand pet foods. Improvements planned for the facility will give the company increased flexibility to respond to consumer demand by producing more dog and cat food, as well as to ensure the site has the highest food safety standards for products made at the site.
The Mars Petcare investment in Henderson includes a significant renovation to the facility, which is underway and expected to be complete in mid-November. A number of upgrades are planned to increase productivity and quality, including an upgrade on the mill, new coating systems and two new baggers for the pet food manufactured here. The site, originally operated by Proctor & Gamble, was acquired by Mars Petcare as part of its acquisition of Proctor & Gamble’s pet food portfolio in August 2014.
“This investment from Mars Petcare sends a very strong message that the company values our community,” said Paco Tello, plant manager for the Henderson site. The Henderson investment is the latest in a series of significant economic investments Mars Petcare has made in local communities.
Mars Petcare continues be a global leader in food and quality safety by giving back to the communities where it operates. Locally, Mars Petcare has donated food and dog beds to area animal shelters and other organizations.
For more information on Mars Petcare, please visit www.mars.com.
H/V Chamber Celebrates Opening of new Flowers Baking Company Location
On Thursday, September 1st, Flowers Baking Company held a ribbon cutting celebration at its new location on 875 S. Beckford Drive in Henderson. With the help of representatives from the Flowers Baking Company, Vice President of Sales, Tony Ufland, officially cut the ribbon and welcomed attendees with a bag full of bread and sweet rolls.
Their company thrives on providing the freshest and best quality product in the marketplace. They pick up their product early in the marketplace, and replace it with fresh product. This product is still good, it just has a reduced shelf life. Their Bakery Outlet provides a place for their company to recover some of this cost and provides the community with discounted product. The facility also provides an office space and warehouse that their independent distributors use to distribute their product. The brands they represent are Nature’s Own, Wonder, Merita, Cobblestone Bread Company, Sunbeam, and Tastykake.
Hours of operation are 9AM – 6PM Monday-Friday, 9AM-4:30PM Saturday and Closed on Sunday.
This new location will be hosting a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, September 17 from 11AM – 1PM. For customers that stop in and enjoy a hot dog and chips on their visit will receive 10@ off everything in the store.
Norfolk Wire and Electronics chooses Vance County for Expansion
The Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission is pleased to announce that Norfolk Wire and Electronics has selected Vance County to open their expansion operation. The company is a full-service stocking /distributor of Datacom and Security products. The company’s headquarters is in Richmond, VA and they will now have a total of twelve locations with this new location in Vance County, NC. They expect to begin operation around October 1st starting with about 6 full-time employees.
The company will be co-locating at 880 Facet Road which also houses LumenFocus. This is the former Philips Optima facility.
Grants Available for Downtown Businesses through Henderson-Vance DDC
The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission has an Incentive Package available to new businesses locating in downtown Henderson. The package includes:
Building Incentive Grant, 10% of building upfit, up to $6,000. Restaurants, 15%, up to $6,000.
Façade Incentive Grant, 50% of the cost of façade improvements, up to $2,500.
Signage Incentive Grant, 25% of the cost of new signage, up to $1,500.
Full-Time Employee Grant, $500 for each fulltime employee who has worked for 6 months.
Permitting Grant, for required City of Henderson permits.
Existing Businesses are eligible for the Façade Incentive Grant and the Signage Incentive Grant.
Grant applications are available at the HVDDC’s website, hendersonncdowntown.com. For more information email us at info @hendersonncdowntown.com or call 252-820-9785.
Come Grow with Us in Historic Downtown Henderson
Thirteen Graduate from Leadership Vance 2016
Thirteen business leaders graduated Tuesday, August 2nd from the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program during its 27th annual graduation at the Henderson Country Club. Since the program began 27 years ago, over 300 people have graduated from the program, which is designed to enhance community leadership by offering participants knowledge and awareness of opportunities and issues facing Vance County. The program provides a series of educational and participatory experiences as well as opportunities for dialogue and relationship building. Topics covered include education, human services, local and state government, healthcare, public safety, business, history, team building, and leadership lessons. The purpose of the program is to identify, educate, challenge and honor a select group of Vance County citizens who have demonstrated an aptitude for leadership.
Henderson-Vance Chamber President John Barnes and Chamber Membership Director Annette Roberson were on hand to congratulate the leadership graduates. Barnes on behalf of the Chamber’s Board and staff welcomed and congratulated the participants on completing the program. Roberson commended the graduates for enriching their awareness of Henderson and Vance County’s community and business resources. She encouraged each of the participants to take the next step and get involved, taking an active leadership role, in the community and to stay in touch with each other.
From the first meeting to the Graduation Ceremony, students are informed, engaged and encouraged to make a difference in their own personal, individual way. We visit organizations and institutions during the five-months, challenging participants to listen, learn, teach, think and do with an expanded, broader vision of the paths to take to move our community forward and to better the quality of life for all its citizens.
“We are proud that our Leadership Vance Program provides opportunities for those in our business community to cultivate and enhance their leadership skills and abilities. Equally important, the program gives participants a unique perspective to the many aspects of our community and encourages service to the community beyond work obligations,” said Membership and Program Director, Annette Roberson.
For more information about Leadership Vance, please contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce at 252-438-8414.
MGM Products has selected Vance County for their expansion location
The Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Commission (EDC) is pleased to announce that MGM Products Inc. located in Conyers, Georgia has decided to locate in the Henderson-Vance County Industrial Park as their second manufacturing facility in the United States. They have signed a five-year lease of 1020 Commerce Drive.
The company, which is a sheet metal fabricator, produces products that ensure the stability of HVAC equipment that is fastened to the roof tops of buildings. They will initially employ some ten individuals and anticipate doubling that within one year.
MGM will be holding a Job Fair in conjunction with NCWORKS at the NCWORKS office at 857 South Beckford Drive on September 7th.
Matthew Jenkins, Operations Manager for MGM Products, commented that the company looks forward to starting operations in early Fall of 2016. Jenkins expressed his appreciation to Thilo Hessler (owner of the property), the EDC as well as Job Corps, Workforce Services, and Vance-Granville Community College for their assistance and involvement in the project.
(The preceding was a press release from the office of Stuart Litvin)
H/V Chamber to Hold Final Meet Me in the Street of 2016 Next Thursday
Steve Owens and Summertime is making a return engagement to the last of our three Meet Me in the Streets. The sounds of summer will certainly be in the downtown area on Thursday, August 25th as we wrap up our summer concert series. It’s truly a destination for friends and co-workers to gather, unwind and network while enjoying great live music in a casual atmosphere. The music will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will run through 8:30 that evening.
Steve Owens and Summertime will be playing a unique blend of Carolina Beach, Southern Soul, and Rock-N-Roll. The band is made up of some of the finest vocalist and musicians in the southeast. Steve Owens and Summertime sets the mark at each performance with their High Energy and passion to entertain.
Mark your calendars. Come on out and join the Chamber and this awesome band as they play all the songs that you love to hear. Its free entertainment for your enjoyment along Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson.
This free outdoor concert is made available by Presenting sponsors, Charles Boyd Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC, PRIM Development and Residential Rentals, and Toyota of Henderson; Gold sponsors, Duke Energy, Maria Parham Medical Center, and Waste Industries; Silver sponsors, BB&T, CenturyLink, Mars Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation, Walmart DC 6091, and Wake Electric Membership Corporation; Bronze sponsors, AA Self Storage, Document Systems Inc., Express Employment and Satterwhite Marina; Contributor sponsors are Franklin Brothers Nursery, KARTS, Kerr Lake Cornhole and Vinyl Graphics, Sam’s Club, Servpro, Sheetz, and Woodforest National Bank . Food sponsors are Chic-fil-A and Farmer Johns Ice Cream. Media sponsors are WIZS 1450 AM, The Daily Dispatch, and WLUS 98.3 FM.
KARTS will also be on hand to provide free transportation after the concert for individuals who needed assistance home.
For more information, please contact the Henderson-Vance Chamber at 252-438-8414.
H/V Chamber Holds Ribbon Cutting for Michael’s Florist
Hendersonians take note: you now have a new local florist option!
On Friday, August 12, Michael’s Florist held a ribbon cutting celebration with the help of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and representatives from the business community. Michael’s Florist manager Michael Puckett, officially cut the ribbon and welcomed chamber members, Henderson officials, and area businesses.
The community was invited to come out and show their support, and learn about this new local business. Michael’s Florist is a full service florist, offering fresh and silk arrangements, wedding & church arrangements, potted plants, gift baskets, balloons and more. Delivery service is available.
The event began at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 12 at their location at 945-G West Andrews Avenue. Their operating hours are Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Wed and Sat from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Michael’s Florist is a proud member of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. Stop in and meet Michael and the staff of this new small business!
To learn more about Michael’s Florist, visit them at their location or please call them at 252-430-7272.