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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Employers, economic developers and workforce development experts from across the region recently met at Vance-Granville Community College to learn more about how to meet the critical need to recruit and train workers. The first-of-its-kind “Business & Industry Connect” Summit was held on Nov. 1 in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus.
Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC, thanked the economic development commission directors in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties for their vision and support of the summit. Along with those agencies, Glen Raven/Sunbrella of Norlina and Mars Petcare of Henderson also served as event sponsors.
Gene Lunger addresses attendees at the VGCC Business & Industry Connect Summit in the college’s Civic Center. (VGCC photo)
The keynote speaker was Gene Lunger, Executive Vice President of Retail Operations for Ashley Furniture Industries, which is the world’s largest furniture manufacturer, in addition to its distribution and retail operations known as Ashley HomeStores.
Lunger argued that businesses must be proactive in focusing on their future workforce. “You have to find solutions to find good people for your organization because it’s not up to anyone else,” he said. “We must help move more students from backpacks to briefcases – by talking to them about the real world, giving them the language they need to use in the professional world and giving them good career information to make up for the bad information they’re getting.”
For example, Lunger advised employers to frequently attend career fairs in order “to meet people, not just resumes.” He said that 90% of their time at a career fair is not recruiting, but is actually career coaching. “Hire based on the attributes of your best performers, not just on a GPA,” Lunger said. “You’re not hiring the person they are today, but the person they will be years from now.” He also urged more investment in people, because “they are the only resource in your business that appreciates in value over time.”
“I’m very grateful to have addressed local businesses and the academic team at VGCC,” Lunger reflected. “There is no doubt in my mind that these two entities can establish a win-win partnership, paving the road for students to effectively transition into the workplace.”
Ken Wilson of VGCC (right) introduces a panel discussion on apprenticeship opportunities. Seated, from left, on stage are Theresa Zook of Mars Petcare, Todd Wemyss of Glen Raven/Sunbrella, Michael Kendrick of Newcomb & Company, Tony Marshall of Innovative Systems Group (ISG) and Kathryn Castelloes of ApprenticeshipNC. (VGCC photo)
After Lunger’s presentation, a panel discussion focused on the topic of apprenticeships, with Kathryn Castelloes, director of ApprenticeshipNC at the N.C. Community College System, moderating. Panelists included Tony Marshall of Innovative Systems Group (ISG), Theresa Zook of Mars Petcare, Michael Kendrick of Newcomb & Company and Todd Wemyss of Glen Raven/Sunbrella.
Marshall said he has seen promising results from his company’s apprenticeship program, focused on cybersecurity. “Nationally, there are going to be about a million unfilled cybersecurity jobs next year,” Marshall noted. “It’s hard to find people with the right skills, so you should find people with the right attitude and then give them the right skills through apprenticeship. The reward is great, both for the company and for the individual apprentice.”
Zook noted that her company works with the community college on apprenticeships. “VGCC has made it so easy for us,” she said.
“It’s very exciting to see the interest in Registered Apprenticeship and the employers that are coming forward to utilize the benefits that it brings,” Castelloes said. “We at ApprenticeshipNC are here to help employers find and train the workers that they need so that they can grow as a company and the state can grow economically.”
Following the discussion, breakout sessions focused on sustainable training, more details on apprenticeships, and workforce development partnerships with public schools. College officials are seeking to foster greater collaboration among numerous partners to reduce duplication, leverage resources and achieve significant workforce impact for the communities it serves.
“The summit was a great opportunity for business and industry to get together, network and find out about K-12 efforts, hiring, apprenticeships and training,” said Ken Wilson, the project manager for VGCC’s TechHire grant and coordinator of the summit. “In the next phases, we are looking for business and industry representatives willing to help steer the Business and Industry Connect initiative to address factors that impact the employee pipeline.”
For more information, contact Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3259.
Shop Small, Shop Local on Small Business Saturday – Nov. 30
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Granville County Chamber of Commerce
The Granville County Chamber of Commerce announces its support and recognition of Small Business Saturday on November 30, 2019, to support small, local, independent businesses in Granville County, NC.
Small Business Saturday® was founded by American Express in 2010 to celebrate the small businesses that help support your neighborhood and is held every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Now in its 10th 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 encourages consumers to take part in Small Business Saturday® by supporting small, local businesses. Continuing our five-year tradition, shopping bags with promotional items will be available at the Chamber’s Annual Thanksgiving Breakfast on Wednesday, November 27 at Oxford Baptist Church.
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.
Small business owners can learn more about taking part in Small Business Saturday and download free marketing materials at www.shopsmall.com. Consumers can also visit the site to find small merchants to shop at on Small Business Saturday.
If your business has coupons, small items, special sale flyers, etc. you would like to include in the 200 Shop Small shopping bags to be given out at the Chamber’s Thanksgiving Breakfast on November 27, bring them to a Chamber Office by the end of the day on Monday, November 18. For the South Office, items may also be brought to the Nationwide Office next to the South Office. The bags will be prepared by our Chamber Ambassadors at their 8 a.m. meeting on Tuesday, November 19.
Oxford’s Christmas Parade, Lighting of the Greens Set for Dec. 6
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation
A magical night is planned on Friday, December 6, 2019, for the 14th Annual Lighting of the Greens and Christmas Parade sponsored by Downtown Oxford Economic Development Corporation (DOEDC), the City of Oxford and partner Granville Health System. Events are scheduled from 4 until 9 p.m. in downtown Oxford.
The Christmas parade will take place rain, snow or shine, so please plan accordingly.
Event Schedule:
4 – 6:30 p.m. – Vendor Market opens
5:30 p.m. – Line up begins for parade participants
6:30- 6:45 p.m. – Welcome and opening comments
6:45 – 6:50 p.m. – Lighting of the Greens
7 p.m. – Parade starts
The parade will start from Belle Street, travel down Williamsboro Street, then Hillsboro Street, and end by taking a right on McClanahan Street to the Public Works Parking lot. Please note that there will be no parking in the Public Works parking lot (127 Penn Avenue) on the evening of the event.
Those interested in participating in the parade should mail in an entry form (click here) and payment by Friday, November 15, 2019, to City Hall, Attn. Christmas Parade, 300 Williamsboro Street, Oxford, NC 27587. Space is limited to 85 parade entries on a first-come-first-served basis.
With questions, call Christine Luscavich 561-312-9276 or Mary Yount at 919-603-1164. For additional information on the parade and Lighting of the Greens, including cost, float requirements and drop off/unloading instructions, please click here.
VGCC Brings Partners Together for Summit on Talent Pipeline
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College
Employers, economic developers and workforce development experts from across the region recently met at Vance-Granville Community College to learn more about how to meet the critical need to recruit and train workers. The first-of-its-kind “Business & Industry Connect” Summit was held on Nov. 1 in the Civic Center on VGCC’s Main Campus.
Dr. Rachel Desmarais, president of VGCC, thanked the economic development commission directors in Vance, Granville, Franklin and Warren counties for their vision and support of the summit. Along with those agencies, Glen Raven/Sunbrella of Norlina and Mars Petcare of Henderson also served as event sponsors.
Gene Lunger addresses attendees at the VGCC Business & Industry Connect Summit in the college’s Civic Center. (VGCC photo)
The keynote speaker was Gene Lunger, Executive Vice President of Retail Operations for Ashley Furniture Industries, which is the world’s largest furniture manufacturer, in addition to its distribution and retail operations known as Ashley HomeStores.
Lunger argued that businesses must be proactive in focusing on their future workforce. “You have to find solutions to find good people for your organization because it’s not up to anyone else,” he said. “We must help move more students from backpacks to briefcases – by talking to them about the real world, giving them the language they need to use in the professional world and giving them good career information to make up for the bad information they’re getting.”
For example, Lunger advised employers to frequently attend career fairs in order “to meet people, not just resumes.” He said that 90% of their time at a career fair is not recruiting, but is actually career coaching. “Hire based on the attributes of your best performers, not just on a GPA,” Lunger said. “You’re not hiring the person they are today, but the person they will be years from now.” He also urged more investment in people, because “they are the only resource in your business that appreciates in value over time.”
“I’m very grateful to have addressed local businesses and the academic team at VGCC,” Lunger reflected. “There is no doubt in my mind that these two entities can establish a win-win partnership, paving the road for students to effectively transition into the workplace.”
Ken Wilson of VGCC (right) introduces a panel discussion on apprenticeship opportunities. Seated, from left, on stage are Theresa Zook of Mars Petcare, Todd Wemyss of Glen Raven/Sunbrella, Michael Kendrick of Newcomb & Company, Tony Marshall of Innovative Systems Group (ISG) and Kathryn Castelloes of ApprenticeshipNC. (VGCC photo)
After Lunger’s presentation, a panel discussion focused on the topic of apprenticeships, with Kathryn Castelloes, director of ApprenticeshipNC at the N.C. Community College System, moderating. Panelists included Tony Marshall of Innovative Systems Group (ISG), Theresa Zook of Mars Petcare, Michael Kendrick of Newcomb & Company and Todd Wemyss of Glen Raven/Sunbrella.
Marshall said he has seen promising results from his company’s apprenticeship program, focused on cybersecurity. “Nationally, there are going to be about a million unfilled cybersecurity jobs next year,” Marshall noted. “It’s hard to find people with the right skills, so you should find people with the right attitude and then give them the right skills through apprenticeship. The reward is great, both for the company and for the individual apprentice.”
Zook noted that her company works with the community college on apprenticeships. “VGCC has made it so easy for us,” she said.
“It’s very exciting to see the interest in Registered Apprenticeship and the employers that are coming forward to utilize the benefits that it brings,” Castelloes said. “We at ApprenticeshipNC are here to help employers find and train the workers that they need so that they can grow as a company and the state can grow economically.”
Following the discussion, breakout sessions focused on sustainable training, more details on apprenticeships, and workforce development partnerships with public schools. College officials are seeking to foster greater collaboration among numerous partners to reduce duplication, leverage resources and achieve significant workforce impact for the communities it serves.
“The summit was a great opportunity for business and industry to get together, network and find out about K-12 efforts, hiring, apprenticeships and training,” said Ken Wilson, the project manager for VGCC’s TechHire grant and coordinator of the summit. “In the next phases, we are looking for business and industry representatives willing to help steer the Business and Industry Connect initiative to address factors that impact the employee pipeline.”
For more information, contact Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3259.
H-V Chamber to Participate in Festival of Trees; Business Ornaments Needed
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Message from the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce:
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the Festival of Trees, which will be held at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market December 3 – 7, 2019. All proceeds will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Vance County.
The Chamber’s Christmas Tree theme is “Our Members Sparkle.” We want to load our tree with ornaments that represent all of our members, so we need your help.
We want Christmas ornaments that represent your business. The ornaments can be professional ones or you can be creative and make one (we all love homemade ornaments). The ornaments should identify your company name or the product(s) that you sell.
Ornaments are needed by Friday, November 22 and can be dropped off at the Chamber office or picked up.
BE CREATIVE! This is a great marketing opportunity to make your business sparkle! Don’t forget to attend the Festival of Trees for a festive time.
Superheroes for Duke Kids to Hold 220 Fundraiser, Toy Donation
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Shirley Loftis, Superheroes for Duke Kids
Superheroes for Duke Kids will hold a fundraiser at 220 seafood Restaurant in Henderson on Monday, December 2, 2019, from 4 until 7 p.m.
Cost is $7 per plate and meal includes trout, french fries, slaw and hush puppies (drink included for eat-in meals only).
Funds raised will purchase toys for kids in Duke Hospital. Toy donations will also be accepted the night of the fundraiser.
For a toy wish list sorted by age range, please visit Superheroes for Duke Kids’ Facebook page (click here).
Commissioners to Hear From Public on Possible Internet Sweepstakes Moratorium
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
The City of Oxford Board of Commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Commissioners’ Board Room, City Hall in Oxford.
Agenda items include:
Public Hearing to receive citizen input on the request from the UDO Committee asking for consideration of placing a moratorium on any new internet sweepstakes establishments.
Consider adopting an ordinance placing a 60-day moratorium on any new internet sweepstakes establishments in the B-2 (highway business) and B-3 (general business) zoning districts.
Consider approving the 2020 Board of Commissioner Meeting dates.
Disposition of City Property – the City of Oxford has a 1989 Grumman Fire Truck that needs to be disposed of either by sale or donation. The City put out a notice to garner interest in the fire truck and received several letters of interest. The Public Safety Committee recommended donating the Fire Truck to another Fire Department that is in need.
Please click here for the full meeting agenda.
Town Talk 11/08/19
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
News 11/08/19
/by Larry100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Town Talk 11/07/19: Demolition Begins on Maria Parham’s New $3.2 Million Cath Lab
/by Kelly Bondurant100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
Maria Parham Health CEO Bert Beard and Dr. Sydney Short, cardiologist with Maria Parham Cardiology, were the guests of honor on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.
Beard said he was pleased to announce that demolition has begun on the area that will serve as the hospital’s new catheterization (cath) lab. With a price tag of $3.2 million, the new lab will occupy currently unused space in the building and will be located off of the emergency room, directly adjacent to the helipad.
Work on the lab is expected to be completed in June or July 2020 with a grand opening to follow.
Short, who joined Maria Parham in January, said the current cath lab has grown exponentially as far as services provided in the past year.
“I’m very excited to be a part of the program here now,” Short said. “We are raising the level of care quite a bit. The cath lab has been here a few years, and in May 2019 we started doing PCIs.”
A PCI, or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, is a non-surgical procedure that uses a catheter to place a stent in the heart in order to open up blood vessels that have been narrowed by plaque buildup. Complications of plaque buildup include chest pain, heart arrhythmias and heart failure.
Previously, MPH patients would have been referred to another hospital for such a procedure. “Now, patients that come in with chest pain can have a heart catheterization study done here and have a stent placed safely here,” said Short.
In addition to PCIs, Maria Parham Cardiology has increased its offering of other services including stress tests, echocardiograms, heart monitoring – including longer-term loop monitoring – and pacemaker implantation.
“The level of services has increased significantly, so we are able to do a lot of things to treat patients here who in the past would have been transferred,” Short explained.
Beard said continued expansion of both the quality and the quantity of health services offered in the local, rural community is the commitment of Maria Parham and Duke LifePoint Healthcare.
According to Beard, another example of this commitment will be realized at the end of January 2020 when Duke will station a life flight helicopter and crew at MPH 24/7. Two additional ambulances will also be stationed as part of the hospital’s designation as a strategic transport center.
“We are 100% committed to offering services that we know we can confidently provide to the patients at a high-quality level,” said Beard. “The additional services being offered should tell the community that you have access to quality care right here.”
To hear the interview with Beard and Short in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.
Granville’s Veterans Parade to Honor Military Personnel & Families
/by WIZS Staff100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm
-Information courtesy Oxford NC, Historic Downtown
The Annual Granville County Veterans Parade honors all those who have or are currently serving in the military and their families. Please come out and show your support on Sunday, November 10, 2019, in Downtown Oxford.
The parade starts at 3 p.m. and will leave from Belle Street, take a left onto Williamsboro Street, a right onto College Street and then right onto McClanahan Street ending in front of the Oxford Fire Station.
Bring your flags and support your veterans!