Tag Archive for: #granvillechamber

Granville Chamber Sponsors Student Spotlight

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce Education Committee invites Chamber members to nominate local high school students for the Student Spotlight.

Students with an affiliation to a Chamber member business – through employment, internship or as a volunteer – are eligible, according to information from Chamber Executive Director Cynthia Ratliff. The students must be a resident of Granville County or attend one of the following high schools: Granville Central High School; J.F. Webb High School; South Granville High School; Oxford Preparatory School; Falls Lake Academy; Granville Early College; Granville Academy or Phoenix Academy.

Students selected for the Spotlight will be recognized at the Chamber’s annual membership meeting and banquet, scheduled for Mar. 11, 2024. All nominated students may apply for a scholarship the Chamber offers that will be awarded in June 2024.

Nominations should be based on attendance, work ethic and character. To access the nomination form, click here.

For more information, contact Ratliff at the Chamber office at 919.693.6125 or cynthia@granville-chamber.com.

Cynthia Ratliff Takes The Reins At Granville Chamber Of Commerce

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Cynthia Ratliff has been named executive director of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, effective Tuesday, Aug. 1.

Ratliff, a Henderson native, was chosen to replace Lauren Roberson, who announced her resignation in late June to join Granville Health System. Thursday was Roberson’s last day with the Chamber. Ratliff has served as office manager for the Chamber; a search will begin soon to fill that position.

“Cynthia Ratliff has been a valuable asset to the Granville County Chamber of Commerce and has become the “face of the Chamber” over the past two years,” said Ruth Ann Bullock, president-elect of the Chamber board. Bullock said Ratliff and Roberson worked closely together and have grown the Chamber membership and strengthened Chamber ties across the county.

“The connection between Cynthia and Lauren combined with the positive direction in which they have moved our Chamber, placed us in the best position when searching for the next leader of this great organization,” remarked current Chamber board president Reba Bullock. Bullock noted Ratliff’s considerable knowledge and skills gained from previous positions she has held, including director of membership for the Henderson Family YMCA as well as having been a small business owner. “We look forward to the continued expertise, vision and leadership Cynthia will bring into this role,” Reba Bullock added.

The Chamber board issued a joint statement thanking Roberson for her dedication to the organization. “She came in and never looked back as she devoted her time and efforts in moving the Granville County Chamber of Commerce to exponential growth in membership and overall vision throughout the Chamber organization,”the statement read in part.

The office manager supports the executive director and manages day-to-day operations of the Chamber. The ideal candidate should have skills of fiscal management and be proficient in Microsoft Office, QuickBooks and social media platforms. The candidate should have experience with event planning and organization, be self-motivated with excellent time management and have excellent communication skills. Interested candidates can submit their resume to cynthia@granville-chamber.com.

Area Chambers Name Winners Of 2022 Small Business Of The Year At May 3 Luncheon

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Four local Chambers of Commerce announced the 2022 Small Business of the Year winners at a luncheon in Henderson Wednesday.

Vance County Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson presented Kilian Engineering with the award. What Michael Kilian began in 2001 with one employee has grown to five offices in Henderson and surrounding areas, Wilkerson said.

The firm is very interested in establishing local partnerships – from the new men’s shelter in Henderson to internships for local high school students.

“They do what they do because they want to do the right thing,” Wilkerson noted. Other groups the firm has sponsored include Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and a recycling program, the proceeds of which are donated to McGregor Hall.

Rhonda Wells accepted the award on behalf of Kilian Engineering.

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Photo L-R: Sandra Wilkerson, H-V Chamber President; Bobby Pegram; Rhonda Wells; Janelle Kilian; Shade Bolling; Bert Long, H-V Chamber Board Chair

In Granville County, Next Door Radio was named 2022 Small Business of the Year. Lauren Roberson, director of the Granville Chamber, called Trey Snide to the podium to accept the award.

“Trey is a pure asset to our community,” Roberson told the group of about 35 at the event. Snide and Next Door Radio give the community a platform to express ideas, opinions and more. “He’s one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet,” Roberson added.

Franklin Chamber Executive Director Richie Veverka presented his award to the Youngsville ABC Store. Veverka said the store, which opened in 1971, has consistently given back to the community. In fact, he estimated that their giving back to various organizations across Franklin County has totaled more than $5.6 million.

Bridget Stanley, general manager, accepted the award. The new location opened at Youngsville Crossing on Capital Boulevard in 2021.

Person County’s Small Business of the Year is 1792 Beer Co., a bottle shop that strives to welcome its customers, whether they come to grab a beer at the bar or choose from the wide variety of beers, ciders and other beverages for purchase. In her remarks, Roxboro Area Chamber Executive Director Samantha Bagbey said owner Kyle James and his partner opened the business in 2019 – just in time to be told they had to shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now they’re thriving and really are staples of our community,” Bagbey said. The business is located at 106 N. Main St. in Roxboro.

Community Resource Festival

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By all accounts, Thursday’s Community Resource Festival at the Vance-Granville Civic Center was a success as hundreds of participants visited more than 60 vendors to learn about services they provide and more. For Michelle Walker, this event was the culmination of months of planning with community partners to help local residents learn about available programs and services that are right here for the asking.

Walker is the sales and account manager with Huff Consulting. She and other key planning partners invested time and energy into Thursday’s result, and she couldn’t be more pleased.

“As long as I have the opportunity, I’m going to do things like this to help people,” Walker told WIZS as she surveyed the activity around her. Walker and others no doubt have poured their heart and soul into making this festival a success, and Walker could barely hold back tears as she watched community agency representatives interact and connect with individuals from the community.

Huff Consulting is a recruiting firm that works with a wide range of employees – from day laborers to corporate executives, Walker said, adding that her company has recognized the struggles that face many in the community. “Everybody has a need,” Walker said on an earlier TownTalk broadcast to promote the event. And this resource festival is a way to bridge the gap between available resources and the folks who are looking for them.

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Sandra Wilkerson said things got off to a good start in the morning and continued throughout the afternoon.

“We have absolutely packed the house,” Wilkerson told WIZS during the initial hour of the resource festival. During the planning process, she said, she and other organizers had a vision to bring under one roof community resources for the public to come and get information.

Sixty-plus organizations appeared from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – there were representatives from fire and police departments, as well as churches, non-profits and businesses from Vance and Granville counties. The event was free to attend, and more than 150 people were in attendance around 11 a.m., visiting the various information tables located throughout the Civic Center.

The Vance and Granville Chambers of Commerce, along with VGCC and Huff Consulting, teamed up to put on the festival.

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais said she didn’t hesitate when she was approached with the idea for a community resource festival.

“We think of ourselves as a convener and a catalyst,” Desmarais said in an interview during the Thursday event. “The community is serving its constituents – this is how we all get better…and do better.”

This event was just one more way to empower people to care for themselves as they networked with community businesses, non-profits, churches and other resources in the area. “Whatever their goal may be, they’re welcome here. We want (the community) to remember that Vance Granville really does care.”

Granville Vance Public Health – As the name implies, the agency serves the two counties, and Tayshah Josey was on hand to discuss a variety of programs available to residents. From family planning and maternal care to STD and HIV testing, Josey said the health department is here for the community.

Josey said a new program designed to reduce infant mortality will be rolled out in the next few months. Participants who complete a infant safe sleep training will get rewarded with a new crib.

HIV test kits are available at the health department, too. These are home kits and individuals can request two free kits within a 90-day time frame. The STD clinic is available for walk-ins, but appointments also are available.

Family planning clinics use a sliding-scale for payment, Josey added. Visit https://www.gvph.org/ to learn about all the services GVPH provides.

Maria Parham Health – Donna Young, MPH marketing director, was on hand to network and provide information about the hospital, which enjoys high marks from Leapfrog, a national organization that measures patient safety. “We got an A for the Fall of 2022,” Young noted, which means that hospital staff puts patient safety first.

Whether getting care at the Duke-accredited cancer center, heart catheterization lab or any of the other departments, patients can be assured they’ll be taken care of.

Young said she fielded questions on a variety of topics at the resource festival, including inpatient rehab services. Whether you’re speaking to her in person or contact her via email at Donna.Young@lpnt.net, Young said you’ll get the answers you need.

“Every one of those inquiries goes straight to my inbox,” she explained, and she then routes each question to the right person to answer the question.

State Farm – In addition to medical care, a community needs other services as well, including insurance. State Farm Insurance Agency in Henderson provides the full range of insurance services in the area, and local agent Margier White had her sister, Davida Rascoe, with her at the vendor table Thursday.

State Farm is all about helping people when they’re in trouble, Rascoe said. “You need someone who cares,” she said, “who have your concerns at heart.” Her sister does a great job at making sure they cover whatever you need.”

Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame was in attendance, among other area law enforcement agencies.

“This is an awesome opportunity for citizens,” Brame said Thursday morning. Many agencies –  the sheriff’s office among them – also has applications available at the community resource festival.

Granville Health System – Granville Primary Care offers a complete range of services, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and Renita Timberlake said the Butner office offers primary care as well as express care services. A team of 10 providers in the Oxford office also works with businesses to provide services like drug screens for employees and workers’ comp claims.

Gail Barnes-Hall is the director of the Harold Sherman Adult Day Center, which provides respite care for those who care for loved ones with physical or cognitive issues. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m., Barnes-Hall said. Participants get three meals a day and participate in engaging activities, all while giving their caregivers a break from their care-giving duties.

Visit https://ghshospital.org/ to learn more.

HubZone Technology Initiative – Bryan Davis and Mark Williams work with HubZone, whose mission is twofold – refurbishing donated laptops and distributing them to those who need them, which keeps them in use and out of landfills.

“We help bridge the digital divide,” Williams said Thursday morning. The donated laptops have their data wiped before they’re converted to Chromebooks and donated to local nonprofits.

“We serve them so they can help the broader community,” Williams said.

Davis started out with HubZone as a photographer – until they found out he had experience with refurbishing computers himself.

Learn more about HubZone, located at 208 N. Garnett St., at https://www.hubzonetech.org/

Henderson Family YMCA – Tesa Alexander is membership director for the Henderson Family YMCA. The Y, located at 380 Ruin Creek Road, is the only Y in the four-county area, and Alexander said joining fees were waived for anyone who signed up at the resource festival.

“We try to partner with the community and make it a better place,” Alexander said. “We build our community by working with one another.” The Y will sponsor “Healthy Kids Day” Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors, food trucks and more will be on hand at the Y to celebrate the nationwide observance.

Guardian Ad Litem, 9th Judicial District – Samantha Branch is supervisor of the guardian ad litem program for the 9th Judicial District, which includes Vance and Granville counties. April is Child Advocate Month and Branch said her agency is always looking for volunteers to be a voice in the court system for abused and neglected children. “The goal is to get children back with their family unit,” Branch told WIZS. “We gather information and report back to the court (about) what is going to be in the best interest of the child.”

Visit www.volunteerforgal.org to learn more.

 

Rosalyn Green Named 2022 John Penn Citizen Of The Year

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-information courtesy of Lauren Roberson, executive director of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce

A Granville County native who returned home to live was named the 2022 John Penn Citizen of the Year at Monday’s Granville County Chamber of Commerce membership meeting and banquet.

Rosalyn Green was honored as a tireless community volunteer who has invested herself into the community where she grew up. Mark Pace, the 2021 award recipient, presented the award during the event, held at The Barn at Vino in Stem.

This is the 42nd year of the award, given each year to a county citizen who has given his or her time in a volunteer capacity to enhance the quality of life in Granville County, according to a press release from Lauren Roberson, executive director of the Granville Chamber of Commerce.

L-R: Lauren Roberson, Mark Pace, Rosalyn Green, Reba Bullock

It was the 81st anniversary of the annual meeting and banquet, which featured a meal by Strickland Farms Catering and a program that highlighted the Chamber’s work in 2022 and its vision for the year ahead.

Pace is the North Carolina Room Specialist at the Thornton Library in Oxford, kept the winner’s name under wraps as he began his presentation.

“Synonymous-having the same meaning as another word or phrase in the same language,” he stated. “Here are some words and phrases synonymous with the person we acknowledge this evening: mentoring youth, mental health advocate, church service, child advocacy,  Cooperative Extension Service, Leadership Granville, George C. Shaw Museum, Mary Potter, and one near and dear to many–preserver of history.”

Green’s friends and compatriots in her volunteer endeavors, know that she has a heart for service, Pace continued. She serves on many boards in the county and volunteers at countless non-profits  including ACIM, CCM, the Chamber, DOEDC, and the Mary Potter Club, just to name a few.

“It is an honor to know and work with Rosalyn Green. She is one-of-a-kind and Granville County is blessed to have her.”

2023 Chamber President Reba Bullock had encouraging words in her remarks to the group. “Everyone, this is just the beginning of an exciting, productive and successful year within the Granville County Chamber of Commerce. We as a collective body will continue to collaborate with various organizations in our county to maximize services to Chamber members, to be a resource to those who are considering making our county their home for personal and business reasons, and to make Granville County an even better place to live, work and grow successful businesses!”

The Chamber Board of Directors acknowledges the following businesses for sponsoring the event:

Presenting Sponsor:  Spectrum Medical Solutions

Gold Sponsor: Duke Energy

Silver Sponsors: Carolina Sunrock, CertainTeed  and Granville Health System;

Bronze Sponsors: Lewis Electric of Oxford and Wake Electric Membership Corporation

Green joins Pace and previous recipients, listed here in alphabetical order:

C. Adcock, Gary L. Bowman, Dr. Joseph Colson, Hubert L. Cox, Jim Crawford, Johnsie C.  Cunningham, Hugh Currin, Sr., Nancy W. Darden, Leonard M. Dunn, Carlene Fletcher, Stan Fox, Laura Seifert Gabel, Hubert Gooch, Dr. John B. Hardy, Jr., Boyce Harvey, Rev. G. C. Hawley, Robinette Husketh,  Mildred A. Jenkins, Tom Johnson, Paul Kiesow, Doan and Bette Laursen, James and Mary Ann Lumpkins,  John D. Mackie, J. Medford, Dr. Jimmie V. Morris, Annette Myers, John King Nelms, Dr. Roy Noblin, Dr.  David Noel, Leonard Peace, Sr., Gladys Satterwhite, Harold Sherman, Rev. Harrison Simons, Tom Speed, Marshall Tanner, Dr. and Mrs. Richard Taylor, Steve Timberlake, Virginia Tuck, Xavier L. Wortham, L. Clement Yancey.

SBA Rep Speaker At July 12 Granville Chamber “Lunch and Learn”

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The Granville Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a “Lunch and Learn” seminar on Tuesday, July 12 to share resources available to small businesses.

Patrick Rodriguez will be the guest speaker for the hourlongevent, scheduled for noon at the Granville County Expo Center, according to information from Chamber Director Lauren B. Roberson.

Rodriguez is senior area manager for the U.S. Small Business Administration, an independent agency of the federal government that supports and protects the interests of small businesees and entrepreneurs. Among other things, it connects business owners with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business.

There is no fee to attend but registration is required.
Register on the Chamber’s website:
https://members.granville-chamber.com/events/details/lunch-learn-with-u-s-small-business-administration-4673

Leadership Granville Deadline Is July 1

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The deadline to register for the upcoming Leadership Granville program is July 1.

Leadership Granville is a program that offers residents of Granville County the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the community and develop leadership potential. It’s a great way for those new to the community to become personally and professionally acquainted with county structure and life, which can benefit present and future leadership. Participants visit local businesses and industry and spend time learning about the county’s history, agriculture and government. The program kicks off in September and concludes with graduation in April.

The application, with program details about schedules and meeting times, can be found on the Chamber of Commerce website:

https://granville-chamber.com/member-services/leadership-granville/

There are sponsorship opportunities available for businesses and other agencies to highlight products and services.

The Silver Sponsor is filled, but the Presenting Sponsor level is available for $2,000, one Gold Sponsor ($1,000) is available, and there are unlimited spaces for Bronze Sponsors ($500) and Lunch Sponsors ($300).

Sponsorships at the presenting, gold and silver levels include registration fee for one participant and various types of recognition at Leadership Granville events and promotional advertising.

Contact Roberson at lauren@granville-chamber.com to learn more.

Completed applications can be emailed to Roberson or sent to the Chamber office, P.O. Box 820, Oxford, NC 27565.

Country Snacks Mfg. Named Vance Co. Small Business Of The Year

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Country Snacks Manufacturing was named Vance County Small Business of the Year Wednesday by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce.

The business, founded in 2000 by Dwight Frazier and now run by daughter Angie Jacobs, makes a variety of snacks like pork rinds and pork skins in bags with the familiar Carolina Country Snack logo.

In presenting the award, Ronald Bennett, chairperson of the Henderson-Vance Chamber, told the group of about 40 that the company started out with a few employees and has grown to about 35. A partnership with Wise Foods has meant the crunchy snack foods have a much wider distribution now. “And it all started right here in Henderson,” Bennett said.

Upon accepting the award, Jacobs said she is proud to live in Henderson. “We love where we live,” she said. “We’re very thankful for this award and we appreciate it.”

Three other Chambers were represented at Wednesday’s event and announced their Small Business winners as well. The luncheon was held at Henderson Country Club.

Granville County Chamber Executive Director Lauren Roberson awarded Randall Huff of Huff Consulting LLC the Small Business of the Year for Granville County. In accepting the award, Huff said his business’s open house was in August 2021, and the reception from the community was a welcoming one.

“We’re in the right place to be able to help people in the right way,” he said. “We look forward to being a pillar in the community for a long time.”

In Franklin County, the Small Business of the Year went to Cook Shack Catering LLC and REMAX Premier Realty is the winner in Person County.

Representatives of the N.C. Rural Center were the guest speakers at the awards luncheon. Miles Kirksey and Tori Keeton shared updates about the role small businesses play in the economy and what that means for rural areas.

Kirksey said Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties have seen the most growth in new small businesses in 2020-21: Vance County has seen a 110 percent growth in new businesses, with Warren coming in at 91 percent, followed by Granville with 89 percent, Person with 86 percent and Franklin with 80 percent.

“I’m excited to see the growth of these five counties,” Kirksey said, adding that the more rural counties should be mindful of the benefits they can offer.

“Rural is not just a place,” Kirksey said. “It’s a way of life.”

Local Chambers Of Commerce Postpone Annual Banquets

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The annual meetings and banquets of two local Chambers of Commerce have been postponed and will be rescheduled to later in the spring of 2022.

Leaders of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and the Granville County Chamber made the announcements Wednesday.

Both meetings had been planned for late January, but rising cases of COVID-19 prompted both boards of directors to push the events out, in hopes that the surge in cases will have slowed.

The Henderson-Vance Chamber event has been rescheduled to Tuesday, April 12, 2022; the Granville Chamber banquet is scheduled for March 28, 2022.

Both events will be held at the Vance Granville Community College Civic Center.
“After consulting local health officials and with the support of our sponsors we have decided it is the safest decision due to the increase in COVID cases in our community,” according to Lauren Roberson, executive director of the Granville Chamber. “Everything about the banquet will remain the same, just a new date.

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

2021-22 Leadership Granville Application Period Opens

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The 2021-22 class of Leadership Granville is forming now! Applications are being taken until Aug. 6 for the program, sponsored by the Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Public Schools and Vance-Granville Community College.

Leadership Granville is an educational program designed to offer leadership training and a broader knowledge of the county to its residents. Participants learn about the community and dive deep into the county’s structure, culture and lifestyle, all while developing leadership skills and increasing networking opportunities.

Sessions are scheduled to begin on Sept. 14 and include leadership assessment and development; personal and group dynamics; county history; city-county-state governments; education; agriculture; industry and small business; health services; community support; recreation; the judicial system and law enforcement. Visits to local manufacturers, farms, small businesses, museums, schools, medical facilities, volunteer organizations, recreational facilities and other day trips are planned, as well as evening meetings of local government. To conclude the program, a graduation ceremony will be held in April 2022.

Those interested in assuming leadership positions with their organization and/or community are encouraged to apply. Enrollment is limited. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Applications are being taken until Aug. 6 and are available through the Granville County Chamber of Commerce Office, 124 Hillsboro Street in Oxford, or online at https://granville-chamber.com/member-services/leadership-granville.

To learn more, contact the Chamber office at 919.693.6125.