Tag Archive for: #vancecountynews

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VGCC Hosts Oct. 20 Conference To “Imagine The Future Of Work”

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Vance-Granville Community College is hosting a daylong conference in October designed to help the region’s employers and business leaders to learn more about important workforce issues and how to create innovative programs to offset the challenges employers and employees face.

The “Business/Industry Connect 2022: Imagine the Future of Work” is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Civic Center on the college’s main campus in Vance County. The event is free, includes lunch, but registration is required. To register, visit BIC2022.eventbrite.com.

VGCC officials hope that the event can help businesses attract talent, understand the neuroscience behind successful hiring, institute highly motivating onboarding programs and develop a company culture that energizes coworkers, unlocks their potential and leads to higher retention rates. Many organizations are finding it difficult to find and keep skilled workers, according to a press statement from Jerry Edmonds, III, VGCC’s vice president of Workforce & Community Engagement.

Two special guests will help facilitate the conference: Phil Dixon and Bryan W. Mattimore.

Dixon graduated from Warwick University with a degree in Computer Science. His career in the Information Technology field included a stint with Apple before launching his own consulting firm. In 2010, he earned a master’s degree in Consulting and Coaching for Change in England at a program run jointly by HEC Paris and Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. He found his life’s passion in studying neuroscience and the brain.

Today a resident of Oxford – in Granville County – Dixon has published several articles and books about the brain, and is a frequent and international speaker on the topic of brain-based leadership.

Mattimore is cofounder and “Chief Idea Guy” of the Growth Engine Company, based in Connecticut. In his business consulting career, Mattimore has given more than100 keynote addresses, facilitated over a thousand brainstorming sessions, and managed 200 successful innovation projects, leading to over three billion dollars in new sales annually for one-third of the Fortune 100 companies. He is also a Senior Fellow with The Conference Board, an innovation and marketing instructor for Caltech in their Executive Education Department, and the author of several books. His new book, “Islands of Invention, How to Create Extraordinary Innovation Centers,” co-authored with McKinsey consultant Claus Raasted, is set to be published later this year.

“We look forward to this opportunity for the local business and economic development community to gather, learn and collaborate on ways to not only find new team members, but also to develop and engage the employees they already have,” said VGCC Grants Administrator Ken Wilson, who is coordinating the conference. “VGCC and our partners in education and workforce development are here to help local organizations successfully hire and train their talent.”

For more information, contact Ken Wilson at wilsonk@vgcc.edu.

 

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Blackmon, Kelly Bring Home KTCOG Honors From Annual Banquet

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The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments held its annual awards banquet last week and two local officials were honored for their leadership at the city and county levels.

Leo Kelly, Jr., chairman of the Vance County board of commissioners was named Outstanding County Elected Official, and City Manager Terrell Blackmon received the Outstanding Manager Award, according to information from KTCOG’s Susan Tucker.

Kelly received his award from Granville County commissioner Sue Hinman. Henderson City Council member Mike Rainey presented Blackmon with his award at the banquet, held Thursday, Sept. 22 at the Warren County Armory Civic Center. KTCOG Board Chair Walter Gardner presided over the meeting.

Tucker said 124 individuals were present for the annual banquet representing the five counties that comprise the KTCOG.

“The primary purpose of this annual banquet is to highlight the achievements of regional leaders who have been nominated by their peers/constituents for outstanding performance and contributions,” Tucker said in a statement to WIZS News Monday.

The 2022-23 officers also were installed at the banquet. The new chairman is Zelodis Jay, a member of the Granville County board of commissioners; vice chairman is Derrick Sims, a Person County Commissioner; and treasurer is Betty Wright, a Louisburg town council member.

In addition to awards received by Kelly and Blackmon, the following awards were presented:

  • Kerr-Tar Outstanding Board Member Award was presented to Betty Wright, with the town of Louisburg. Jimmy B. Clayton of Person County presented the award.
  • Outstanding Municipal Elected Official Award went to Jackie Sergent, mayor of Oxford. Oxford City Commissioner Quon Bridges presented the award.
  • Outstanding City or County Clerk to the Board award was given to Paula Pulley of Warren County. Warren County Commissioner Tare Davis presented the award.
  • The Regional Star Award was presented to David Smith of Granville County. Granville County Commissioner Tony Cozart made this presentation.

Henderson Figures Big In 2022 Class Inducted Into Strength Sports Hall Of Fame

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The N.C. State Strength Sports Hall of Fame inducted a dozen power lifters earlier this month in a ceremony at Aycock Rec Center in Henderson, which saved drive time for most of the inductees – most of them live right here in the community.

Henderson inductees honored on Sept. 10 are Joe Daniel, William Hawkins, Bobby Jones, Harry Orr, Casey Orr, Ralph Peace, James Perry, Zelmo Perry, Dennis Renn and Jake Roberson. Paul Bossi and Ed Brooks also were inducted into the hall of fame, according to Harry Orr, who also serves as assistant director for the organization.

And Sara Coffey of Henderson was inducted, “for her commitment, volunteering to fill anything needed to help promote the sport of powerlifting,” Orr said in a statement to WIZS News.

Induction to the Hall of Fame is the highest honor given to the sport of powerlifting in the state, Orr said. “To be from North Carolina and (have) that many people from a small town like Henderson, that makes it special to all of us that live here,” Orr said.

According to its website, there are six induction criteria for candidates to be considered for induction:

  • Be a current resident of NC
  • Be at least 25 years old
  • Have a minimum of 7 years’ participating in weightlifting, power lifting, coaching, refereeing, volunteering and/or strength sports
  • Have demonstrated outstanding participation in the categories of Strength Athletes, Lifter, Coach, Referee and Volunteer
  • Must submit a written resume with details that specify reasons for the specific category that the candidate wishes to represent
  • Be drug-free, with no history of failed drug test

Orr said the organization plans to continue inducting a couple of new members each year.

Chamber, Rotary Join Forces To Host Nov. 10 “State Of The County” Address

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Join other members of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce and the Henderson Rotary Club for the “State of the County” address and luncheon in November.

The event is the second in a series of informational meetings for community members; the first gathering spotlighted the “state of the city” address.

Speakers for the Nov. 10 program include County Manager Jordan McMillen and County Commissioners’ Chairman Leo Kelly.

The event will be held at Henderson Country Club from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. The cost per person is $30; reserve a table for eight for $240, according to information from Sandra Wilkerson, director of programs for the Chamber.

The deadline to RSVP is Nov. 4 and Wilkerson said seating is limited, so don’t delay!

Call the office at 252.438.8414, email Wilkerson at sandra@hendersonvance.org at or register online at www.hendersonvance.org

Upcoming Local Blood Drives

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Blood donors this fall play an important role in keeping the blood supply high enough to help patients on blood or platelets, especially ahead of the busy holiday season.

Book a time to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1.800.RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

As a thank you, the Red Cross is offering these exciting opportunities for donors:

  • All who come to give through Sept. 30 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience, including two tickets to a 2023 Sport Clips Haircuts-sponsored race of the winner’s choice, round-trip airfare for two, up to a three-night hotel stay, and entry to a Sport Clips racetrack hospitality tent, if available, plus a $750 gift card, thanks to Sport Clips.
  • Those who come to give in September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, also thanks to Sport Clips. Details are available at redcrossblood.org/racetogive.
  • All who come to give Oct. 1-31, 2022, will receive a $5 e-Gift Card by email to a merchant of choice.

Here’s a list of upcoming blood drives in the area:

Henderson

Tuesday, Sept. 27

11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Vance Granville Community College, 200 Community College Road

Thursday, Oct. 6

1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Raleigh Road Baptist Church, 3892 Raleigh Rd.

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Louisburg

Friday, Oct. 7

11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Louisburg College, 501 N. Main St.

Saturday, Oct. 15

9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Rock Spring Baptist Church, 34 Rock Springs Church Rd.

Register For SBA Webinar Friday At 2 PM To Learn Funding Options For Small Businesses

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The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a webinar Friday afternoon to discuss funding options that are available to small businesses, including new and existing resources to contend with inflation.

The webinar is part of “The Bottom Line” series, hosted by the SBA and Small Business Majority

Register here for the webinar, which begins at 2 p.m.

“Understanding how to deal with the impact of inflation as a result of the pandemic and other global factors, and knowing where to look for an navigate available resources to tackle it can sometimes be daunting,” according to information from the USBA. Speakers during tomorrow’s webinar include USBA Senior Advisor, Office of Capital Access Veronica Pugin; Gary Cunningham, president and CEO, Prosperity Now, Stephanie DeVane, vice president of the National Urban League’s entrepreneurship & business development and Mark Madrid, USBA associate administrator, Office of Entrepreneurial Development.

Click this link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wur853uISLmA7Oh-Lfm3Pw?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

H-V Industrial Park Phase III

Vance Commissioners Pave The Way For Construction Of Shell Building At Industrial Park

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In a special called meeting Monday, the Vance County Board of Commissioners moved closer to fulfilling the concept of construction of a shell building on the campus of the industrial park.

The board approved a resolution to sell a 7.15-acre parcel to the Henderson-Vance Industrial Park, Inc. for $185,900, on which a 50,000-square foot shell building will be constructed, according to agenda information, which was confirmed Tuesday by County Manager Jordan McMillen.

Jordan told WIZS News Tuesday that all was approved as proposed.

In related business, the board also approved a construction loan agreement, two future advance deeds of trust and two promissory notes which total almost $3 million to complete the engineering, construction and maintenance of the shell building.

One loan for $500,000 at 0 percent interest because it is tied to funds from the state budget appropriations, according to information previously presented to the board. An additional $2.4 million loan is provided at 4.5 percent interest with interest beginning at such time that draws are made. This loan is for engineering, construction and maintenance of the building, which the county wants to have ready for prospective business and industry looking to locate in the area.

According to the loan documents, the building is to be completed within 18 months and provides two years – until Oct. 1, 2024  – for all principal and interest to be due and payable back to the county. The loan agreement includes separate promissory notes and deeds of trust for each of the loans. Funding for the project comes from the county’s economic development fund.

County leaders have been working on this concept for some time, with the idea that the county would be able to show prospective business and industry the local commitment to boost economic development.

Sheriff Brame: Illegal Phone Scam Circulating

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Vance Sheriff Curtis Brame has reported that the main phone number for the sheriff’s office has been cloned and is being used in an illegal scheme after hearing from numerous citizens that they have been called and told they will be arrested if they don’t comply with instructions.

According to Brame, citizens are getting calls that because they failed to appear in court to serve as jurors, they must pay a certain amount of money or face arrest.

“They are being advised to take cash and deposit same into a kiosk machine at a local convenience store to avoid being arrested,” Brame said in communication to WIZS News Friday.

“At no time will my office or the clerk’s office direct a citizen to take funds to a third-party location,” Brame said.

Anyone who receives a call like this is asked to obtain as much information as possible from the caller and contact local law enforcement agencies.

 

Free Prostate Cancer Screening At MPH Sept. 29

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-information courtesy of Donna Young, MPH marketing & communication coordinator

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the doctors and staff of Maria Parham Health are once again providing free prostate screenings for men in the community.

The screening event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. No appointments are needed; just show up at the hospital.

According to a press release from Donna Young, marketing & communication coordinator, all men are at risk for prostate cancer. Although about 13 out of every 100 American men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and of that figure several will die from it.

The most common risk factor is age. The older a man is, the greater the chance of getting prostate cancer, but some men are at an increased risk. African American men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men, and more than twice as likely to die from it. African American men tend to get diagnosed at an earlier age, have more advanced disease when it is found, and tend to have a more severe type of prostate cancer than other men. Men who have a close blood relative (father, son or brother) who had prostate cancer are also at an increased risk.  The American Cancer Society recommends screenings for men 50 or older and those at a higher risk beginning at 45.

For more information, call the Maria Parham Cancer Center at 252.436.1656.

 

Military History Show Coming To Local Airport Oct. 29

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The 7th annual Military History Show will take place Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Henderson-Oxford Airport in Oxford.

The free event is open to the public and will be held 10a.m. to 4 p.m., complete with a display of military equipment, uniforms and other historical articles. Participants can bid on items during a Silent Auction and Total Flight Solutions will be on hand for helicopter rides.

All proceeds will benefit the Veterans Affairs Committee of Granville County.

Contact Harry Coombs to secure a vendor space, make a donation or to become a sponsor. At 919.691.7697 or Harry4th@centurylink.net.

The airport is located at 6514 Airport Rd., Oxford, NC 27565