Business
WINNERS: Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce Membership Appreciation Awards π
The winners of the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce Membership Appreciation Ceremony
We all love to feel appreciated. It’s even better when our efforts are recognized by a group of our peers, colleagues, or members of the community.
During the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce Membership Appreciation ceremony on Feb. 10th, local business owners and more were shown love for their entrepreneurial pursuits and philanthropic efforts.
The award recipients were:
π Lake Gaston Coffee Company, Jason Shearin β
Business of the Year
π Locorum Distillery, Stacy Woodhouse πΈ
New Business of the Year
π Jenny Cakes at the Lake, Jennifer Harlow π (pictured)
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
π LKG 911 Community Task Force π€
Community Champion of the Year
π Greg Steel with Helpful Hands and Hearts π
Volunteer of the Year
π Myron Grueneich β€οΈ
Heart of the Community
Young Entrepreneur of the Year recipient Jennifer Harlow shared her appreciation with her social media followers along with a photo of her award:
I was so honored to receive the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award last night! Iβm so thankful to this community for nominating me, to the Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce for all their support, and my parents for making Jenny Cakes at the Lake a dream come true. I am blessed beyond measure and I know my granddad is smiling down on me. I canβt wait to open Jenny Cakes at the Lake SOON! π
Locorum Distillery, which was honored with the New Business Award also took to their social media to share the good news:
Wow! What an honor to be recognized as new business of the year by the Lake Gaston Chamber!! We are so grateful for all the love that the community has shown us and have been humbled by the response to our bar and distillery. What was just an idea a year ago is now a melting pot of people, ideas, community, and love. Thank you!!!
Nominees were selected by members of the Lake Gaston Chamber. The mission of the Lake Gaston Chamber is to connect and serve the businesses and communities around Lake Gaston. For more information, visit LakeGastonChamber.com.
Business
VIDEO: A Look at “Warren County, NC: From the Ground Up”
In partnership with Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Warren County Community and Economic Development released a video today highlighting several businesses in the area.
In partnership with Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc., Warren County Community and Economic Development released “Warren County, NC: From the Ground Up,” a video highlighting our diverse businesses and organizations in the area.
Warren County’s passion and commitment to building and thriving locally are the driving force behind our community’s success and culture. Itβs that dedication and commitment to community that has been the backbone of our county for years. Hear from some of our small businesses about our community’s values that are the foundation for success.
Small businesses featured (in order of appearance):
AF Wake (https://afwake.com);
Working Landscapes and ByWay Foods (https://bywayfoods.com/);
Brown Family Farms (https://brownfamilyfarmscsa.com);
Kings Fitness (https://www.kingsfitnessnc.com/);
Lake Gaston Outfitters (https://www.lakegastonoutfitters.com/)
Rockin’ E Ranch (facebook.com/rockin.e.ranch)
Business
‘Biz Kidz’ Shine at Warren Farmers Market
The Warren Farmers Market was abuzz with youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit as young business owners took center stage at the first “Biz Kidz” event.
This past weekend, the Warren Farmers Market was abuzz with youthful energy and entrepreneurial spirit as young business owners took center stage at the first “Biz Kidz” event. These aspiring entrepreneurs, many of whom were seasoned in the art of business, proudly displayed their products, impressing customers and vendors alike.
The following businesses were: Jaques, Jameya, Jaqeim, Jamaya, Jamara, and Jaquae Oliver of Oliver Kids Collection (decorated signs, and all natural, scented play-doh); Thea and Zoey Taber of Taber Treasures (crocheted coasters and potholders, bracelets, necklaces, keychains, bookmarkers); Jayden Andrews of JayRock’s Creations (hand-painted rocks); Kinsley Henderson of Sisterly Dreams Co. (cotton candy), and Olivia Burrows, who assisted as a 4H volunteer.
Whether we see them again at the Warren Farmers Market or at local festival, we look forward to seeing what these kidpreneurs do next!
Business
Duke Energy Foundation Grants VGCC $50,000 to Support Small Business Growth
The Duke Energy Foundation recently announced it has granted $50,000 to The VGCC Foundation to support small businesses in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.
The Duke Energy Foundation recently announced it has granted $50,000 to The VGCC Foundation to support small businesses in Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.
The grant is part of $700,000 in new funding made available to North Carolina small businesses in partnership with community development organizations like the Small Business Center at Vance-Granville Community College. Small business grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 will be distributed through 20 community organizations to support retail shops, restaurants, and other small businesses looking to expand, upgrade technology, and improve downtown storefronts.
Now in its fourth year, the program has provided over $2 million in funding to small businesses since its inception during the COVID-19 pandemic.
βThe Duke Energy Foundationβs small business grant program has helped fuel a resurgence of entrepreneurial small businesses ranging from bookstores to restaurants in our state,β said Kendal Bowman, North Carolina State President for Duke Energy. βThese small business grants ensure Main Streets across North Carolina are well positioned to benefit from our stateβs unprecedented economic growth.β
Such businesses play a critical role in the stateβs economic health and employ nearly half of North Carolinaβs workforce, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
βSmall businesses remain the backbone of the U.S. economy, and in rural areas, they also serve as the heartbeat of our local economies,β noted VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais. βThis monetary commitment enables Vance-Granville Community College to promote the entrepreneurial mindset and support budding small business ideas into real businesses within our larger community.β
The VGCC Small Business Center will select grant fund recipients through a series of workshops, one based in each of the four counties the College serves. Each workshop session will span four evening classes (10 total hours of instruction). The sessions will culminate with a five-minute pitch contest, after which five of the sessionβs 10 participants will receive a $2,500 award to support their small business.
Workshop dates and locations are as follows:
Sept. 16β19: VGCC South Campus
Sept. 30 β Oct. 3: VGCC Main Campus
Oct. 7β10: VGCC Warren Campus
Oct. 14β17: VGCC Franklin Campus
To learn more about this program and participant requirements, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Carolyn Perry at (252) 738-3240 or perryc@vgcc.edu.
For more information on the Duke Energy Foundation and its initiatives, visit duke-energy.com/Foundation.
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