Shenandoah Valley Business journal

A Byrd Newspapers Publication

Volume 18, No. 11, September 26, 2017

Women Spur Entrepreneurship

Spotlight

on:

And n e m o W ess n i s u B l l Sma Page 8

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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Inside This Issue The Shenandoah Valley Business Journal is a monthly publication of Rockingham Publishing Company, Inc., 231 S. Liberty St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

Focus Section: Women And Small Business ■ The Orginal Social Network...................................Page 6

Other Business News

Editorial Staff

■ Dynamic Aviation’s 50th Anniversary................Page 5

Editor and General Manager: Peter S. Yates

■ Howell Metal Marks 50 Years..........................Page 11 ■ Local Ledger.................................................Page 10

Managing Editor: Jerry Blair

Columns

Staff / Contributing Writers: Vic Bradshaw, Preston Knight, Kelly Clark

■ Financial Focus with Kathy Armentrout..........Page 3

HARRISONBURG — The Shenandoah Valley Business Journal is seeking nominations for its 2017 “10 Under 40” list of rising business leaders younger than 40.

The annual list that began in 2011 highlights some of the area’s young, rising business professionals. Short profiles of those recognized are published in November’s edition of the SVBJ, which will be inserted in the Nov. 28 edition of the Daily News-Record.

Submissions should include the nominee’s name, age, business and position, as well as a narrative about why the nominee should be included on the list.

Candidates must work within the Daily News-Record’s coverage area of Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, southern Shenandoah or Page counties, or north-

Contact us By mail: Shenandoah Valley Business Journal P.O. Box 193 Harrisonburg, VA 22803 By email: svbjnews@dnronline.com By fax: 433-9112 By phone: 574-6267 (news) 574-6229 (ads) On The Cover: Daniel Lin / DN-R Wendy Kern (right), co-owner of Mulligan’s Golf Center in Harrisonburg, works with Jerry Alexiou during a lesson.

Contributing Photographers: Daniel Lin, Stephen Swofford

‘10 Under 40’ Rising Leader Nominations Being Accepted

Harrisonburg, Va.

ernmost Augusta County.

The resubmission of people previously nominated is allowed, but previous winners are excluded from consideration. People are allowed to submit multiple nominees.

Nominations should be submitted to svbjnews@dnronline.com. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 12.

— Vic Bradshaw

Primbetov Picked As Director For PVFCU Member Relations HARRISONBURG — Park View Federal Credit Union has hired Sergey Primbetov as its director of member relations.

Primbetov will lead member relations efforts for the credit union’s four See MOVERS, Page 3

United Bankshares Hikes 3Q Dividend, Plans Stock Repurchase HARRISONBURG — The board of directors of United Bankshares Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) has declared its third-quarter dividend and announced a stock repurchase plan, according to a news release.

The dividend was set at 33 cents per share and will be paid on Oct. 2 to shareholders of record as of Sept. 8. United has increased its dividend to shareholders for 43 consecutive years, the nation’s second-longest such streak.

The parent company of United Bank also plans to repurchase at prevailing prices up to 2 million shares of its common stock.

When the shares are bought, how many are purchased and at what prices they’re acquired are at management’s discretion.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., and Charleston, W.Va., United Bankshares

operates 144 full-service branches in Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Ohio, including offices in Harrisonburg, Bridgewater, Broadway, Elkton, Weyers Cave, Woodstock and Strasburg.

— Vic Bradshaw

Immerge And HDR Partner Up On 360-Degree Business Tours HARRISONBURG — Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance has partnered with Immerge, a Harrisonburg web design and development firm, to offer “360-dgree” online virtual tours to downtown businesses.

According to an Immerge press release, with 360-degree photography, flat photographs are stitched together to create a panoramic view of a space. Using a special camera, Immerge will take photos of a See SCENE, Page 3

Harrisonburg, Va.

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Five Tips For Women Business Owners W

omen are an integral part of the workforce, but they have had to overcome many obstacles along the way. Of course, challenges still remain, but women’s success in the working world is worth commemorating — which occurred Sept. 22 on American Business Women’s Day. Are you a woman considering “setting up shop” on your own? If so, here are five tips to consider: ■ Balance your goals. It’s possible — perhaps even likely — that your business goals will conflict with your personal financial goals. After all, if you’re purchasing new equipment or services for your business, you’ve got less money — at least for the time being — to put away for your own retirement or your children’s education.

Hopefully, your investment in your business will pay off in greater income, but, in any case, you will need to balance your personal and professional goals.

■ Create a retirement plan. As mentioned above, your ability to contribute to a retirement plan may be affected by the amount you put into your business — but that certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a retirement plan.

In fact, for your future financial security, it’s essential that you launch such a plan.

Fortunately, small-business owners have a choice of plans, including an “owner-only” 401(k), SEP-IRA and SIMPLE IRA. Although the various plans have different requirements and contribution limits, they all offer tax-deferred earnings, which means your money has the opportunity to grow faster than if it were placed in a vehicle on which you paid taxes every year. (Taxes are due upon withdrawal, and withdrawals prior to age 59½ may be subject to a 10 percent IRS penalty.) Plus, your contributions to a retirement plan may be tax deductible.

■ Arrange for “backup.” Virtually all working women are familiar with the conflict between their careers and their roles as caregivers. Women are still more likely than men to drop out of the workforce for an extended period of time to care for young children or elderly parents.

And your care-giving responsibilities won’t end just because you are now a business owner. Consequently, you need to have someone you trust available to step in for you when your family obligations call you away from work.

■ Design a succession plan. When you

Financial Focus Kathy Armentrout

want to retire, would you like to keep the business in your family? If so, you’ll need to create a succession plan that works for you and whomever you’d like to take control.

Such a plan can be complex, so you will need to work with your legal and tax advisors — and you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to work out the details.

■ Build an emergency fund. Maintaining an adequate cash flow will always be a key task — one that involves your sales, billing cycles, inventory and other elements of your business.

One way you can help yourself avoid troubles is to maintain an emergency fund

consisting of a few months’ worth of your business expenses. You’ll want to keep this fund in a liquid, low-risk account.

Running your own business can be extremely rewarding, but it’s never going to be an easy road. However, with perseverance and careful planning, you can smooth out some of the bumps along the way — and give yourself reason to celebrate American Business Women’s Day. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by Kathy Armentrout, an Edward Jones financial adviser at 560 Neff. Ave., Suite 100, Harrisonburg; 540-574-1013.

Loomis Hires New Financial Adviser Tours Accessible Through Google Maps Movers

FROM PAGE 2

branches, He has experience in retail banking, management consulting and financial services process improvement.

He earned his undergraduate degree at James Madison University and Primbetov a master’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina.

— Vic Bradshaw

Financial Adviser Troutman Joins Loomis Wealth Management HARRISONBURG — Jared Troutman has joined Loomis Wealth Manage-

ment as a financial adviser.

Troutman earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at the University of New Hampshire.

He supervised foster care efforts in Cortland County, N.Y., for six years and was a project manager for Splash Kingdom’s water park in Nacogdoches, Texas, before earning his licenses to be a financial Troutman adviser.

Loomis Wealth Management is an independent investment-planning brokerage that manages clients’ retirement and estate-planning assets. Its offices are at 1954 Evelyn Byrd Ave. — Vic Bradshaw See MOVERS, Page 4

Scene

FROM PAGE 2

business’ interior, create a virtual tour, and then upload the images to Google StreetView so they are accessible through Google maps.

As of Sept. 7, 16 downtown Harrisonburg businesses had signed up to participate in this initiative, according to the release.

Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance developed a partnership with Immerge to increase web traffic to individual businesses and help sell downtown to new tourists, diners, and shoppers, the release states.

Immerge is a full-service web and digital marketing agency founded in 2004 and has been a division of Waynesboro-based McClung Cos. since 2010.

— Staff Reports

Insurers Help Raise $40,000 For Volunteer Fire, Rescue Squads HARRISONBURG — A matching challenge from June resulted in the collection

of more than $40,000 for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in Rockingham, Augusta, Page and Shenandoah counties and the city of Harrisonburg, according to a news release.

LD&B Insurance and Financial Services, Loudoun Mutual Insurance Co., and The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County invited people to donate to area volunteer first-responder organizations during June.

The two companies provided up to $15,000 to match contributions, putting in $3 for every dollar donated. LD&B then contributed an additional $5,000.

The drive resulted in the local volunteer fire and rescue organizations receiving a total of $44,044.02.

LD&B is an independent, employee-owned insurance and financial services company representing individuals, businesses and municipalities. It operates offices in Bridgewater, Broadway, Harrisonburg, Luray, Mount Jackson, Staunton See SCENE, Page 4

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Tuesday, September 26, 2017

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Harrisonburg, Va.

VPAS Coordinator Serves Multiple Roles Family Business Celebrates Anniversary Movers

FROM PAGE 3

VPAS Names Guisewite Caregivers Community Network Coordinator HARRISONBURG — Valley Program for Aging Services has appointed Kathy Guisewite as its caregivers community network coordinator.

According to a press release, the position is a collaborative effort between VPAS and James Madison University to provide not only caregiver respite, but also a learning environment for students to understand the needs of older adults and the challenges that caregivers face.

Guisewite will serve in dual roles as both caregiver community network coordinator and health and human services adjunct professor at JMU. Previously, she served as an educator at The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind, where she worked with families in their homes as they raised children who were blind or deaf. She also serves as coordinator of children’s ministries and was a counselor with at-risk families whose life

experiences often included poverty, incarceration, and abuse.

Additionally, she taught human development as an adjunct professor at Mary Baldwin College.

VPAS, an advocacy agency that works with adults 60 years and older, provides Medicare counseling, senior transportation, recreational programming, meal delivery, and in-home personal care in five central Shenandoah Valley counties, including Augusta and Rockingham and the cities within.

— Staff Reports

Cooper Returns To New Market Life Care Center As Exec Director HARRISONBURG — Anthony Cooper has returned to Life Care Center of New Market as its executive director.

A Romney, W.Va., native, Cooper earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agriculture from West Virginia University. He worked at the New Market skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility from 1990 to

Scene

FROM PAGE 3

and Woodstock.

— Vic Bradshaw

Family-Owned Business Milstead Construction Celebrates 30 Years DAYTON — Milstead Construction is celebrating its 30th year in business.

Established in 1987, Milstead Construction is a family owned, Class A general contractor specializing in residential new home construction, home design, and land development.

Ranked in the top 1 percent of builders in Virginia by Build Zoom, Milstead Construction aims to provide quality homes at an affordable value, according to a press release.

Residential projects developed by Milstead include Parkside Village in Bridgewater, Cloverdale Estates in Dayton, South Mountain Village in McGaheysville, Park Place Townhomes in Grottoes, and Emerald Bay on Smith Mountain Lake.

USDA Seeks Input On Changes To Animal Welfare Regulations HARRISONBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking feedback on potential changes to the Animal Welfare Act’s licensing requirements, according to a news release.

The USDA issues about 6,000 licenses each year to people who breed, sell or exhibit animals commercially, and it is responsible for ensuring that licensees comply with the act’s humane standards of care. The AWA has been law since 1966.

A list of potential changes was published in the Aug. 24 Federal Register and is available at Regulations.gov. The department is accepting comments through Oct. 23, either online at Regulations.gov or in writing at: Docket No. APHIS-2017-0062, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

— Staff Reports

See MOVERS, Page 9

— Vic Bradshaw See SCENE, Page 10

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Harrisonburg, Va.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

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Dynamic Aviation Celebrates 50 Years In Flight itary personnel and others.

“We think about how do we create value, and the way we create value is impacting lives,” Stoltzfus said. “The first order of magnitude is lives saved, and we don’t know the

By VIC BRADSHAW actual numbers; we just know that there’s a Daily News-Record number and it’s substantial.”

Life-saving also is the primary mission of BRIDGEWATER — In early September, its public health and safety work.

Michael Stoltzfus said, Dynamic Aviation The company has sprayed for mosquisent three airplanes to southeast Texas to spray for mosquitoes following the flooding toes to thwart Eastern equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and last year the Zika virus, caused by Hurricane Harvey.

Some of its pilots have used company Stoltzfus said. It sprays between 1 million planes to help locate improvised explosive and 2 million acres annually across multiple devices to keep members of the military safe states, more when there’s flooding.

Under contract for the U.S. Department in war zones, while others have guided tankof Agriculture, it helped eradicate screwer aircraft safely over wildfires in mountainworms in Central America. It protected Calous terrain so they can dump retardant ifornia’s $6 billion citrus industry by chemicals to quell the flames. helping prevent the MediterraStoltzfus, the company’s nean fruit fly from entering president and CEO, said the the San Joaquin Valley.

We buy an company employs about Its third business seg570 people around the airplane, we ment, Stoltzfus said, is globe, including about add value to the airborne data acquisi350 at its headquarters tion, mostly for commerairplane. at the Bridgewater Air cial clients. Dynamic emPark. It owns 140 air Michael Stoltzfus, ployees and aircraft have craft and operates from Dynamic Aviation done aerial photography; 16 locations in five counpresident and CEO used special equipment to tries on three continents. create 3-D digital images of Not bad for a company areas; and helped find uranium, that started 50 years ago in a diamonds, gold and oil under the chicken hatchery by 27-year-old twin brothers Karl and Ken Stoltzfus, who cre- Earth’s surface.

Each segment, he said, involves modified ated the business to pay their way through aircraft, with many of the changes made in what was then Eastern Mennonite College.

“It’s just kind of a cool, homegrown, fami- Bridgewater.

“We buy an airplane,” Stoltzfus said, “we ly-run business that literally started on College Avenue,” said Michael Stoltzfus, Karl’s add value to the airplane — via modificason, “and is now out here in Bridgewater op- tion, via overhaul — and we fly the airplane on a contract to meet a specific mission or a erating airplanes around the world.” specific need.”

Bridgewater Air Park-Based Firm ‘Homegrown, Family-Run’

“

Saving Lives, Money What that cool, homegrown business has become is a major global provider of aviation solutions.

Michael Stoltzfus said the segment that altered Dynamic’s business model the most is intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The company helps gather intelligence for U.S. Department of Defense clients by using aerial surveillance and reconnaissance techniques.

The most important work in that field is counter-IED efforts. Working with other companies, he said, Dynamic has helped identify the locations of improvised explosive devices anywhere where they might be used and saved the lives of thousands of U.S. mil-

Family Tradition What Dynamic Aviation is at its core is the Stoltzfus family’s 81-year legacy.

Michael’s grandfather founded Chris Stoltzfus and Associates in Coatesville, Pa., in 1936. The company did various things over the years, but aerial spraying for state and federal governments was a key part of the business from the mid-1950s through the 1970s.

Karl and Ken Stoltzfus grew up in aviation and went into business together when they started K&K Aircraft on Sept. 16, 1967.

Michael Stoltzfus said his father and uncle bought wrecked fighter planes from the military, salvaged the parts they could,

ABOVE: Guests tour hangars and exhibits at Dynamic Aviation’s 50th anniversary open house. LEFT: Melissa Correa, her daughter, Rainya, 5, and husband Marcos Correa exit a vintage DC-3 airliner owned

by Dynamic Aviation during the open house.

Photos by Daniel Lin / DN-R

and used them to create aids on which aviation mechanics were trained in vocational and technical schools. They built their own smelter and used it to smelt aluminum, which they sold.

After they finished up at Eastern Mennonite, Ken went into seminary and eventually wound up as a pastor at a Mennonite church in Ohio, Michael Stoltzfus said. Karl stayed in Harrisonburg and continued running K&K, buying the Bridgewater Air Park in 1974 and scraping by in the aviation industry for the next seven years.

The big change came in 1981, Michael Stoltzfus said, when his father modified a plane for aerial spraying and started competing for gypsy moth contracts, marking the beginning of the modern company. Its name was changed to Dynamic Aviation in

2000 to better communicate to customers what the company does.

Dynamic Aviation, he said, owes its success to customers with innovative ideas that required a dedicated aviation partner and employees who embrace the company’s values.

“The only way we’re able to send five airplanes to Texas in a moment’s notice to go spray for mosquitoes is because you’ve got a whole team of people here, 550 folks, who deeply believe in the mission and then have the skill set and have the desire and have the drive to go make it happen,” Michael Stoltzfus said. “That’s been the theme throughout 50 years. You can’t do this stuff without a team that believes deeply in what you do.”

Contact Vic Bradshaw at 574-6279 or vbradshaw@dnronline.com

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Tuesday, September 26, 2017

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Harrisonburg, Va.

The Original Social Network Women’s Groups Encourage Growing Valley Businesses

By PRESTON KNIGHT Special to the SVBJ

HARRISONBURG — With more than a decade playing on the LPGA Tour, Nancy White certainly had her share of beautiful drives.

She saved one more, albeit of a different sort, for the Shenandoah Valley.

When White left the tour, she sought a driving range to call her own, placing an ad online stating as much.

After a year of silence, she thought she finally found a match in Greensboro, N.C. White was ready to strike a deal for a facility there, until she received a call from the owners of Mulligan’s Golf Center on Carpenter Lane at Harrisonburg’s southern border with Rockingham County.

“I just fell in love with the place the second I drove in the Valley,” said

White, who has owned Mulligan’s for more than 14 years.

She and co-owner Wendy Kern, a former captain of the James Madison University women’s golf team, now operate a renovated facility with nearly 20 employees, depending on the season, and can be considered one of the many success stories the Valley has to tell for Women’s Small Business Month in October.

Fortunately for women in their position, they have captive audiences to share their experience with and learn from.

A pair of local organizations for professional women exist in the Harrisonburg area. The independent Working Women’s Forum, which was established in the early 1980s, and the Shenandoah Women’s Alliance, a 2016 creation of the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce, offer priceless networking opportunities, members say.

See NETWORK, Page 7

Daniel Lin / DN-R

Local food blogger Lois Carter Crawford speaks during a Working Women’s Forum meeting at Vito’s Italian Kitchen in Harrisonburg during a monthly group lunch. October is Women’s Small Business Month.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Harrisonburg, Va.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

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Meetings Serve To Help Women Build Relationships And Checking Accounts it business, but since Hoover took over in 2008, it has been a more informal Kern frequently attends the forum’s group. There are no dues, and the monthly luncheons on behalf of Mul- monthly luncheons feature speakers ligan’s and is interested in getting in- who pay their own way at locations that do not charge a fee for space. volved with the alliance as well.

About 20 women attend each meet“It’s a supportive environment,” she said. “We like to talk, and we like to ing, which serves to help women build relationships and peace of mind help people grow and expand. It’s as much as, if not more than, a great way to network with their checking accounts. other business owners and “There’s some menget our name out in the Women are always toring from the old to community.” the young,” Hoover concerned about Show Up, Get Rewarded said. “Women are alkeeping balance in When Working Womways concerned about their life. en’s Forum started, local keeping balance in service organizations their life. It’s nice to Linda Hoover, were considered “men have women peers to group facilitator only,” said Linda Hoover, discuss these things a retired financial adviser with.” and the group’s facilitator.

The all-female configSpouses were given a chance to uration “changes things up a be included but only as auxiliary memlittle,” said Phyllis Friesen, co-owner bers who basically assisted with fund- and marketing director of Design Conraising, she said. crete Builders. She is a member of both The first three women who ran the See NETWORK, Page 8 forum did so as their personal for-prof-

Network

FROM PAGE 6

“

Daniel Lin / DN-R

Mulligan’s Golf Center co-owner Nancy White advises Bobby Van of Broadway on a new golf jacket in the center’s pro shop. White has owned Mulligans, at the border of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, for more than 14 years. The renovated facility operates with nearly 20 employees, depending on the season.

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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Harrisonburg, Va.

‘Heels And A Briefcase’ Not Required Network

FROM PAGE 7

Have No Regrets

Shenandoah Women’s Alliance bethe women’s forum and chamber’s alli- gan in January 2016 and has been ance, which she helped organize. meeting every other month since, aver“We like to encourage each other,” aging 60 women, said Donna Preziuso, Friesen said. “It’s important to reach its chairwoman and one of the foundout to as many folks as I can, to put ers. The word “business” was intentiona face on the business. When ally left out of the group’s name you keep coming consisbecause organizers thought tently, [others] recognize it might lead to the asyou and the company sumption that only corIt’s important to reach you’re with. … People porate executives could tend to do business out to as many folks participate. with somebody they Instead, a diverse as I can, to put a face know. I don’t have to group of women are on the business. make cold calls again, regularly gatherreally.” ing, showing that, as Phyllis Friesen, Design Concrete Preziuso likes to say, Design Concrete secured a job replacing “heels and a briefcase” Builders walkways along Skyaren’t required. line Drive and making “There’s definitely still them more compliant with room to grow in active memthe Americans with Disabilities berships,” she said.

Act thanks to a connection she built Chamber President and CEO Frank through the women’s forum.

Tamberrino has said member surveys “That was a really nice job for us,” showed interest in having a group for Friesen said. “All because I kept show- professional women. Anyone interested ing up.” in the group can visit at first, but must

“

Experience better business banking.

Daniel Lin / DN-R

Linda Hoover reads off announcements during a Working Women’s Forum meeting at Vito’s Italian Kitchen during the group’s monthly lunch in Harrisonburg. eventually join the chamber to be eligible to attend.

The alliance also collects money for charity and is working on establishing

a mentoring program, said Preziuso, who recruits, hires and trains people to See NETWORK, Page 9

Union Bank & Trust serves up success.

When Tim Brady, owner of Pale Fire Brewing Company in Harrisonburg, Virginia, needed a loan to expand, he called Commercial Banker Greg Godsey. Greg was able to get the funds quickly thanks to his relationship with the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. With the financing in place, Tim was able to negotiate a great deal on the equipment and packaging he needed. When you’re ready to bank better, bank at Union.

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SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

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‘Being Able To Gather With Other Women ... Has Helped Me And My Business Grow’ Network

FROM PAGE 8

own and operate agencies for American National/Farm Family Insurance in the Shenandoah Valley. “The different programs the chamber has put together have been invaluable to me as a business owner,� said Melissa Knoll, an alliance member and regional manager for Anna’s Top to Bottom Cleaning Service. “As a woman in the business community, being able to gather with other women for support, advice and camaraderie has helped me and my business grow.�

As Preziuso said, “We thrive off of one another.�

The overhaul at Mulligan’s is just one example. Last year, a new miniature golf course opened at the site, along with a new entranceway, checkin area, snack bar and restrooms, as well as a pavilion that holds 80 people. The pavilion can be rented for parties and other events. “Women are willing to take risks and try different things. I don’t know

Earned Degrees At W.Va. University Movers

FROM PAGE 4

1996 before transitioning into the retirement community industry.

Life Care Centers of America is a health care company based in Cleveland, Tenn., that operates more than 200 nursing, post-acute and Alzheimer’s centers in 28 states. Its New Market center is at 315 E. Lee Highway. — Vic Bradshaw

if it was always that way, but it is today. We’ve made some really bold decisions to improve our business. We’re not the only ones to do that,� White said.

Kern said the women’s forum empowers women to run their business with confidence by putting like-minded people in one room. To that end, Mulligan’s expansion can encourage other women business owners to follow suit with big improvements, just as White has been inspired by others.

As an example, she cites Sarah Cohen, co-owner of Route 11 Potato Chips, who oversaw the business move to a larger manufacturing facility in Shenandoah County about a decade ago. “If you really believe it’s something the community needs, people will come,� White said of taking risks. “You need to do it and not regret not doing it.�

Contact the Shenandoah Valley Business Journal at svbjnews@dnronline.com

Daniel Lin / DN-R

Nancy White (left), co-owner of Mulligan’s Golf Center, works with Linda Ervin of Massanutten during a lesson.

We are Proud we could Assist in the Establishment of the local group– Working Women’s Forum by designing their Logo. Thank you, Ladies.

STAY WELL and DO WELL. Bob Privott

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Upcoming Events Start Smart Workshops— Sept 29, 10:00-noon Verona Oct 20, 2:00-4:00pm Harrisonburg Oct 31, 1:00-3:00pm Verona Business Smarts 7:30-9:00am Oct 13: What Your Employees Wish You Knew Nov 10: Networking‌ Dec 8: Your Marketing Calendar Digital Marketing w/ Google Oct 18, 11:30am-1:30pm Harrisonburg Connections 2017— Oct 19, 1:00-7:00pm Harrisonburg Workshops, Speed Networking, Business Fair, and Reception

Gov. McAuliffe Appoints Miller To Beef Industry Council HARRISONBURG — Gov. Terry McAuliffe has appointed Rockingham County farmer Craig Miller to the Virginia Beef Industry Council.

Miller is the owner of Miller Farm LLC, located just west of Harrisonburg.

The council was created in 1985 to support the cattle industry by enhancing consumer preference for beef. It is funded through the national Beef Checkoff program. — Vic Bradshaw

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CyberSecurity for Small Business Oct 26, 1:00-5:00pm Harrisonburg Rapid Fire Marketing— Nov 2, 1:00-5:00pm Harrisonburg Meet the Experts. Ask your Questions.

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Tuesday, September 26, 2017

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Poultry Company Matching Grants Scene

FROM PAGE 4

Perdue Foundation To Match Farm Fresh Donations To Food Bank HARRISONBURG — Donations to a Blue Ridge Area Food Bank program through the end of 2017 will grow automatically thanks to a matching grant effort from a poultry company.

The Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Perdue Farms’ charitable giving arm, has offered a dollar-for-dollar match for up to $25,000 donated to the food bank’s Farm Fresh Program through Dec. 31, according to a news release.

The Farm Fresh Program was launched in April 2015 to provide low-cost, fresh vegetables and fruits to the Verona-based food bank that serves clients in 25 counties and nine cities in the Shenandoah Valley and central Virginia.

Arranged by Farm Credit of the Virginias, the program enabled the food bank to procure produce at a set price if bidding doesn’t reach a certain level at the Shenandoah Valley Produce Auction. It’s since been expanded to allow purchased from other Virginia farmers.

— Vic Bradshaw

USDA Allows Enrollment, Opt-Out For Farmers In Dairy Program HARRISONBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun allowing dairy farmers to sign up for the Margin Protection Program for 2018 and will allow producers already in the program to opt out.

The program provides financial assistance when the difference between the price of milk and feed costs, known as the margin, falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

Producers enrolled in the program must meet conservation compliance standards.

The enrollment deadline is Dec. 15.

Dairy farmers previously enrolled in the program are being allowed to opt out by not signing up during the registration period and will not be charged the minimum annual administrative fee of $100. However, the producer would not receive any benefits if payments are triggered next year.

The opt-out option is only for 2018 and cannot be applied retroactively.

For more information, visit your local Farm Service Agency office.

— Vic Bradshaw

Harrisonburg, Va.

Local Ledger Central Valley Area Home Sales Median Price Harrisonburg Rockingham Shenandoah Page Augusta Staunton Waynesboro

August 2017

August 2016

$183,000 $227,550 $187,400 $145,000 $212,225 $192,950 $158,000

$160,000 14.38% $199,900 13.83% $174,900 7.15% $182,000 -20.33% $194,000 9.39% $137,250 40.58% $152,000 3.95%

Days On Market Harrisonburg Rockingham Shenandoah Page Augusta Staunton Waynesboro

August 2017

August 2016

Pct. Change

30 43 70 90 37 25 30

21 56 61 236 55 29 64

42.86% -23.21% 14.75% -61.86% -32.73% -13.79% -53.13%

Units Sold Harrisonburg Rockingham Shenandoah Page Augusta Staunton Waynesboro

August 2017

August 2016

Pct. Change

37 79 137 17 84 46 35

61 97 129 21 86 46 30

-39.34% -18.56% 6.20% -19.05%

Pct. Change

-2.33% 0.00% 16.67%

Sources: Funkhouser Real Estate Group; Real Estate Business Intelligence

Retail Sales (in millions) Harrisonburg Rockingham Shenandoah Page Augusta Staunton Waynesboro

Unemployment

July 2017

$103.9 $57.1 $54.5 $19.0 $45.8 $32.4 $43.8

Source: Weldon Cooper Center for Economic and Policy Studies

July 2017

June 2017

July 2016

4.9% 3.4% 4.2% 4.5% 3.5% 3.7% 4.1%

5.2% 3.6% 3.6% 4.5% 3.6% 3.8% 4.3%

5.7% 3.8% 3.8% 4.6% 3.6% 4.0% 4.2%

Harrisonburg Rockingham Shenandoah Page Augusta Staunton Waynesboro

Source: Virginia Employment Commission

Labor Force Harrisonburg Rockingham Shenandoah Page Augusta Staunton Waynesboro

July 2017

June 2017

July 2016

24,897 41,358 21,731 12,022 38,222 12,380 10,507

24,851 41,285 21,383 12,002 38,134 12,353 10,477

24,183 40,588 21,286 11,869 37,286 11,978 10,127

Source: Virginia Employment Commission

10 UNDER

40

Do you know a business leader under 40?

The Shenandoah Valley Business Journal is seeking nominations for its 2017 “10 Under 40” list of rising business leaders under the age of 40.

Nominations should be submitted before Oct. 12 to svbjnews@dnronline.com.

Harrisonburg, Va.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

11

Howell Metal Marks 50 Years In The Valley

By KELLY CLARK Daily News-Record

NEW MARKET — Howell Metal started as a side project of its founder in 1967, to the chagrin of the company he was working for at the time.

“A. Leo Howell was building the Nibco Fittings plant [in Stuarts Draft], and he built this place for himself,” said Ashley Driver, Howell Metal’s plant manager. “The [Nibco] company didn’t like that, but he worked with the town of New Market on it.”

Nibco, based in Elkhart, Ind., produces metal and plastic pipe systems and fixtures.

Howell took a similar approach with his facility to fill what he saw as a need in the northern Valley, Driver said.

Today, the plant on New Market Depot Road has grown from a single building producing less than 1 million pounds of copper tubing per year to a 400,000-square-foot complex with nine furnaces and three mills churning out 30 million pounds annually, Driver said.

The plant’s 200 employees marked its 50th anniversary with five days of celebra-

tions, including a cookout and an ice cream social, during the week of Sept. 25.

Howell Metal specializes in copper tubing for air conditioners, refrigerators and residential plumbing systems, Driver said.

Canadian company Community Metal purchased the plant in 1969 and owned it until 2013, when Memphis, Tenn.-based Mueller Industries bought the plant, he said.

The purchase was a byproduct of the recession, which saw “a tremendous amount” of consolidation among metal manufacturers, Driver said.

“We follow construction patterns, and there were not as many new home starts,” he said. “There’s also a substantial amount of homes switching from copper to PEX [plastic] tubing, which is cheaper.”

Howell Metal is the only copper tubing manufacturer in the country to use only recycled materials and no “virgin copper,” Driver said.

Materials are purchased from scrap merchants across the South and up and down the East Coast, then sorted, melted down and shaped into tubes to be sent to customers along the East Coast, he said.

Johnny Stover, who has worked for Howell Metal for 21 years, inspects and caps soft coils as they exit an annealing oven at the Howell Metal factory in New Market. Howell Metal is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Stephen Swofford / DN-R

The plant’s larger customers include May Supply Co. in Harrisonburg and AF, a kitchen and bath supply store in New York City.

Jeff Jones, 55, the plant’s night-shift superintendent, said safety standards and production capacity have risen in the 38 years that he has been with Howell Metal.

“We’ve gone from one [assembly] line to three,” Jones said. “We’ve grown in furnace capacity, and we’re much more safety-oriented.”

Technological norms also have undergone a sea change over the years, according to Roy McCurdy, 53, the plant’s metal casting direc-

tor and day shift superintendent.

“We’ve gone from push buttons to touchscreens on [programmable logic controllers],” McCurdy said.

While Driver looks to diversify the plant’s products beyond tubes in the future, Jones enjoys being the only copper tubing factory in the area and one of eight left in the U.S. “It’s something that nobody else in the Valley can do,” Jones said.

Contact Kelly Clark at 574-6290 or kclark@dnronline.com

12

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

SHENANDOAH VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

Harrisonburg, Va.