BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Welcome Whether you are a new resident or a visitor, we are proud to introduce you to Gaston County and a wide variety of activities available here. In a single day, you can enjoy the beauty of a world renown botanical garden, learn the history of our area at one of several museums, get your heart racing on a mountain bike course, and run the rapids at one of the world’s finest whitewater centers. If you’re drawn to water, few communities offer more water access than those of the Montcross area. The Catawba River marks the eastern border of Gaston County flowing through Mount Holly and Belmont, allowing for beautiful riverfront parks, marinas and waterfront communities. West of Belmont and Mount Holly, flowing through Lowell, McAdenville and Cramerton is the South Fork River, smaller than the Catawba, but ideal for kayaks, canoes, and fishing. The spectacular 380-acre Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located along the South Fork River in Belmont, featuring a five-story orchid conservatory, a children’s garden, and much more. The cities and towns of the Montcross area along Gaston County’s eastern border offer residents the best of small-town living, with easy access to the attractions of the big city next door.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is less than a 10-minute drive from Belmont and Mount Holly. In just 20 minutes, eastern Gaston visitors and residents can be in uptown Charlotte for a sporting event, for a play or concert, or just to have a dinner. When the big city isn’t calling, visitors and residents of the Montcross area communities have lots to enjoy in their own backyard. Unique independently owned restaurants and specialty shops line Main Street in every town, and parks, greenways and other outdoor recreation opportunities are abundant. Our public schools are outstanding, and we also have excellent private school options. We have Gaston College, a two-year community college, and the four-year Belmont Abbey College. If you’re considering our area as your next home we hope this publication will be a valuable tool in helping you become acquainted with Gaston County and its communities. When you arrive, please let us know you’re here. We invite you to attend our events and let the Montcross Area Chamber help you connect quickly to sources for services and to new friends. Our website has a lot of valuable information. You can sign-up to receive our emails, which will keep you updated on happenings in the business community. You’ll also find our Chamber staff eager to welcome you, answer questions and provide information.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Gordon Quarles - Board Chair Blue Harbor Bank Natasha Gilbert - Chair Elect Chick-fil-A Belmont Wil Neumann - Treasurer Gaston Capital Partners Shannon Thomas - Secretary Creative Solutions Special Events Heath Jenkins - Past Chair Town of Stanley DIRECTORS Del Barajas Barajas Company Marc Burns Techtheon Global Solutions Melissa Gordon Piedmont Lithium Ray Hardee Pointe Church Paul Lowrance McKenney Family Dealerships Melia Lyerly Lyerly Agency Martha Wegner Duke Energy Del Murphy CaroMont Health Brad Wruble Belmont Eye Julie Roper Dominion Energy Todd Garrett Holy Angels Emily Wilson Atrium Health Andrea Sipka Schooley Mitchell Paige Kilburn Edward Jones Lindsay Lockett Gaston Christian School ADVISORY DIRECTORS Sandy Railey Lowell Mayor Charlie Martin Belmont Mayor Steven Denton Stanley Mayor Jim Robinette McAdenville Mayor Ronnie Worley County Commissioner Greg Beal Mt. Holly Economic Development Director David Pugh Cramerton Town Manager Jonathan Blanton Ranlo Town Manager Michael Peoples Gastonia City Manager Dick Cromlish Gaston County EDC
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MONTCROSS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
