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Business Columnist Tammy Holyfield offers tips on how to survive the holidays in the workplace.
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Saturday, November 28, 2009
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Board questions DavidsonWorks actions
Recent expenditures by DavidsonWorks were the subject of intense discussion at Tuesday’s meeting of the Davidson County Board of Commissioners. Nancy Borrell, director of DavidsonWorks, first gave an overview of the organization’s recent activities. It received a $1.1 million federal stimulus grant this year, and so far, it has spent $775,390, or 65 percent of the grant. It is
required to spend 70 percent by June 30, 2010, and to spend all of it by June 30, 2011. “You know I didn’t support the stimulus money, Ms. Borrell,” said Commissioner Larry Potts. “I’ve got some questions for you.” Potts asked Borrell and Steven Moore, DavidsonWorks board of directors chairman, about the number of people served by DavidsonWorks pro-
‘It’s no secret that we as manufacturers are struggling just to survive in this county.’ — Martha Martin Door Tech Owner grams, and how many of them are employed as a result. They said they served 589 people. Of those, 64 received permanent jobs and the rest are
still in school or going through job training. Job training scholarships were given to 157 people. Borrell said that 96 young people were placed
at 65 employer work sites and paid by DavidsonWorks as part of the new summer youth employment program. Martha Martin, owner of Door Tech, was one of many employers invited to take part. “I thank those of you responsible for approving the funds for these young participants, not only for what it did for them, but what it did for us as an employer,” Martin said.
“It’s no secret that we as manufacturers are struggling just to survive in this county.” Ronte Burgess, a 16year-old who completed summer youth program with Davidson County Cooperative Extension, told the board that the program has encouraged him to go out and get another job, but he knows he needs to prepare for
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Lt. Gov. Dalton gives praise to DCCC
‘Makeover’ brings tourism dollars
BY KEVIN REID
BY KARISSA MINN
Times Correspondent
Staff Writer
GREENSBORO — Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton expressed high regard for Davidson County Community College (DCCC) recently while attending the annual meeting of the N.C. Boards of Education Association meeting. “ D av i d son County Dalton Community College is doing a very good job, and I think the people in that county can be proud of the initiatives that you see going on there,” Dalton said in an interview on Nov. 16 at the Sheraton
When ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” came to Lexington, it not only impacted Tricia Creasey and her family, but also the county where they live. Robin Bivens, executive director of the Lexington Tourism Authority, said that visitors purchased a total of 940 room nights over the build period, which equates to about $140,000 in economic spending in Davidson County. In contrast, Lexington’s annual Barbecue Festival generated 480 confirmed hotel room nights this year. “We estimate that they spend about $150 a day,” Bivens said. “That in-
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TIMES PHOTO/LISA WALL
SHOPPING FOR A DEAL Thomasville resident Annette Coryle shops for some Christmas presents on Black Friday at Peebles department store in Southgate Plaza. Many residents headed out to local stores to take advantage of some of the after Thanksgiving Day specials.
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Alternative Learning Center named Business of the Month BY KARISSA MINN Staff Writer
The Thomasville City Beautification Committee has named The Thomasville City Schools Alternative Learning Center as November Business of the Month for renovations that turned a vacant building into a school. The Alternative Learning Center assists students who have been expelled from other schools, typically for behavioral or truancy reasons, said Principal Terrell Scott. About 20 children in grades six through 12 currently attend the center, now located at 19 E. Guilford St. The Business of the Month recognition
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is based on the most improved landscaping or structural improvements, and the Alternative Learning Center has both. Scott said that the building was constructed in the 1800s and had been vacant for several years before the center moved into it in August. “It had been occupied by an accounting firm, so it was a bunch of little 10-foot-by10-foot offices,” she said. “It was completely gutted — I think to the tune of over $300,000 in renovations to it from Thomasville City Schools.” The center had been housed on the Baptist Children’s Home Mills Home campus for about 12 years, but Mills Home had dif-
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TIMES PHOTO/KARISSA MINN
From left, ALC students Garrick Terry Shemar Anderson, Daran Duncan, Michael Waddell and Andrew Freeman stand in front of the new school.
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