Business News

Castle venue opens in Tuckasegee

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently held a ribbon cutting/grand opening ceremony Castle Ladyhawke at Bear Lake Reserve, located at 77 Castle Ridge Road, in Tuckasegee.

Castle Ladyhawke is a Scottish border castle set against the pristine backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains just 20 minutes north of Cashiers and 20 minutes south of Sylva. It is beyond expansive and dramatic, with sweeping views and rustic elegance. The venue will host weddings and special events for up to 150 guests.

For more information, visit www.castleladyhawke.com, call 833.522.7853 or visit their Facebook page.

Mountain BizWorks receives grant

Mountain BizWorks, a U.S. Treasury certified nonprofit community development financial institution, recently announced that it has received an Open for Business grant from Wells Fargo Foundation.

The grant enables Mountain BizWorks to further its programs to help local businesses survive and rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the support will expand BizWorks’ Catalyst Program to assist entrepreneurs that might lack access to bank lending opportunities.

The grant is intended to utilize capital, technical assistance, and technology to grow equitable small business success in the face of COVID-19. The support from Wells Fargo provides COVID-19 relief funding to businesses owned by people of color and low-income individuals.

Since March of this year, Mountain BizWorks has deployed over $42 million in COVID-19 relief funding to small businesses, nearly ten times the amount of lending it did in all of 2019.

To learn more about small business loan funds and other learning programs, visit www.mountainbizworks.org.

Business webinars offered through HCC

The Small Business Center at Haywood Community College will offer a free online series for those looking to start a small business. The series will include learning opportunities on key topics ranging from writing a business plan and financing to marketing and bookkeeping. Not just for new or aspiring business owners, these webinars are sure to benefit established business owners as well.

How to Write a Business Plan will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9. Learn how to turn your ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Attendees will walk through the components of a business plan to help you lay the foundation for success.

Marketing Your Business will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16. Discover how to most effectively and efficiently use the many marketing tools available.

Basics of Bookkeeping will be held 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. Gain a workable knowledge of how to properly record financial transactions for your business. Financing Your Small Business will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 23. Explore the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of funding sources and how to choose the right one for your needs.

Visit sbc.haywood.edu or call 828.627.4512 for additional information or to register.

Franklin’s Awards Banquet postponed

Franklin’s Annual Awards Banquet is an evening to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations for the work they have accomplished in the community.

The 2020 nominations for Citizen of the Year, Duke Citizenship Award, Youth Citizen of the Year, Organization of the Year, and Chamber Member of the Year have been received and winners will be decided soon. Winners will be announced and awards presented later this year when the banquet can be rescheduled.

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors voted to postpone the banquet until later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions set forth by the North Carolina Governor.

Jackson Tech Repair now operating

Jackson Tech Repair services smart phones, tablets, computers, as well as custom builds. They also offer IT services to local businesses and tailor them to your needs. For more information, call 828.477.4857, email jtrsylva@gmail.com or visit them on Facebook.

New Macon wedding venue opens

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon ceremony to celebrate the opening of Double R Wedding Vows and Event Center to the Franklin business community.

The venue is located in the pristine Nantahala Forest on 20 acres just west of Franklin. Double R Wedding Vows and Event Center offers both indoor and multiple outdoor locations for weddings, anniversary parties and reunions for 75 guests, as well as, accommodations for up to 16 guests.

The little white church was built to replicate an old-fashioned country church but with modern design and sits next to the clear running water of Buck Creek. The babbling creek is visible from every seat in the church and is a tranquil and soothing backdrop.

Buck Creek Station is a multi-functional pavilion near the chapel and is a common area for receptions and gatherings. The interior boasts a large wood burning fireplace with plenty of room for a dance floor, food and bar area, music and tables, this building will be one of the most popular gathering areas for your guests.

Call 833.933.2877 for a free tour and pricing information or visit www.doublerweddings.com.

Harrah’s Cherokee committed to giving

2020.

In 2020, employees of Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos and their families accumulated over 26,000 volunteer hours through the company’s H.E.R.O. (Harrah’s Employees Reaching Out) program. Employees volunteered with local organizations including Jackson County Neighbors in Need, Swain Cancer Support, Rotary Club of Asheville, Valley River Humane Society and Sarge’s Animal Rescue.

In addition to their volunteer efforts, employees also made notable monetary contributions including a $23,900 donation to Lunchbox Heroes, a program that helps provide school lunches to students in Jackson, Swain, Graham, Cherokee, Haywood, Macon and Clay counties, and a $10,500 donation to PAWS Animal Shelter. Furthermore, Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos supported local nonprofit organizations through sponsorship donations, totaling over $146,000 in cash and services for 2020.

On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the company temporarily closed its doors as a precautionary measure due to COVID-19. For the next month, Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos continued to pay its team members in an effort to help reduce financial burdens. For the year, the company disbursed over $183 million in salaries, wages and benefits for its 3,300 employees.

Continuing their efforts to support the local economy and local businesses, Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos also paid over $35 million for contracts and services in addition to contracting over 43,000 area hotel rooms to help accommodate guests.

Haywood gets 5G technology

UScellular first brought wireless communications to Western North Carolina in 1987, and now, customers across the area can access the latest in wireless technology with the deployment of the company’s 5G network. The initial coverage includes much of Haywood County, in particular the areas around Clyde.

Other areas of WNC with access to 5G include portions of Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey counties. Access also has expanded regionally to include Tennessee, totaling more than 50 UScellular 5G sites throughout Tennessee and North Carolina.

“UScellular customers in Western North Carolina will have access to even faster data connection speeds for a better experience on city streets, country roads and in their homes,” said Nathan Waddell, director of sales for UScellular in western North Carolina. “We encourage our new and current customers to check out the growing number of 5G smartphones and connected devices in our portfolio, so they can benefit as we expand our 5G network.”

A 5G coverage map is available at https://www.uscellular.com/coverage-map. This will be updated as more 5G network coverage is added. For more information about UScellular’s 5G network, go to www.uscellular.com/5G.