Business News

Jack the Dipper celebrates 45 years

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce held a STIR Business After Hours event June 17 at Jack the Dipper in Sylva to celebrate their 45th year of being in business. Guests were treated to a fun evening filled with free ice cream and wonderful door prizes.

Tractor Supply opens in Sylva

Tractor Supply Company is excited to bring a new store to serve and meet the needs of the Sylva community at 21 Ferguson Rd.

The rural lifestyle retailer is committed to providing essential, everyday products that customers need like animal feed, pet food and supplies, propane, fencing, garden supplies, home supplies and more. The Tractor Supply team members are equipped with knowledge to help customers find the right products for their specific needs. Additionally, customers can use the Buy Online, Pickup In Store option to purchase products online and pick up their items in as little as one hour in the store or through contactless curbside pickup.

“At Tractor Supply, we understand the value of providing essential needs like pet food, animal feed and home supplies to our customers in the Sylva community,” said Forrest Frazier, manager of the Sylva Tractor Supply store. “Our team members live the same lifestyle as our customers, and we’re excited to supply them with the tools, information and resources they need to live life on their own terms.”

Champion Credit Named ‘Best Employer’

Champion Credit Union was recently named as one of the 2021 Best Employers in North Carolina for its fourth year in a row.

This program was created by Business North Carolina and Best Companies Group to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in North Carolina who are benefiting the economy, workforce, and businesses in the state of North Carolina. The list is made up of 56 companies. Of the 56, Champion Credit Union, Johnson Price Sprinkle PA, Zoe Dental, Pine Gate Renewables and Gaia Herbs were the WNC-based companies to be named. Statewide, Champion is one of two credit unions recognized this year.

For information on the 2021 Best Employers in North Carolina, visit https://businessnc.com/2021best-employers-in-north-carolina-work-perks/.

Food Lion opens in Franklin

Food Lion recently opened a new store at 245 Macon Plaza in Franklin.

The new store has about 75 associates and serves customers daily from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.

“Having been born and raised in Franklin, I am so excited to welcome my neighbors into their new Franklin Food Lion,” said Kristy McGuire, store manager of the new location. “I am so honored to be able to work with a great group of people. We are excited and proud to welcome our neighbors and family into our Food Lion store so they can experience the great variety and assortment throughout the entire store. I look forward to serving my community as the store manager.”

Carolina Hemp Expands

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Carolina Hemp Company located at 98 West Palmer Street.

Carolina Hemp Company recently opened in Franklin and its modern space offers a general store atmosphere and prides itself on its innovative concept of being an educational space. The store provides wellness products that align with the company’s motto of “Bringing Balance Through Hemp” and offers samples, along with knowledge, to the general public for an in-store experience.

Carolina Hemp Company was founded in 2014 in Asheville and is an education-focused hemp general store and wholesale distributor of quality hemp flower extract products such as sublingual oil, concentrates and other products, including hemp flower, topicals and edibles.

SCC Business Center awarded grant

Southwestern Community College Small Business Center was recently awarded a grant through Carolina Farm Credit’s Corporate Mission Fund.

This college has a mission to increase the success rate and number of viable small businesses in the region by providing high quality, accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business owners, which will lead to job creation and retention and overall job growth. Grant funds will support the Appalachian Farm School hosted by the college. This is an eight-week program aimed to help farmers understand the business aspects of farming.

“Our Corporate Mission Fund is another way that Carolina Farm Credit strives to enhance agriculture and the rural communities in North Carolina.” said Vance Dalton, CEO, Carolina Farm Credit. “These grants help provide funding for many great organizations across our territory.”

To read about last year’s grant recipients, visit carolinafarmcredit.com.

WCU chancellor on leadership power list

Business North Carolina counts Chancellor Kelli R. Brown among its Power List 202, a recently published compilation of the state’s most influential leaders.

The magazine identified the state’s best and brightest leadership based on interviews with business and community members, research and reader suggestions, in 18 categories for fields including education, health care, economic development, finance and sports. An emphasis for selection was placed on those who made a particularly noteworthy impact in 2020, especially for a demonstrated concern for the broader community.

“I am humbled by this recognition and look to my colleagues who help me each and every day in my role as WCU chancellor. Together, we are here for the campus and the community, providing regional assistance and creating a better future,” Brown said.

Brown is first permanent female chancellor of WCU, beginning in the job on July 1, 2019. She immediately set three top priorities for her tenure as 1) academic excellence and quality, 2) economic development and regional outreach, and 3) diversity and inclusive excellence.

Brown holds a doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale; a master of science and education in public health degree and bachelor of science degree, both from the University of Toledo; and an associate in applied sciences degree in dental hygiene from Michael J. Owens Technical College in Toledo, Ohio.

Rose Creek opens under new ownership

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony with the new owners of Rose Creek Campground & Cabins to celebrate the opening of the 2021 season at 140 Terrace Ridge Drive in Franklin.

Jesse and Shelby Harrison are excited to open their very first season as owners of the park.

“We have made some additions and renovations to the campground and love welcoming folks to stay with us,” said Jesse Harrison.

Full hook-up RV sites are available for campers up to 43 feet with 30 and 50-amp service with both pull-through and back-in, shaded sites. Pop-up and tent sites include primitive or water with electricity. There are cabins and RV rentals, as well as, coming in July, two covered wagon rentals. A new dog park has been added to the property and the swimming pool has been converted to salt and is now open. The bath house has been remodeled and a picnic pavilion has been added. Live music will also be featured on select weekends for campers.

Booking is easy online at www.rosecreecamping.com under the reservation tab.

Franklin Chamber presents annual awards

The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce held the 2020 Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet recently at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.

The awards went to: • Past President – Candy Presley • Club/Organization of the Year – Men’s Teen Challenge of The Smokies • Youth Citizenship Award – Dakota Collins • Above & Beyond Awards – Macon County Public Health & Macon County North Carolina 911 (Macon County EMS) • Duke Energy Citizenship Award – Michele Zeman Alderson • Citizen of the Year – Claire Suminski (accepted by her daughter Jamy Beth Ferraro)

Wellness store opens in Jackson

Jackson County Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors recently held a grand opening/ribbon cutting ceremony for Pinnacle Relief-CBD Wellness Lounge. Located at 55 Grindstaff Cove Rd., Pinnacle specializes in CBD, tinctures, non-alcoholic beverages and ice cream. They also have a relaxing lounge and beautiful outdoor seating adjacent to Scotts Creek.

For more information, call 828.508.3018 or visit them on Facebook.