Business
Smoky Mountain News
Donate prom dresses for a cause Pretty for Prom is seeking donations of gently-used gowns, cocktail and party dresses and accessories for lower-income teen girls in Haywood County. The effort is being spearhead by members of Women of Waynesville. The campaign has already received 18 gowns, ranging from size 2 to size 20, along with shoes and accessories. The goal is to get 100 gowns donated by April 30. 828.550.9511 or 828.476.4231.
Cherokee breaks ground on new hospital A groundbreaking for a $75 million, 150,000-square-foot hospital in Cherokee was held last month. “This project recognized the need to address the health care challenges of our tribe and to create a positive wellness environment,” said the Eastern Band’s Principal Chief Michell Hicks. Three years in the planning, it will combine state-of-the-art medical care with traditional tribal design features.
Business notes
• The annual spring fashion show hosted by the Haywood Chamber’s Women in Business will be held at 11:30 a.m. April 15 at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville, featuring a wide range of looks for women in the workplace, from business casual to professional dress. Patti Troutman, a Belk’s department store manager in Waynesville, will talk about how to create new look. $25. Register at www.haywood-nc.com.
• Steve Kaufman has joined the board of directors of Old Town Bank in Waynesville. Kaufman is president and general manager of Reece, Noland & McElrath, a clientfocused engineering Steve Kaufman design and consulting firm in Haywood County. www.oldtownbanking.com.
• Southwestern Community College is one of three North Carolina colleges selected for Project SEARCH, a program that helps students with disabilities by giving them on-the-job training through an internship with local businesses. An open house about Project SEARCH will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Jackson Campus in the Burrell Building. 828.339.4486 or devonnej@southwesterncc.edu.
Macon BizWeek hosts robust lineup
“The local community, including tribal elders, artists, students and enrolled members, as well as physicians and medical professionals, have all played a big role in shaping this new facility,” Hicks said. The hospital will house numerous programs, including a 20-bed inpatient, integrated care, outpatient services, lab, pharmacy, complimentary therapies, physical therapy and other services currently provided by Cherokee Indian Hospital. It will open in early 2016.
BizWeek in Franklin will feature a series of programs in celebration of business, industry and entrepreneurship. The event runs from April 22-24 and is hosted by the Macon County Economic Development Commission. • Shop Local, Buy Local, Invest Local, 9 a.m. April 22 on the Macon campus of Southwestern Community College. • Getting More Engagement & Results for Small Biz Using Photography and Video, 2 p.m. April 22 on the Macon campus of SCC. • Entrepreneur Networking Night, 5:30
• REACH of Haywood County is expanding its two thrift stores in Waynesville. The REACH clothing and home stores located on Hazelwood Avenue will be combined and expanded into one store front. REACH provides crisis support, counseling, recovery and court advocacy for domestic and sexual violence victims. 828.454.5998.
• A free seminar called “Global Appalachia Eye Opener” will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday, April 28, by the Haywood Community College Small Business Center. The International Trade Division of the Department of Commerce will host an export workshop. Get one-on-one consulting with international trade experts who will devise a strategic follow-up plan to promote global exporting initiatives. Free, but registration required. www.sbc.haywood.edu or 828.627.4606.
• Western Carolina University will hold an information session for prospective students for its MBA program at 4 p.m. Monday, April 21, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort. Classes for part-time MBA students are offered at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. Register by sending an email to kumcintyre@wcu.edu. • Mountaineer Complete Care, a retail home health store, is now open in Clyde. The store sells diabetic shoes and compression therapy, lift chairs, knee walkers, bath safety items, beds and accessories, braces, back supports and other health and wellness products. 828.456.2818. • The new Perk & Pastry shop on Main Street in Sylva will be opening on Friday, April 18, in the former Annie’s Bakery location. It will be run by the owners of City Lights Café. Hours will be Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The bistro will offer a wide array of pastries and baked goods, espresso drinks, breakfast, lunch and house-made gourmet grab-and-go items, including salads, soups, sandwiches, breakfast burritos and bagel sandwiches.
• Dr. J. Christopher Rowland has joined the team at Angel Pediatrics. Rowland got his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He transferred from Marion, where he practiced at Blue Ridge Pediatrics.
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p.m. April 23 at Motor Company Grill. • BizWeek Banquet, 6 p.m. April 24 at Holly Springs Baptist Church. Featuring keynote speaker David Belcher, chancellor of Western Carolina University, as well as the announcement of the 2014 Macon County Business Plan Competition winner. All BizWeek 2014 events are free. However, space is limited and pre-registration is required. www.maconedc.com or call 828.369.2306.
Haywood entrepreneurs: start your engines
The annual business start-up competition by the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce is underway. The winning business plan will receive a $10,000 grant. Business plans will be judged on the potential for success and job creation. “A key pillar of economic development in our community is to promote the start-up and expansion of local and small businesses,” said CeCe Hipps, director of the Haywood Chamber. The Haywood Advancement Foundation is a major underwriter of the competition, along with other business partners. The deadline is May 1. www.haywoodnc.com.
the 2014 UNC Board of Governors Awards for Excellence in Teaching. Debo was recognized for her ability to engage students in stimulating, challenging and sophisticated discussions about literature and literary theory. • High Country Kennels has recently opened in Franklin. This “home away from home” for dogs and cats has large and medium indoor/outdoor runs, isolated pens for pets that prefer a quieter environment and a family size pen. 828.369.3900. • Southwestern Community College will offer a seven-week bartending class on Mondays and Wednesdays starting April 14. The class meets from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Balsam Center at Southwestern’s Jackson campus. Cost is $125. 828.339.4426 or ldowns@southwesterncc.edu.
J. Christopher Rowland
• A series of free eBay workshops will be held by the Haywood Community College Small Business Center this month. eBay for Beginners will be held 6 to 9 p.m. April 29. Beyond the Basics of Selling on eBay will be held 1 to 4:30 p.m., April 30. Setting up your eBay Store will be held 6 to 9 p.m. April 30. Free, but registration required. www.sbc.haywood.edu or 828.627.4606. • Annette Debo, professor of English at Western Carolina University, is among 17 recipients of
• Haywood Community College’s Cosmetic Arts Department will hold a Cut-A-Thon for Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 23 at the college’s Cosmetic Arts Center. 828.627.4641. • The Karma Café, a family-run coffee shop serving breakfast and lunch daily, has opened on Main Street in downtown Waynesville. It features freshly baked pastries and sweets, a juice bar and smoothies, coffee drinks, soup, salads and sandwiches. Open Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.thekarmacafe.net or 828.246.6007.