Business News

HCC awarded $1.196 million labor grant

Haywood Community College was selected by the Department of Labor, in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission, to receive a grant in the amount of $1.196M for Project UP, a program to support the development of shortterm training programs in construction.

The grant is part of the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities Initiative and is designed to build the workforce in our area and upskill the talent of those participating in the program. Twenty-three grants were awarded, two of which went to North Carolina.

“Providing opportunities to gain critical job skills is the heart of our mission as a community college,” said HCC President Shelley White. “We are excited to have been selected for this grant and look forward to strengthening partnerships and building new relationships through Project UP.”

HCC will partner with the Haywood County Detention Center, Southwestern Workforce Development Board, and construction, plumbing and HVAC businesses in the county to implement a training program to target local workforce needs. This initiative will provide a pathway of rehabilitation for individuals who’ve been incarcerated and re-entry into the workforce with GED certification and job skills training. The program will also serve as a pipeline of entry-level talent in the construction industry for businesses.

Courses offered will be open to anyone in the community looking to gain credentials and advance their career. In addition, this program will assist employers in meeting workforce challenges by helping to fill the shortfall of construction workers projected in North Carolina.

For more information, call 828.564.5128 or email ddburchfield@haywood.edu.

Harrah’s to host career expo

The inaugural Mountain Community Career and Resource Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort Conference Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee.

More than 25 regional employers representing hospitality and tourism, technology, health care, manufacturing and professional services will showcase their career opportunities and many will conduct on-the-spot hiring. Job seekers are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and dress to impress. Anyone needing a new resume or updates to an existing one are encouraged to contact their local NCWorks Career Center to work with a career advisor. Interview and elevator pitch preparation are also available.

Additionally, community resource organizations covering Western North Carolina will be on hand to provide information on their services. Multiple door prizes will be awarded during the expo. Face coverings are encouraged but optional for vendors and attendees regardless of vaccination status.

For more information, call 828.586.4063 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), or 828.488.2149 (Tuesday, Thursday), or email ncworks.8500@nccommerce.com.

Cashiers seeks award nominations

Community Awards, including Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Businessperson of the Year, Educator of the Year, Arts & Culture Advocate of the Year and the Evergreen Award.

The deadline for applications is Friday, Nov. 19. Each year, the Chamber hosts these community awards to recognize deserving individuals who dedicate their lives and talents to positively influence Cashiers area communities.

Winners will be selected by committee and featured in the 46th Annual Cashiers Christmas Parade, to be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. Festivities will follow at The Village Green.

For more information, call 828.743.5191 or email office@cashiersareachamber.com.

Renovations underway at Waynesville Inn

Raines, one of the Southeast’s premier hospitality management, development, and investment groups, has announced the completion of its first phase of an overall multi-million-dollar renovation of the historic Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa, now coined Waynesville Inn & Golf Club.

The property was purchased by Raines in April with plans to fully renovate and restore the existing guest rooms, golf course and restaurant, as well as expand the experience with new construction additions, including practice facilities, golf cottages and more.

The group recently celebrated the completion of Phase One, which included the full interior renovation of Golfview, featuring all new flooring, fresh paint, updated furniture, fixtures and equipment, as well as new artwork.

Phase Two will include a similar renovation to the property’s Brookside building, enhancements and redesign of the food and beverage outlets, a new arrival experience and other amenity related improvements, will begin in 2022.

Construction on the golf course is also already underway. The total renovation is expected to take approximately 16-24 months to complete.

“We are incredibly excited to have begun the thoughtful and extensive restoration of this iconic landmark of Waynesville and Western North Carolina,” said Gavin Philip, senior vice president of Woven by Raines. “We feel this property will become a sought-after home for both our members and Inn guests for many years to come.”

New leadership at Harrah’s

Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos recently announced two promotions within its regional leadership team. Adam West has accepted the position of assistant general manager of Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Enoch Ferguson has accepted the position of regional vice president of finance.

West, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, joined Harrah’s Cherokee in 1997 as a member of the Hard Count team. He has since held many roles with increasing levels of responsibility in diverse areas including Cashiering, Planning & Analysis and Casino Operations. Adam holds BSBA and MBA degrees from Western Carolina University.

Ferguson started his career at Harrah’s Cherokee in October 1997 as an accountant and has since served as accounting manager, regional financial controller and regional director of finance. Enoch is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a BS degree in accounting from WCU.

Southwestern Commission names next director

Russ Harris will take over as executive director of the Southwestern Commission.

Harris, who previously served as director of community and economic development, will replace Sarah Thompson. Thompson was recently named as the vice president of impact-economic opportunity of the Dogwood Health Trust Foundation after 10 years with the Southwestern Commission.

Harris was directly involved in acquiring funding for projects throughout the region in key areas such as broadband, water and sewer infrastructure, and agriculture. He helped to create the Southwestern NC HOME Consortium, which will bring additional funding for housing into the region.

The Southwestern Commission is the Council of Governments for the seven western counties of North Carolina, the 17 municipalities therein, and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Ice cream truck opens in Franklin

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Sweet Caroline’s Mobile Ice Cream Truck. Owner Carla Whitley has added an excitement to Franklin that is hard to match with her music playing, adorably painted, mobile ice cream truck.

“I used to joke that my dream job would be to retire as a little old lady and hand out ice cream around town and just deliver smiles. For years now I have joked about this, until a few months ago I thought ‘why not now?’” Whitley said.

Sweet Caroline’s Ice Cream Truck is available for weekday and weekend parties, festivals, business and neighborhood events. Call 828.526.6462.

Legal Aid opens Murphy office

Legal Aid of North Carolina recently announced that it has opened an office in Murphy.

According to Managing Attorney Suzanne Saucier, “Legal Aid has represented clients from Murphy to Manteo for decades. We’re excited to say that we now have a brick-and-mortar location in Murphy. This location will help us to improve service to Cherokee, Clay and Graham Counties.”

Legal Aid’s new office in Murphy is in a building on the grounds of St. William Catholic Church, at the corner of Hatchett Street and Andrews Road. Legal Aid will share the space with Catholic Charities, although the two entities are unrelated.

The Murphy office is a relocation of Legal Aid’s branch office in Hayesville, which it recently closed after 20 years in operation.

To apply for assistance, call 866.219.LANC or visit legalaidnc.org.