Fly Fishing (2)
February 29, 2012 at 03:13pm
Partnership Praise – The Best Businesses In Town!
We are very fortunate to have a wonderful group of businesses partnering with the Chamber in 2012. Our partners allow us to bring to our membership small business seminars at low to no cost, Concerts on the Creek, our annual Picnic, the Stonewall Challenge Golf Tournament, our Holiday Party, and fun new things we offer on our website. We really could not offer all the things we do without our partners. If you see these folks in the community, please tell them ‘Thanks’!
Platinum Partners:
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel- www.harrahs.com. Brooks Robinson
Bear Lake Reserve – www.bearlakereserve.com. Joey Laughridge
Diamond Partner:
F. Patrick McGuire, DDS – www.startsmilingtoday.com. Patrick & Jeanne McGuire
Stanberry Insurance – www.stanberry-ins.com. Kevin & Scott Stanberry
Gold Partners-
America’s Home Place – www.americashomeplace.com/cashiers. Stacy Buchanan
Champion Credit Union – www.championcu.com. Mike Clayton
Zaxbys – www.zaxbys.com. Jim Rodgers
Good Numbers!
In January, relocation inquires to the Chamber doubled as compared to 2011. Occupancy tax revenues were up 23% in December over the previous year. Walk-in traffic to the visitor center and Chamber during the 2011 year increased by 3.5%. In January of the new year, walk-in traffic to the center was up 5% over the previous year. We are always trying new things to bring more traffic to our website and into Jackson County. Our mobile app launched in October of 2011 and our online visitor guide continues to be very popular and is downloaded thousands of times each year. We feel like the economy IS moving in the right direction and we are going to continue to market all of Jackson County and do everything we can to increase business. Stay tuned!
Harrah’s Cherokee becomes full-scale resort
Can you believe it has been 15 years since Harrah’s opened in Jackson County? An economic impact study completed in June of 2011 stated that Harrah’s is the largest private tourist attraction in North Carolina. About 3.6 million people visit the casino each year, with more than 2/3’s of the gaming revenues coming from out-of-state visitors. When a $633 million dollar expansion is completed later this year, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel will have a new Brio restaurant, Ruth Chris Steakhouse and five-star Mandera Spa. Harrah’s Event Center is also the host site for the MedWest Gala each year, which raises money for specific equipment or projects at MedWest Harris Hospital in Sylva.
Get Ready for Dr. Belcher!
David O. Belcher will be formally installed as the new Chancellor of Western Carolina University on March 29th. There are numerous activities and events all week surrounding the Installation Ceremony. There will be many people visiting Jackson County that have never been here before. Let’s all be ready to make a good impression and welcome Dr. and Mrs. Belcher formally into our hearts and into this community. Clean up your storefronts, offer discounts for WCU patrons, dress your business in purple and gold, participate in the activities that will be happening all week, and most importantly – embrace the guests we have visiting. We want them to return to Jackson County and the best way to ensure this is by helping their experience be positive. Let’s all put our best foot forward as WCU moves into the future with a new Chancellor. Thank you to Western Carolina University for employing people from Jackson County, for bringing thousands of people each year to our area through sporting events , concerts and educational outreach, and for increasing our population by about 10,000 people each fall with the arrival of students. We appreciate Western and the huge economic impact it has on our county. Thank you WCU!
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory lands Harrah’s
The Dillsboro Chocolate Factory and Harrah’s Cherokee have teamed up to offer Harrah’s guests delicious sweet treats made right here in Jackson County. Bob Williams of the Chocolate Factory stated, ‘We are appreciative of Harrah’s desire to keep it local. In this day and age, it is easy to outsource products like we make to cheap foreign companies”. The Dillsboro based business will be providing chocolates, truffles, shooters, fudge and peanut brittle. Hooray for Harrah’s for doing business with a local company and Hooray for the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory for this excellent customer expansion!
Blue Ridge Parkway Visitation is Up
The Blue Ridge Parkway saw an increase in popularity in 2011 with a 6% rise in visitation over 2010. The Parkway, which stretches 469 miles from Cherokee to Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, is still the most visited of all 397 parks in the national system. Did you know the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway is in Jackson County?! Yes indeed, the Richland Balsam Overlook – get out and explore your own backyard this spring!
Stonewall Challenge Is Back
The Chamber has been producing the Stonewall Challenge Golf Tournament for 21 years. We’re really fortunate to have High Hampton as our partner again this year – thank you to Clifford Meads of High Hampton! A portion of the tournament proceeds fund the Chamber’s annual Community Grant Program. The Chamber has given back more than $87,000 to non-profit organizations over the past 14 years, including two different scholarships at SCC and WCU, totaling $40,000. Each year, two (2) deserving graduates of the Jackson County School System apply and receive a $1000 scholarship to either school. The Chamber believes in reinvesting in the community, and the people who live and work here. Thanks for giving us this opportunity by participating in our annual Stonewall Challenge Golf Tournament. We would love to have your team sign up and enjoy us for a terrific day on the immaculate greens of High Hampton on April 25th. We will be happy to mail you a registration brochure or you can download it directly from our site,
Tips for Getting your Business Noticed
· Post a Hot Deal Coupon on www.mountainlovers.com
· Add your key words on www.mountainlovers.com
· Add your Facebook page link on www.mountainlovers.com
· Refresh your supply of printed brochures at the Chamber office
· Become a Partner and get more exposure at all Chamber events
· Attend a small business seminar and learn something new
· Sponsor a hole at the Stonewall Challenge Golf Tournament and be seen!
· Network at the next Chamber function – you’ve got to show up!
New Members!
We’re continuing to grow!
Since the end of December, we have had 16 businesses join:
Alexander’s Property Service, 506-9551
Balsam Mountain Preserve, 452-3456
Caney Fork General Store, 293-7032
Country Side Bowling Lanes, www.countrysidebowling.com
El Patron Mexican Restaurant, 586-8805
Home Away Solutions, 293-7032
Justice Clean Care, 293-3329
Liar’s Bench Theater, 399-3653
Stephanie Manka, CPA, 586-0134
Patron Mike Clampitt, 736-6222
Patron Joe Sam Queen, www.joesamqueen.com
R&R Landscaping, 342-8877
Robbie’s Burger, 586-2723
Sylvan Hearth Pagan Temple, www.sylvahearth.com
Tent Masters, 506-8480
We appreciate each member of the Chamber. Thank you for having a business in Jackson County! We look forward to seeing you at the next small business seminar or Chamber Business After Hours event.
Stay connected on...
November 22, 2011 at 01:39pm
November 21-
Kunalini Yoga w/ Bob Bauer– 5:30-7:30, Fusions Spa & Healing Center– 96 West Sylva Shopping Area– 828-631-0232
Game Night @ City Lights Café & Bookstore– 6:00– 8:00pm– Call for details– 828-587-2233
November 22-
City Lights Café– Tuesday Takeover– 12:00pm– closing– Design your own Crepes-Savory- $7.95– Sweet- $5.95
Thanksgiving Lunch @ the Senior Center– 5:00pm in the Heritage Room @ the JC Department on Aging Senior Center– 100 County Services Park, Sylva. Bring your favorite Thanksgiving side dish to share w/ others! RSVP before 5:00 if you plan to attend. 828-586-4944
November 23-
Capital Christmas Tree- /the National Christmas Tree will make a stop @ the Cherokee Fairgrounds– 11:00 am– 3:00 pm.
November 24-
HAPPY THANKSGIVING from our Families to yours!!!
The Polar Express– The Polar Express runs until December 24– Contact The Great Smoky Mountain Railroad for times and price. 800-872-4681– De-parts from Bryson City Depot.
November 25-26-
Hard Candy Christmas– 24th annual Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts Show @ the WCU Ramsey Center. $3.00 per person/Children under 12 free, 10:00am-5:00pm
Graham County Artisans Drive About– Self guided tour of Graham County artists studios & galleries. Detailed maps available @ the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center– 10:00am-5:00pm each day
November 26-
Holiday Spa-rkle @ Fusions– Fusions staff invites you by for cookies & something warm to drink! 10% off Spa services you purchase that day. 10:30 am– 2:30 pm
Story Time for Kids– City Lights Bookstore– 11:00am– FREE
Event at Country Traditions– Join us for a cooking demo using the products we sell in the shop. 5:00pm-7:00pm– call for information 828-586-1600
November 27
Moscow’s Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker– Smoky Mountain Center for the performing Arts– Franklin– 2 Shows– 2:30 & 7:30 $30.00 admission.
Stay connected on...