What's New In Business

An update on the progress underway at the Davidson River Village project was one of three topics covered at the first in a series of “Bring Your Own Business” meetings begun September 24 at the Transylvania County Library.

Michael Singer, project director for Renova Partners, owners and developers of the former Ecusta site, told the audience of about 45 local business representatives and residents that the demolition of buildings at the former Ecusta site was progressing on schedule and should take about 12 months to complete. The demolition contractor is recycling as many materials as possible, and remediation process is being closely monitored by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the NC State Department of Environment & Natural Resources. Singer also displayed an initial overall development plan for the site that will feature a mixture of commercial and residential areas, with underground parking, greenspace, parks and walking trails.

“The presentation was very informative,” according to Greg Gorgone, the new General Manager at the Holiday Inn Express on Asheville Highway. “It’s great to have a forum like this where a developer is willing to interact with the business community and residents. I believe the project is going to become a real landmark for the Brevard and Pisgah Forest areas and will have a positive, long-term impact on economic development in the County.”

The other presentations that morning were by Susan Stromberg, vice president development at Brevard College, on current events and new programs at the college, and by Sue Curtis, president of Sue Curtis Consulting, on positive methods for improving employee performance.

Bring Your Own Business sessions are jointly sponsored by Blue Ridge Community College, the Transylvania/Brevard Chamber of Commerce, the Heart of Brevard and the County Planning & Economic Development Department. Food and beverages at the initial meeting were sponsored by Docks Restaurant.

 Future sessions will continue to combine informational topics with ideas and tips for business development and improvement. The next meeting will be October 22 and will feature (1) a “meet the candidates” session involving David Guice and Tom Thomas, candidates for a NC House of Representatives seat in the November elections, and (2) a presentation and discussion on computer security – “Defending Against Computer Attack” – by Paul Parker, President of Carolina Information Technology Resource Corporation, a high-technology service company located in Brevard.

For further information, contact Gary Heisey at BRCC – gary_heisey@blueridge.edu.