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Welcome to the
Land of Waterfalls
MOVE UP to a higher elevation where business,
pure natural resour ces,
small town charm, global connectivity and world class
culture meet.
Thanks to today's technology you don't have to work in an
area with declining water or air quality, rising crime rates
or bumper-to-bumper city traffic and be content with a
quality of life only on vacations. "Transylvania" in Latin
means "across the woods" and is also known as the "Land of
Waterfalls" with over 250 waterfalls in the county.
Success Story
|
White Squirrel Shoppe To Celebrate 20th
Anniversary |
Twenty-five years
ago, Donna Stout retired from a career in outdoor
recreation,
 operating
as a professional wilderness guide in Minnesota, Florida and
elsewhere. She moved to Brevard to enjoy the climate and
lifestyle in Western North Carolina, but her retirement
lasted less than two years.
"I enjoyed the outdoor recreational opportunities here and I
still do, but I just felt that I needed a new challenge. So
I found some space and opened a gift shop where the Jordan
Street Café is now located," Donna says. "One day there were
two white squirrels chasing each other in the lot next door,
a friend of mind and I looked at each other, and that was it
-- the White Squirrel Shoppe was born."
Later on, Donna moved the store to its present location at
the corner of Broad and Main Streets, and the Shoppe will be
celebrating its 20th anniversary in November. "It will be
real-time party time," Donna laughs, "with music,
refreshments, free gift with purchase and - get this - 20
percent off on all merchandise!"
Donna was named the County's 2008 Retailer of the Year at
the Chamber of Commerce's Business Apprecia tion
luncheon on September 4. It not only recognized her success
in retailing, but her renovation and management of the Cedar
Mountain Business Park that she purchased about five years
ago. The park is now the home of seven additional businesses
- Sylvan Sport, Waterfall Art Gallery, Tangles Beauty Salon,
Stew's Heating & Air Conditioning, Computer Tech Squad,
Mountain Living Realty and the White Squirrel Wholesale
Warehouse.
|
Donna
receives award from Jason Chappell, Chairman of the
County Commissioners. In the background is Tad
Fogel, Economic Development Advisory Board Chairman. |
There's even more to this story of entrepreneurial
achievement. Donna also owns two rental cabins near the
DuPont State Forest. One, built in 1917, is being renovated
and will soon become a three bedroom, three bath cabin.
When asked what is behind her success in business, Donna
replies, "A lot of hard work and dedication, having
outstanding people working with me, and a philosophy that if
it's not fun, don't do it!"
Donna can be contacted at the
squirrel@citcom.net or by visiting
www.whitesquirrelshoppe.com.
What's New in Business
|
COUNTY
RECOGNIZES BUSINESS ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
Four County businesses were honored for their achievements
at a Business Appreciation Luncheon held on September 4.
Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and Transylvania
County, the event featured presentations of special awards
in four categories:
Retailer of the Year: Donna Stout,
proprietor of the White Squirrel Shoppe, celebrating its
20th year in business, and also owner of the Cedar Mountain
Business Park.
Entrepreneur of the Year: Tom
Dempsey, president of Sylvan Sport, designer and producer of
the "GO" mobile adventure trailer.
Manufacturer of the Year: Janet and
Dick Grey, owners of Genie Products, a
producer of precision replacement parts for the metalizing
industry.
| Jason Chappell (center)
congratulates Janet and Dick Grey on being named
Manufacturer of the Year. |
Chairman's Choice: WSQL - White Squirrel Radio,
and the 16 individuals who bought the station and moved it
to downtown Brevard. more
|
BRING
YOUR OWN BUSINESS (BYOB) |
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
| Michael Singer, the
Davidson River Village project director (right),
discusses the demolition and construction plans for
the former Ecusta property with Greg Gorgone, the
new General Manager of the Holiday Inn Express on
Asheville Highway in Brevard.
|
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.
more
Experience the Lifestyle
|
APPEARING
IN OCTOBER AT THE PORTER CENTER |
Carlos Pérez, Guitar
Sunday, October 5 at 3:00 pm
Tickets: $25/$20 adults $10 students
East Village Opera Company
Saturday, October 11 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $35/$28 adults $10 students
Chiara Civello
Saturday, October 25 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $25/$20 adults $10 students |
Raul Midón
Thursday, October 30 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $25/$20 adults $10 students |
For more information or to reserve tickets contact the box
office at 828-884-8300 or email:
boxoffice@brevard.edu.
October 13 - November 14 -
Transylvania Art Guild
The Transylvania Community Arts Council will feature works
by local members of the Transylvania Art Guild. The gallery
is open Monday - Friday from 10 am - 4 pm. Reception -
October 24 during Brevard's 4th Friday Gallery Walk.
October 24 - Brevard's 4th Friday Gallery Walk
Enjoy an evening stroll in downtown Brevard as you
enjoy visiting the art galleries, art stores, retail stores
and restaurants that are staying open late from 5-9 pm.
For more information visit
www.tcarts.org
or call 884-2787.
October 25 - Halloweenfest in downtown Brevard
The street festival begins at 10:00 am. You'll find
plenty of fun for
the family: Crafts, Music, Food, Pumpkin Bowling, Cookie
Decorating, The Little Blue Choo, Inflatables, Ghoulish
Golf, Costume Parade, a Spooky Hay Maze and trick or
treating for the kids.
The Brevard Rotary Club's annual "Flight of the Vampire" 5K
Race will start at 5:30 pm.
For more information visit
www.brevardnc.org or
call (828) 884-3278.
Website Resources
Custom Trip Planning and
Packaging Service
When thinking about
visiting Transylvania County for a potential busines s
relocation, branch location or a new start-up, we will help
you plan your visit while saving you time and money. Package
planning is based on your need and may include business site
visits, meetings with planning/permitting officials,
accommodations, dining and local attractions. Combine a
business exploratory trip with your vacation. Call
828-884-3205 and ask for Mark Burrows or email
econdev@transylvaniacounty.org.
Business Book of the Month
Transylvania County Library Choice - "How To
Write A Business Plan," by Mike McKeever,
2004. Business plan book comes with CD.
Quote Of the Month
"I've learned that the only way you
are going to get anywhere in life is to work hard at it.
Whether you're a musician, a writer, an athlete or a
businessman, there is no getting around it. If you set
goals, focus on them and work hard, you'll win - if you
don't follow those steps, you won't be a winner."
Bruce Jenner - Olympic Gold Medalist
Meetings
Economic Development Advisory
Board - The next EDAB meeting will be Thursday,
October 9, 2008 at 8:00 AM in the DSS 2nd floor conference
room.
Planning Board - The next regular Planning
Board meeting will be Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 7:00 PM
in the Community Services Building.
The final citizen input session will be held Thursday,
October 2 at 7:00 PM in the Transylvania County Library
Rogow Room. All residents of Transylvania County are
encouraged to attend.
| Date |
Place |
Time |
| October 2 |
Transylvania County Library |
7:00 PM |
|
|
photo courtesy of Rich Stevenson
www.ncwaterfalls.com
|
