ChamberNewsletterVolume 70, Issue 4 September 25, 2015

717 Main StreetNorth Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659

(336) 838-8662www.wilkesnc.org

By LINDA CHEEKWilkes Chamber of Commerce President

T he cooler days and bril-liant colors are surely some of the main rea-sons for being outside

in Wilkes County in the fall. Festivals, concerts, ghost

tours, vineyards tours, county fairs, fishing, biking, disc golf and ballgames create an excitement that each of us enjoy and want to be a part of.

September and October in Wilkes County are filled with activity. It includes the last days of farmers’ produce being sold at open markets, local orchards peddling apple products, vine-

yards harvesting grapes through-out the Yadkin Valley and the celebration of farming displayed at the Wilkes County Agricul-tural Fair.

Fall in Wilkes County is proof that we do live in an agricultural haven.

Let’s take a look at few of the upcoming events scheduled for the later part of September and into October.

Carolina In the FallWilkesboro hosts a new event

being orchestrated by the Heart of Folk group, “Carolina in the Fall.”

This Wilkesboro event, fea-

turing the Kruger Brothers and an array of top performing art-ists from across the country, will be Sept. 25 and Sept. 26. This festival is one Wilkes citi-zens are privileged to be able to attend right in their own downtown, and also one that will bring hundreds of visitors to stay in our hotels, eat in area restaurants and spend money with local retailers.

Entertainment of this caliber isn’t often available in small rural communities and neither is this instant boost to our local economy.

Explore Wilkes this fall

By LINDA CHEEKWilkes Chamber of Commerce President

Exporting can be profitable for businesses of any size. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports businesses that export have a

means of growing faster sales, increased job creation, and higher salaries earned for employees than in non-exporting firms.

In a recent Minority Business Develop-ment Agency blog entitled, “Exporting is Good for Business,” it was reported that 70 percent of the world’s purchasing power

is located outside of the United States. The U.S. is known throughout the world

for high quality, innovative goods and services, customer service, and sound business practices.

The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the economic impact of exporting for the United States totaled $2.34 trillion in 2014 and exports are a growing a substantial part of the overall U.S. economy, accounting for 13.9 percent

Exporting: Good business for Wilkes

THE BRUSHY MOUNTAIN APPLE FESTIVAL draws a crowd to downtown North Wilkesboro each October.

US CHEMICAL STORAGE, an American owned and operated factory located in Wilkesboro, exports manufactured chemical storage buildings around the world.

See EXPLORE, Page 3

See EXPORTS, Page 7

2 • Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • September 25, 2015

Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Inc.2015 Board of Directors

OfficersName Title CompanyJ. Gene Faile Chair Elect 2015 Wilkes Regional Medical CenterBrent West Chair Elect 2016 Tyson Foods, Inc.Terrie Stackhouse Chair Elect 2017 Carolina Realty, Inc.Johann Louchez Past Chair BB&TShane Gebauer Treasurer Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, Inc.Charles Johnson Assistant Treasurer United Country-Johnson RealtyLaura Hubbard VP Ambassadors/Membership Wake Forest Baptist Health CareDr. Marty Hemric VP Education Wilkes County Board of EducationDennis Huggins VP Leadership Wilkes Wilkes County Board of EducationEric Cramer VP Youth Leadership Wilkes Communications, Inc.Jeff Foster VP Small Business Assistance Wilkes Community CollegeTerrian Carter VP Tourism/Quality of Life Addison PropertiesGinger Shaffer VP Workforce Development NCWorks Career CenterJimmy Flythe Executive Committee at Large Duke EnergyKeith Brown Executive Committee at Large CenturyLinkDirectorsKerry Dyer 2015 Board Member Worldwide Protective ProductsDon Easterling 2015 Board Member Lowe’s CompaniesSteve Ellis 2015 Board Member Fleet Master, Inc.Keith Brown 2015 Board Member CenturyLinkHaley Portante 2015 Board Member Portante Clan ConstructionShanna Bell 2016 Board Member Stroud Miller Insurance Co.Dr. Christy Brown 2016 Board Member The Hearing Center of WilkesJon Gambill 2016 Board Member Qdoba Mexican Grill & Sweet Frog YogurtDr. Bill Hanlin 2016 Board Member Wilkes County Cooperative ExtensionCharlie Silva 2016 Board Member Blue Skies HypnosisTerrian Carter 2017 Board Member Addison PropertiesDr. Jeffrey Cox 2017 Board Member Wilkes Community CollegeJeff Foster 2017 Board Member Wilkes Community CollegeDr. Marty Hemric 2017 Board Member Wilkes County Board of EducationGinger Shaffer 2017 Board Member NCWorks Career CenterBrent West 2017 Board Member Tyson Foods Inc.Ex-OfficioVictor Varela Mayor Town of RondaRobert Johnson Mayor Town of North WilkesboroMike Inscore Mayor Town of WilkesboroLarry South Town Manager Town of North WilkesboroKenneth Noland Town Manager Town of WilkesboroJohn Yates County Manager County of WilkesEddie Settle County Commissioner-Chair County of WilkesDan Little President Wilkes Economic DevelopmentDr. Marty Hemric Superintendent Wilkes County Board of EducationChamber StaffLinda Cheek President Wilkes Chamber of CommerceDana Zacharias Membership Director Wilkes Chamber of CommerceLynn Dyer Office Manager Wilkes Chamber of CommerceNatasha Brown Marketing and Communications Wilkes Chamber of CommerceNWNC Visitors CenterTreva Frazier Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of CommerceElla Rhodes Visitor Center Volunteer Coordinator Wilkes Chamber of CommerceWilliam Rhodes Visitor Center Volunteer Coordinator Wilkes Chamber of CommerceStacy McNeil Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of CommerceDonna Wood Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of CommerceBill Luck Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

New businesses, expansion are exciting times for Wilkes

While serving as the 2015 Chairman for the Wilkes Chamber Board of Directors, I have had the opportunity to visit many small businesses in Wilkes County. It has been a real privilege to meet such inspiring indi-viduals who were willing to take a risk and start their own business. The growth of small busi-ness continues in Wilkes County as we see many of these business own-ers join their chamber of commerce. The influx of new restaurants, retail-ers, and various service companies create new jobs while increasing the towns and county tax revenues. It is important for Wilkes citizens to shop locally and support our small businesses, helping them with their sustainability while enhancing their future business growth.

We are also seeing growth in folks relocating to Wilkes County. Over the last few weeks we have seen a great number of retirees come into the Chamber office to obtain informa-tion on our county. Many have said they had already purchased property and need a county map. Some, how-ever, indicate they are beginning their search for a place to retire and Wilkes County was being considered as one of their options. To attract the retir-ees and other visitors to Wilkes, the Chamber is focusing more and more on marketing efforts toward bringing folks in from out of state and even out of the country. The Chamber is partnering with VisitNC to host media writers and getting county attractions included in their published stories. The Chamber, through the financial assistance of the Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority, works with the High Country Host Marketing Part-nership to promote the county’s events and attraction in popular magazine articles, billboard, public transpor-

tation bus “advertising wraps” in Charlotte and Raleigh, ads on major radio stations across N.C., and Facebook and other social media ads. The staff prepares and mails packets out weekly to individuals who have requested local informa-tion as they are planning an upcoming visit or have decided to relocate to Wilkes. The information sent is all about marketing our county as it pertains

to the quality of life of our commu-nity, our schools and lifelong learning opportunities, healthcare availability, local shopping, entertainment, recre-ation, etc. Each time a visitor makes a call to the Chamber office, walks in the front door, or clicks on the Cham-ber websites; Wilkes County is being promoted as a great place to live and do business.

On the front page article of this newsletter, you will read about some of the upcoming events scheduled this fall in Wilkes County. Not only is the county truly beautiful as we watch the leaves of the Yadkin Valley and the surrounding mountains change into vibrant colors of autumn, but is also one of the most active this time of the year. Over the next few weeks multiple festivals, concerts, dramas, art exhibits, historical gatherings, and recreational events are scheduled throughout the county. This activity brings people to downtowns, winer-ies, museums, galleries, biking trails, campgrounds and other accommoda-tions. Visitors who make purchases, eat in restaurants, and sometimes make a conscious decision that Wilkes is the place they want to visit more often, relocate their business, or make their home. As citizens who care deeply about the growth of our county and success of our small businesses, let’s share our best “southern hospitality” and welcome these folks to Wilkes.

Gene FaileChamber Chairman

Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • September 25, 2015 • 3

Prearranged Funeral PlanningCemetery and MausoleumGrief Recovery Services

MonumentsFloral Arrangements Laminated Obituaries

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home838-3178

270 Armory Road • North Wilkesboro

Scenic Memorial Gardens667-6339

545 Moravian Falls Road • Wilkesboro

www.reinssturdivant.com

REINS-STURDIVANTScenic MeMorial GardenS

Old Fashion DayOn Sept. 26 on the grounds of beautiful

Stone Mountain State Park, Old Fashion Day will be celebrated.

Visitors will be treated with live dem-onstrations of heritage crafts, old timey music, hands on experiences, and loads of fun for the entire family.

Stone Mounta in, on more than 14,100 acres in Wilkes and Alleghany counties, offers cascading waterfalls and cool mountain streams, quiet for-ests abundant with wildlife, scenic hiking trails and a historic mountain homestead.

Wilkes Agricultural FairBeginning on Sept. 29, the North Wilkes-

boro Rotary Club hosts the Wilkes Agricul-tural Fair at the North Wilkesboro Rotary Fairgrounds.

The Rotar ians, working closely with the Wilkes Cooperative Exten-sion Service, provide a venue for a variety of displays and exhibitions to feature the county’s many natural resources.

Every effort is made to insure that the fair event appeals to all members of the family, where they can have fun and also participate in an educational outing.

In the exhibit hall, fair goers will see varieties of garden produce, canned goods, country crafts, baked goods, hand crafted quilts, livestock, and much more.

The Wilkes Cooperative Extension Service awards ribbons and cash prizes presented to winners in a variety of cat-egories. Most visitors come for the array of amusement park rides.

On the evening of Oct. 3, the Rotarians

host a lawn mower race. Racing enthu-siasts will love the fast paced exciting competition.

Brushy Mountain Apple Festival October 2 and 3 is a highlight of the

autumn season for thousands of festival goers.

The Br ushy Mou nta i n Ru r ita n Club’s annual Brushy Mountain Apple Festival is one of the largest one-day arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast.

The entertainment begins on the eve-ning of Friday, Oct. 2 with the Apple Jam at the Corner of Main and 10th streets with music starting at 6 p.m.

On Oct. 3, the streets of North Wilkes-boro come alive with over 425 arts and crafts, 100 food concessions, four differ-ent bluegrass, country, folk, gospel and Appalachian heritage.

Cloggers, folk dancers, rope skip-pers and square dancers prov ide additional entertainment venues for festival goers.

Appalachian Heritage crafts such as woodcarving, chair making, soap mak-ing, pottery throwing, and quilting are highlighted.

Come hungry as there is a large vari-ety of foods available that will entice anyone’s appetite. And, of course, there are apples. Local apple growers set up throughout the festival selling apples, apple cider, and varied apple products. This festival pays tribute to the fruit grown and harvested each fall by apple orchardists from Northwestern North Carolina.

For those who enjoy the fruit of the vine, there is an array of activities scheduled at area vineyards. Adagio, Bramabella, Elkin Creek, Jones Von Drehle, Menar-ick, McRitchey, Raffaldini, Roaring River, Shadow Springs, and Windsor Run vine-yards and wineries are located within

few miles of each other and each have events scheduled in September, October and beyond.

Music, art, festivals, chili cook-offs, tours, tastings and even a kid’s masquer-ade party are just a few of the exciting and delicious activities to enjoy.

Trail of TreatsOctober 31, Halloween Day, the annual

Trail of Treats will be held on the Yadkin River Greenway beginning at the West Park Trailhead. Bring the kids dressed in their favorite costumes to walk the trails and gather the treats. It’s free, safe and loads of fun.

Ghost ToursFor those who like to hear interesting

stories and experience a little scariness of Halloween, Wilkes Heritage Museum will be hosting Ghost Tours in Wilkesboro on Oct. 31. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., volunteer tour guides will lead participants who love history and mystery of the various ghostly locations. Call and make your reservations early as this is a popular event, 667-3171.

Wilkes Art Gallery Let’s not forget the cultural art! The Wilkes Art Gallery features the

“Depth Perceptions” exhibit in September and October.

This is an exhibit of paintings, sculpture and pastel by artists Kevin Aita, Craig Franz and Steve Zouflay.

Wilkes PlaymakersThe Wilkes Playmakers is presenting

“Where the Lilies Bloom” in September, a family friendly show that tells the story of Appalachian Mountain Life in the early 1960s as Mary Call Luther and her siblings struggle to overcome odds.

Magic of Bill BlaggThe Walker Center is host to “The

Magic of Bill Blagg,” a show packed with mind-blowing illusions make this show a great family event! Scheduled for Friday, Oct. 30, audience volunteers will levitate in mid-air, as others will vanish in the blink of an eye and so much more.

For a full schedule of events visit www.ExploreWilkes.com and click on the event calendar.

Get out and enjoy fall in Wilkes County. As the lyrics say in The Kruger Brothers

song, “In the picture of my mind I see as I think about it all, the color of the leaves of Carolina.”

Explorecontinued from Page 1

Next to Lowes Foods • Wilkesboro336-667-2257

www.brandjewelrync.com

4 • Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • September 25, 2015

TUMBLING SHOALS FARM own-ers Jason and Shiloh hosted a “Business After Hours” on Sept. 17. Chamber members enjoyed a wide variety of yummy peppers ranging from fresh to roasted from Tumbling Shoals Farm’s organic garden, served with many tasty treats. TUMBLING SHOALS FARM is located at 841 Sand Ridge Road, Millers Creek, in the bucolic valley beside Tumbling Shoals Creek. TUMBLING SHOALS FARM grows organic vegetables, fruits and cut flowers. For more information, call 336-452-2920 or visit the website www.tumblingshoalsfarm.com.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NORTH WILKESBORO celebrated the addition of a beau-tifully constructed portico with a ribbon cutting on Sunday, Sept. 13. In the photo are members of First Baptist Church, along with architect Keith Hubbard, contractor Rodney Shepherd, Pastor Nelson Granade and committee chairs. Cutting the ribbon at the celebration is Annette Battle in honor of her husband, the late John Battle, who was instrumental in the design and construction of the portico for First Baptist.

CUB CREEK KITCHENS AND BATHS Inc., owned by Neil and Kirstie Walsh, celebrated its grand opening at its new location, 309 Wilkesboro Ave., North Wilkesboro, with a ribbon cutting on Sept. 17. Cub Creek Kitch-ens and Baths offers counter top selections, cutouts, removing existing counters, installation, care and main-tenance. For more information, call 651-8983 or visit the website at www.cubcreekkitchensandbaths.com.

PSI–PENCARE SPECIALITY INTERIORS, owned by David and Linda Pennell, celebrated its opening at 312 Wilkesboro Avenue (Midtown Plaza) North Wilkes-boro, on Aug. 14. Pencare offers quality office solu-tions, including office supplies, office furniture, interior design, art, lamps and accessories. For more informa-tion, call 990-0774 or visit the website at http://www.pencarellc.com.

MAGIC VAPER, owned and operated by David and Angela Sparks, celebrated its opening with a ribbon cutting on June 17. Located in Wilkesboro at 1714 Winkler St., Magic Vaper offers hundreds of flavors of E-liquids, E-cigarettes, quit smoking, mods, etc. For more informa-tion call Magic Vaper at 667-8273 or visit the website at www.magicvaper.com.

Town of Historic North Wilkesboro

336-667-7129North-Wilkesboro.com

tourism@northwilkesboro.com

B U S I N E S S t o B U S I N E S S S E R V I C E S

WILKES JOURNAL-PATRIOTYour CommunitY newspaper sinCe 1906

P.O. BOx 70 • 711 Main Street nOrth WilkeSBOrO, nC 28659

Contact Advertising DepartmentNellie Archibald • Madelene Johnson • Sue Bucsek

wjpads@wilkes.net336-838-4117 Fax 336-838-9864

www.journalpatriot.com

Open Mondaythrough Friday

6 am-6 pm

1915 West Park Drive • Suite 200 North Wilkesboro 336-667-2541

Changing how you live, not where you live.Medicaid & VA approved www.wilkesadultdaycare.org

Carla Souther Hauser CFP, ChFC www.raymondjames.com/carlahauser

Financial Advisor CFP•ChFC®

Carla Souther Hauser Financial Services, An Independent Firm

336-667-1500Securities offered through

Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.,member FINRA/SIPC

carla.hauser@raymondjames.com100 9th • Suite A, PO Box 1021 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

(336) 667-1966Ex. 608Home: (336) 838-4060Mobile: (336) 984-8873email:tstackhouserealtor@gmail.com

www.stackhousehomes.com

Terrie Stackhouse, Broker Associate

Tammy R. Sidden

Call (336) 667-5125 For All Your Insurance Needs

Tammy.Sidden@ncfbins.com

AUTO • HOME • LIFE • HEALTH MOBILE (336) 957-1604FAX (336) 667-5129P.O.Box 486N. Wilkesboro, NC 28659

Blue Cross Blue ShieldBLUE ADVANTAGE

Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • September 25, 2015 • 5

Blue RidgeMedical Group

Our Wilkes

Welcoming New PatientsOffering Same Day Appointments

Walk-ins Are Welcome

Provider Spotlight:

Lisa Ball, NP-C Lisa H. Ball, NP-C is a Certified Adult-Geron-

tology Nurse Practitioner. She received her Associate Degree in Nursing in 1991 from Wilkes Community College. She worked as an RN, primarily in Wilkes County while raising three children. She returned to school in 2006 and obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in 2008, followed by obtaining her Master of Science Degree in Nursing in 2012.

Lisa is originally from New England, but moved to North Carolina in 1978 and married a Wilkes County native. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and painting.

Lisa Ball, NP-CCertified Adult-Gerontology

Nurse Practitioner

Cardiology, Sleep Medicine, Internal Medicine & Family Medicine

Visit our website at: www.blueridgemd.com

Hours: Monday–Friday from 8:30 am–5:00 pm1909–1912 West Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659

(336) 667-1001

Jan Kriska, MDBoard Certified Sleep Medicine

Board Certified Internal MedicineBoard Certified in Lipidology

Michelle Wilson, FNP-CCertified Family Nurse Practitioner

Tomas Vybiral, MDBoard Certified Cardiology

Board Certified Internal MedicineFellow American College of Cardiology

BRAME HUIE PHARMACY

• Professional, Friendly Staff• Free Local Delivery• Drive-Thru Available• After Hours Service• Complimentary Soft Drink While You Wait

Committed to personal service

Monday-Friday 8:30 AM to 6:30 PMSaturday 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM

336-838-89881920 WEST PARK DRIVE, NORTH WILKESBORO, NC

www.bramehuiepharmacy.com

The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce welcomes Dana Zacharias as the new member-ship director.

Through her passion of being able to encourage and empower people to be successful, Dana has played an extremely active role in helping our community the past few years.

She has served in the areas

of workforce development, domestic violence, rape cri-sis, mentoring families out of poverty and drug abuse prevention.

Dana is a native of Custer, South Dakota, but considers Wilkes County her home after 12 years.

Dana has four children: Jes-sica, Joshua, Janae and Josiah.

The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce welcomes Natasha Brown as its new marketing and communications director.

Natasha has a bachelor of science degree in psychology with a concentration in human services from Appalachian State University.

The birth of Natasha’s son, Raidyn, took her career in another direction.

In an effort to capture and preserve the most magical,

every day moments Natasha turned to photography.

Professionally, she is known as Natasha Lynn Photogra-phy and she has been serving Wilkes and the surrounding areas as a wedding, senior and portrait photographer since January 2011.

Natasha is a native of Wilkes County and enjoys helping local businesses grow and flourish by utilizing effective marketing strategies.

Zacharias new membership director

Brown is new marketing director

Dana Zacharias

Natasha Brown

6 • Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • September 25, 2015

Next to Lowes Foods • Wilkesboro

336-667-2257www.brandjewelrync.com

The following renewed their Wilkes Chamber mem-berships as of Aug. 3, 2015.

Addison Properties Inc., Airgas National Welders, Aunt B’s Attic, Brushy Mountain Farm & Orchard, Carolina Mountain Life Inc., Communities In Schools of Wilkes Inc.;

DHHS Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Eden House Floral, Events & Massage LLC, Edward Jones Investments-Wilkesboro, Embroider America, Empire Chevrolet Buick, Farm Bureau-North Wilkesboro, Fast Med Urgent Care, Fleet Master Inc., Foothills Sanita-tion & Recycling Inc., Goodwill Career Connections , Goodwill Industries of NWNC, High Country Workforce Development Board;

Interconnect Products and Services Inc., jhDesign

Works, Jimmie Johnson Air & Heat, Jones von Drehle Vineyards LLC, Kearey Builders, Keller Electric Co. Inc.;

Laurel Ridge Camp, Conference & Retreat, LifeSkills Inc., McLean Floor Coverings, Merrill Lynch-Norman Young Group, Moravian Falls Family Campground, North Carolina Mountain Investments LLC, Northwest General Insurance Agency LLC, Northwestern Regional Housing Authority, Patton Insurance Agency Inc.;

PPG Industries Inc., Radford Quarries Inc., Reins Co. Inc., Sherrill Faw Realty LLC, State Employees Credit Union, Treat Hardwood Lumber LLC, Ultimate Carwash, Victory Hyundai, Waggles Pet Supply & Dog Wash, WCC-Basic Skills, Wilkes Bridal Association, Wilkes County 4-H, Wilkes Family YMCA, Wilkes Income Tax Service Inc. and Window World Foothills.

Thank you to our 110 percent membership investors.4 Seasons Vacation Rentals & Sales, The Account-

ing Office, Adagio Vineyards LLC, Addison Properties, Airgas National Welders, Albert Brown Electric, Allstate Insurance-Tonda Phillips, Amanda Bailey Hamby-Real-tor, B & R Service, Ball & Ball Enterprises Inc., Basic Finance Inc., Bayada Home Health Care, BB&T Scott & Stringfellow, BB&T-Wilkesboro;

Belk No. 233, Blair Properties LLC, Blue Chip Associ-ates, Blue Ridge Learning Center Inc., Blue Ridge Moun-tain Club, Blue Skies Hypnosis Center LLC, Bojangles #629, Botanics Trading LLC, Brame Huie Pharmacy, Brock & Scott PLLC, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Inc.;

Brushy Mountain Dental Clinic-Dr. Chris Roberts, Terry Bumgarner, Cagney’s Kitchen of Wilkesboro, Con-ley Call, Camp Harrison at Herring Ridge, Campbell Roofing Inc., Captain Video & Tanning Salon, Cardinal FG Company Inc., Carousel Cafe, CenturyLink, Children’s Hope Alliance, City Florist, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Debo Cornett-Realtor, Covington Way LLC, CrossRoads Harley-Davidson, Cube Creative, Cutting Edge Lawn Care, DAVHENCO Inc., Dazzle Dog Pet Grooming LLC, Deal Insurance Group Inc.;

Dreams and Kitestrings Inc., Dwight Phillips Auto Sales, Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home, Eckerd Youth Alternatives Inc., Edward Jones Investments-Wilkesboro, Empire Chevrolet Buick, Farm Bureau Insurance-Wilkesboro, Fast Med Urgent Care, Faw Insurance Agency Inc., Fleet Master Inc., Foothills Auto Spa, Foothills Sanitation & Recycling Inc., Forbes Printing, Frog Holler Cabins, Gardner Glass Products, Goodwill Industries of NWNC, Green 2 Go LLC, H&R Block, Vaughn Hayes, The Hearing Center of Wilkes, Holly Mtn. Enterprises, Holly Mtn. IGA;

Home Instead Senior Care, Dennis Huggins, Jan Huggins, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, “I Can” Pediatric Therapies LLC, Impact Collision Center Inc., InfusionPoints LLC, Interconnect Products and Services Inc. , Insurance Services & Credit, Ivy Ridge Traditions, James R. Vannoy & Sons Construction Co. Inc., James River Equipment Company, Jefferson Landing Club, jhDesignWorks, Jimmy Johnson Air & Heat, The Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, Johnny Huffman Plumbing Co. Inc, Robert Johnson, Jones von Drehle Vineyards LLC, Leading to Change Inc., Learning Pathway Tutoring,

Libby’s Boutique, LifeSkills Inc., LifeStore Insurance & Mortgage, LP-Louisiana Pacific Corporation;

Mary Kay Cosmetic/Melissa Hamby, MBI Builders LLC, Donna McNeil, Mike McNeil, Connie McNeill, David McNeill, Medcost, MenaRick Vineyard & Winery LLC, Michael’s Jewelry, Miller Bee Supply Inc., Millers Creek Pharmacy, Moravian Falls Family Campground, Miller Funeral Service Inc., Mountain Valley Hospice & Pallia-tive Care, Myers Tire Service Inc., North Carolina Moun-tain Investments LLC, Northwest General Insurance Agency LLC, Northwestern Fire Protection Inc., North-western Regional Housing Authority, Oakwoods Grocery, OrthoCarolina, PA- Wilkes, Perry Lowe Orchards LLC, Pinnacle Architecture, PA, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Radford Quarries Inc., Red Carpet Inn, Reins Co. Inc., R.H. Bar-ringer Distributing Co. Inc., Robert Handy Camping Inc.;

Rose Glen Village, Run In Foods #809, SCORE, Shephard’s Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., Sherrill Faw Realty LLC, Sherwin-Williams Company, SouthEast Commercial Real Estate, Specialty Car Company Inc., Spectrum Business, Sports Construction Manage-ment Inc., Springleaf Finance Management, Terrie Stackhouse-Realtor, Staples, Steam Systems Inc., Larry and Diane Stone, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Subway of Wilkesboro, Suncrest Farms Country Hams Inc.;

Sundry Works Group Inc., SunTrust Bank, Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt, Ted’s Famous Kickin Chicken, TENTEN Thai, The Tribune, Tilley’s Auto Sales LLC, Tony Huffman Insur-ance Inc., Town of Ronda, Treat Hardwood Lumber LLC, Tyson Wilkesboro Food Service, Ultimate Carwash, Uni-verse of Science Inc., US Cellular, Valley Radiology Asso-ciates PA, Vannoy, Colvard, Triplett, & Vannoy PLLC, VFW Post 1142 Campground, W.A. Lankford Company Inc.;

The Walker Center, Linda Wehrmann-Realtor, West-wood Hills Nursing & Rehab Center, Whippoorwill Vil-lage, Charles and Mary White, Wilkes Art Gallery, Wilkes Circles of Care, Wilkes Community Foundation, Wilkes County 4-H, Wilkes County Crime Stoppers, Wilkes Family YMCA, Wilkes Income Tax Service Inc., Wilkes iTalk, Wilkes Literacy, Wilkes Security, Wilkes Steel Inc., Wilkes YMCA Express, Wilkesboro Fire Department, Window World Inc., Window World Foothills, Woodfield Oaks Apartments LLC, Woodhaven Family Restaurant & Catering, Yadkin Bank-North Wilkesboro, Yadkin River Greenway Council and Yadtel Publishing.

110% membership investors listed

Chamber members renew memberships

Friends of W. Kerr Scott Lake499 Reservoir RoadWilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 921-3390

Flying Crown, LLC3686 Germantown RoadMoravian Falls, N.C. 28654(336) 928-0498

Nu-Line Inc.1021 North Bridge StreetElkin, N.C. 28621(336) 835-6900

Radford Quarries, Inc.P.O. Box 2071Boone, N.C. 28607(336) 921-2711

WCC—Basic Skills CenterP.O. Box 120Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 667-6493

Integrity Security Inc.P.O. Box 1720N. Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659(336) 990-0486

Stoney Creek Therapeutic Massage209 A 10th StreetN. Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659(336) 990-0910

Cornerstone Creations149 Hunter Hills St.N. Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659(336) 957-6191

Welcome to our new Chamber members

Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • September 25, 2015 • 7

Ask about our BUSINESS SERVICE 973-3103 • wilkes.net

Local People, Local ServiceNow off ering

ULTRA-FAST Fiber Optic Plans

Exportcontinued from Page 1

of our national GDP. U.S. jobs supported by exports in 2014

were 11.7 million, up 1.8 million since 2009. In North Carolina, goods exported from

the state supported more than 164,000 jobs. A total of 10,582 companies exported goods and of those, 9,233 (87.3 percent) were small to medium size enterprises with fewer than 500 employees.

North Carolina’s export shipments of merchandise in 2014 totaled $31.4 billion with the largest market being Canada, $6.8 billion which represented 21.7 percent of the state’s total. Our state’s largest mer-chandise export category is chemicals at $5.7 billion in 2014. Other merchandise exported includes machinery, electrical, transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, and textiles and fabrics.

Wilkes County has several small and medium size companies currently export-ing merchandise all over the world. These products include such merchandise as lumber, textiles, roots and herbs, beekeep-ing supplies, exterior siding, furniture, saw mill equipment, chemical storage units, kid’s educational products and even chicken feet.

The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce pro-vides its seal to authenticate certificate of origin forms, a form that includes informa-tion about the exporter and importer, the description and harmonized tariff code of the goods, and the country of origin.

These certificates are usually prepared by the exporter and signed by the local chamber of commerce.

The importer is heavily dependent upon the assistance and cooperation of its U.S. suppliers in producing accurate and well-documented declarations of origin.

Wilkes County-based companies are involved in exporting products, but there

are many other manufacturers produc-ing merchandise that could easily be exported.

This added market could increase their opportunity to grow sales and increase the creation of jobs.

North Carolina offers great workshops and resources to assist any size company with exporting.

A link to those resources is printed below. Think of your possibilities.

Export.gov, N.C. Resources: http://export.gov/northcarolina/otherncre-sources/index.asp

State exports for North Carolina, the Census Bureau: http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/state/data/nc.html

The North Carolina District Export Coun-cil: http://www.ncdec.us/about-us.html

North Carolina Department of Agri-culture and Consumer Services: http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/international/NCAgExportStatistics.htm

North Carolina Department of Com-merce: http://www.nccommerce.com/

Manufacturing Exports, Industrial Exten-sion Services, N.C. State: http://www.ies.ncsu.edu/about/manufacturing-matters/manufacturing-export/

ACCORDING TO the U.S. Department of Commerce, the economic impact of exports was $2.34 trillion in 2014.

8 • Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • September 25, 2015

Top 10 Reasons to Becomea Chamber Member

1) Make new business contacts.2) Market your products and services.3) Increase the value of communication

technology.4) Invest in a healthy economy—Promote

Wilkes County.5) Heighten your company’s visibility.

6) Support education in Wilkes.

7) Gain a voice in government.8) Save your company money.9) GET INVOLVED!

10) Enhance your professional skills.