Quarterly Newsletter, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
January 30, 2009, Volume 5, Number 1
The Official Publication of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
Tom Bishop, Executive Director
Quarterly Newsletter
Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
January 30, 2009, Volume 5, Number 1
The Official Publication of the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce
Tom Bishop, Executive Director
For questions call 276-694-6012 Office, or 276-692-6174 Mobile
E-Mail: patcchamber@embarqmail.com For More information check out our web site: www.patrickchamber.com
Customer Service Workshops Planned
Customer Service Workshops are being offered free of charge to residents of Patrick County for the purpose of developing workforce skills in our community. A certificate will be given to all residents who participate in the three sessions. They will be held on Feb. 3, Feb. 24, and Mar. 5 at the Community Building in Stuart. Sponsors include, Patrick County Education Foundation, Workforce Career Center, Patrick County, Patrick Henry Community College, Patrick County Schools, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Stuart, and Primland Resort. To register, call 276-694-6542.
Motivational Seminar Offered by the Patrick County Social Services Department
A seminar, “Motivating Yourself To Excellence�, will be offered to the public by the Patrick County Social Services Department on Feb. 17, 2009, 9:00am-4:00pm, in the Motorsport’s Auditorium at the Patrick Henry Community College, in Stuart. For more information call 276-694-3328, ext. 2093 or ext. 2090.
Bennett’s Baskets and Bows decorates for Chamber Banquet
Gail Bennett of Bennett’s Baskets and Bows from Danbury, NC, decorated our banquet hall on Friday night, January 23rd and did a fantastic job! Thanks Gail, what a show!
New Members Reported as of January 30, 2009
The following new members have been added since the last newsletter:
• Mayberry Presbyterian Church-Meadows of Dan
• Hamm’s Garage-Stuart
• Williams Auction Co. LLC, Martinsville
• Corner House Bed and Golf-Stuart
• Infinity Acres, LLC-Ridgeway
• American Legion Post 105-Stuart
Welcome to all our new members!
WHEO Radio Hosts Chamber Morning show
WHEO radio in Stuart, VA, 1270AM, provides a monthly radio talk show each month with Tom Bishop, Executive Director sharing the latest Chamber news. For February the date is Wednesday, Feb. 18, 8:15am-9:00am. The popular morning talk show host is Mr. Richard Rogers.
Free Employer’s Breakfast
The Workforce Career Center in Stuart, VA is providing a free Employer’s Country Breakfast at 7:00am, Feb. 23, at the John D. Hooker Memorial Building in Stuart. Call Wanda Whitlow, at 276-694-6542 for those who are interested. Food prepared by Amy Fain of “Livin’ 2 Cook�. Guest Speaker is Bill Goad from Virginia Transformers of Roanoke, VA. Other sponsors are Patrick County Public Schools, Patrick County Education Foundation, Patrick County Chamber of Commerce, County of Patrick, Patrick Henry Community College, and the West Piedmont Workforce Investment Board.
Recent Chamber Events
Nov. 12, Entrepreneur Workshop in Stuart
Dec. 4, Ribbon Cutting at the new Aerial Machine plant at Ararat
Dec. 11, Business After Hours at The Homestead at Critz
Dec. 18, Ribbon Cutting a the new offices of Piedmont Community Services, Patrick Springs
Tourism Advisory Council and JEB Stuart Preservation Trust at Music Association
The Tourism Advisory Council provided a Tourism information table at the Christmas Show of the Patrick County Music Association Jamboree on Dec. 20. In addition, the JEB Stuart Preservation Trust provided an information table and numerous volunteers dressed in Civil War Period costumes and greeted the attendees. Craft demonstrations by a quilter (Charlotte Gardner) and spinner (Leslie Shelor) was an additional attraction.
Patrick County Unemployment Rate Jumps
Patrick County, Virginia's jobless rate for October 2008 was 6.8%. For November 2008 it was 8.2%.
Verizon Wireless constructs new tower
Verizon Wireless has installed a new cell phone tower near Stuart, VA, close to U. S. Route 58 and the Town of Stuart. It went into service on Dec. 30, 2008. This has expanded coverage for Verizon, U. S. Cellular and Alltel customers as well. On January 16, Verizon Wireless acquired Alltel Wireless in a deal which is valued at over $28 billion. This allows Verizon to become the largest wireless carrier with almost 84 million customers. Additional Verizon towers are expected to be erected in Patrick and Henry Counties, which should greatly expand coverage.
Tom Bishop Gives Report on 2008 at the Chamber Banquet
Tom gave an update on the status of the Chamber and business conditions in Patrick County, VA for 2008 at the Annual Banquet. The net gain in new members in 2008 was 30, with a total membership of 325 as of December 31st.
What’s new for our businesses?:
•A new multimillion dollar lodge, restaurant, observatory continues in construction at Primland Resort with an expected completion of Spring-Summer 2009.
•New construction in Patrick County included Surrey Bank and Trust office, Wendy’s Restaurant, Advance Auto Parts, Piedmont Community Services, Patrick Country Schools construction project, housing developments underway by Dee's Country Realty, Dobyn’s Mt. Performance Center, Greenhouse at Landmark and Blue Ridge Nursing Home, and Verizon Cell phone tower.
•New businesses included Flower Hill Therapeutic Massage, LLC, 1st Choice Mortgage, Parkway PC’s., Kricket’s Country Salon, Hatcher’s Taxi, Country Road Realty, Five Star Mt. Realty, Blue Ridge Builders, PJ Hair and Nails, and Margarit’s Pet B&B.
•New residential communities in Patrick County included Laurel Landing, and Hazelwood Homes
•New production facility of Aerial Machine and Tool at Ararat.
•Continued Proliferation of DSL, high speed Internet in Patrick County by Embarq Corporation and Citizens Telephone.
•Ground breaking for a new building for Step, Inc. on Wayside Road in Stuart
New Officers for Chamber Board of Directors for 2009
Carol Beasley of the Star Theatre will be the President, and Lisa Martin of The Homestead will be the Vice-President, Janie Lankford of Surrey Bank and Trust continues as Treasurer. New directors include, Chris Michalec of Parkway PC’s, Rick Ward of Patrick County Library, and Angie Brown of the Patrick Henry Community College. Continuing directors include, Vicki Bennett, Immediate Past President, Rod Barfield, Patricia Crissman, Mt. Valley Hospice, Tim Dix, Just Plain Country Store, Kathy Gravely, Carter Bank and Trust, Kelly Ratcliff, Community Funeral Home, Leslie Shelor, Greenberry House, Denise Stirewalt, Jim Litten Realty, and Terry Tilley, Town of Stuart.
Plaques Presented to Board Members Rotating Off
At the Annual Banquet, Tom Bishop, presented plaques of recognition to Chamber Directors who rotated off the board at the end of 2008 as follows: Vicki Bennett, NY Life, President for 2008, Patrick Powell, Treasurer and Director, and Peggy Rogers, Director.
Are You Prepared for the Digital TV Conversion?
What do you need to know about Digital TV Conversion? What is it? Why are broadcast stations switching to digital? Learn about the digital-to-analog conversion box. The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce has the flyers explaining the conversion to digital TV from analog TV service. Deadline is Feb. 17, 2009. Come by the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce-Visitor Center at 20475 Jeb Stuart Highway, Stuart, VA, 24171, to get copies of the flyers distributed by the Federal Communications Commission. Telephone 276-694-6012 or e-mail: patcchamber@embarqmail.com. Or go to this web site: www.dtv.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC or 1-888-TELL-FCC (TTY)
Federal Communications Representative Comes to Patrick County in January
Recently Ms. Delores C. Browder, representing the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC came to Patrick County, VA to help our residents to learn about this conversion. If you need to contact her call 202-418-2861 or write this e-mail address: delores.browder@fcc.gov
J. E. B. Stuart Preservation Trust Celebrates Maj. Gen. Stuart’s Birthday
On Feb. 7, 2009, at Just Plain County Antique and Crafter's Mall, Stuart, VA, there will be a birthday celebration for Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart at 10:00am-2:00pm. Music will be performed by Slate Mt. Ramblers, of Ararat, VA. Refreshments and birthday cake will be served. No admission charge. JEB Stuart Preservation Trust will have individuals dressed in period costume. WHEO will do a live remote. Door prizes too!
Piedmont Community Services Opens New Offices
On Dec. 18, Piedmont Community Services opened their new location is at 22280 Jeb Stuart Highway, U. S. Route 58, 5 miles East of Stuart, VA in Patrick Springs. The new building cost approx. $1.5 million and was constructed by Clark Brothers from Stuart. Ribbon Cutting and Open House for the new facilities was held with Guest Speaker, the Honorable Mary Sue Terry, former Attorney General from VA. Other key speakers were Mr. James Tobin, Executive Director, Piedmont Community Services and Dr. Patrick Ephriam. Also attending was Ms. Louis Ware, representing Sen. Jim Webb's office, and Del. Ward Armstrong.
Thanks to EMBARQ for being a sponsor for the Annual Chamber Banquet. You are appreciated! EMBARQ Triple Play for about $3.00 a day. EMBARQ High-Speed Internet, DISH Network Digital Satellite, TV, and EMBARQ Home Phone for $95 a month.
(Applies to up to 786K speed. Excludes taxes, fees and surcharges. One-year term agreement and $15 activation fee apply) Call 877-777-0710 for assistance or click Embarq.com/tripleplay.
EMBARQ partners with our membership to help us succeed. EMBARQ offers member’s exclusive discounts in addition to being our single source for voice, data, Internet, wireless and entertainment solutions. CALL 866-289-0245 to sign up.
The Patrick County Chamber of Commerce Office and Visitor Center is located at 20475 Jeb Stuart Highway (U. S. Route 58), Stuart, VA 24171.
