Commissioners Meet to Support Project Wayah

Tommy Jenkins, Director of the Macon County Economic Development Commission, addresses Commissioners during their Special Called Meeting of August 28, 2018.

The Macon County Board of Commissioners met yesterday afternoon to pass a resolution in support of attempting to obtain a grant of $412,500 from the North Carolina Department of Commerce in support of the business concern identified as Project Wayah. The business will be identified at a later date.

The purpose of the grant is to renovate an existing building in Macon County. A public hearing on the matter will be held at a time to be determined later. The grant requires a 5% match ($20,625) from Macon County.

A gavel-to-gavel video of the meeting is posted below, as is a roll call of media outlets present and a copy of the resolution. The next meeting of the Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11, 2018.





MEDIA ROLL CALL
Media Outlets with representatives present at the meeting

Macon Media (me)
The Franklin Press
WFSC-AM/WNCC-FM

Elected Critters

Sheriff Robert Holland

No one from the public attended this meeting.

Resolution in Support of Project Wayah
(original spelling and grammar of the original document is retained)

RESOLUTION FROM THE MACON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING AND AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION TO THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, RURAL GRANTS/PROGRAM FOR A GRANT FROM ITS BUILDING REUSE PROGRAM

THAT WHEREAS, Macon County has been approached by “Project Wayah”, a business concern to be identified by Macon County at a later date, with the request to apply to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division, Rural Grants/Programs for a $412,500.00 Grant from its Building Reuse Program in order to assist in its renovating project for the construction and development of an existing business in Macon County, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, Macon County has determined that the receipt of such a grant is likely to create at least 33 new jobs in Macon County, will likely result in the upgrade and modernization of an existing building in Macon County which will in turn likely result in an increase in its ad valorem tax base and otherwise contribute to the economic development of Macon County; and

WHEREAS, Macon County desires to assist and support "Project Wayah", a business concern to be identified by Macon County at a later date, in its renovation project for the construction, improvement and development of an existing business building located in Macon County, North Carolina, by making this Resolution in support of an authorizing an application to be submitted on behalf of Macon County unto the North Carolina Department of Commerce seeking a $412,500.00 Grants/Program from its Building Reuse Program in order to assist in the renovation for the construction, improvement and development of an existing business building in Macon County, by "Project Wayah", a business concern to be identified at a later date.

NOW THEREFORE, upon Motion of Commissioner Shields, seconded by Commissioner _(unintelligible)_, and duly approved, be it hereby resolved by the Macon County Board of Commissioners as follows:

RESOLVED, that Macon County does hereby support and authorize the making of an application to be submitted on behalf of Macon County on unto the North Carolina Department of Commerce seeking a $412,500.00 Grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division, Rural Grants/Programs from its Building Reuse Program in order to assist in the renovation project for the construction, improvement and development of an existing business building in Macon County, North Carolina, by "Project Wayah", a business concern to be identified by Macon County at a later date; and

RESOLVED, the purpose of the project for which such Grant is being sought is a renovation project for the construction, improvement and development of an existing business building in Macon County, North Carolina, by "Project Wayah", a business concern to be identified by Macon County at a later date; and

RESOLVED, that Macon County is in full support of such renovation project; and

RESOLVED, that Macon County does hereby make its commitment to provide a cash match of five (5%) of the Grant request amount set forth hereinabove toward such renovation project, should the grant applied for be made, before entering a grant agreement for the same, and subject of course to the public hearing required and a determination thereafter to make an appropriation of the same;

RESOLVED, that Jame P. Tate, the Chairman of the Macon County Commissioners, is hereby authorized and directed to complete, fill in, execute and deliver on behalf of Macon County, North Carolina, an application seeking a Grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division, Rural Grants/Programs from its Building Reuse Program in order to assist in the renovation project for the construction, improvement and development of an existing business building in Macon County, North Carolina, by "Project Wayah", a business concern to be identified at a later date; and

RESOLVED, that Jame P. Tate, the Chairman of the Macon County Commissioners, is hereby authorized and directed to complete, make, execute and deliver the certifications which are required by the North Carolina Department of Commerce in connection such Grant Application to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division, Rural Grants/Programs fro its Building Reuse Program in order to assist in the renovation project for the construction, improvement and development of an existing business building in Macon County, North Carolina, by "Project Wayah", a business concern to be identified by Macon County at a later date.

Adopted at the August 28, 2018, Special Meeting of the Macon County Board of Commissioners.

James P. Tate, Chairman of the Macon County Board of Commissioners



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Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.


Published at 4:00 am on August 29, 2018

#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety

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Franklin Town Council Declares Intent to Make Economic Grant to "Project Wayah"

The Franklin Town Council declared its intent to make an economic grant in the form of approximately one acre of land to a business concern that has been code-named Project Wayah. The council went into a closed session at 6:00 pm to discuss the grant and came back into open session at 7:15 pm and passed a resolution (a transcribed copy of which is below) by a vote of 5-1 (Culpepper voting against). A copy of the petition to the town council at the behest of the business concern has also been transcribed by Macon Media and posted below.

A public hearing regarding this economic development grant has been scheduled for October 1, 2018, at 6:05 pm 

 A full video of this meeting is available. [LINK]


Project Wayah Video Segment




Transcribed Copy of Resolution
(Editor's Note: the grammar of the original document is retained; GS is replaced with NCGS)

RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN DECLARING ITS INTENT TO MAKE CERTAIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

WHEREAS, intending to promote prosperity and the general welfare by increasing the population, taxable property, agricultural industries and business prospects of the Town of Franklin, the Board of Aldermen duly adopted economic development grants guidelines at its regular meeting of June 7, 2010;

WHEREAS, pursuant to NCGS § 158-7.1, the Town is authorized to make grants and conveyances of real property in furtherance of the purposes of economic development and to aid the and encourage the location and expansion of manufacturing enterprises, making industrial surveys, and locating industrial and economic plants in or near the Town's corporate limits;

WHEREAS, the Town Council has now been petitioned to make an economic development grant in the form of approximately one (1) acre of Town-owned real property to be clearly defined at a later date (the "Economic Development Grant"), to be used by Project Wayah a business concern to be identified by the Town at a later date;

WHEREAS, the Town Council is informed that the Economic Development Grant is necessary to permit Project Wayah to locate within the Town of Franklin, and without the same Project Wayah will choose to locate in another city and state at.d

WHEREAS, the Town of Franklin finds that the making of the Economic Development Grant will increase the population, the taxable property, and the business prospects of the Town of Franklin.

NOW, THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED by the Town Council for the Town of Franklin, the following:

Section 1. The Town Council intends to enter into an Economic Development Agreement with Project Wayah, in accordance with the requirements of NCGS § 158-7.1 and any other applicable law, by which the Town of Franklin would convey the Economic Development Grant to Project Wayah.

Section 2. A public hearing shall be held at the regular Town Council meeting on October 1, 2018, at 6:05 pm, at which time the Town Council will consider granting final approval of conveyance of the Economic Development Grant.

Section 3. The Town Clerk is directed to publicize a notice of the public hearing in The Franklin Press and on the Town's website, for two consecutive weeks prior to the public hearing.

Adopted at the regular meeting of the Town Council, this 21st day of August 2018, upon motion by Council Member __________, seconded by Council Member ________, and passed by a vote of 5 in favor and 1 against.


Copy of Petition to the Town of Franklin

(Editor's Note: the grammar of the original document is retained; GS is replaced with NCGS)

August 22, 2018

Project Wayah (Code Name)
Franklin, NC 28734

Re: Request for Economic Development Grant from Town of Franklin by Project Wayah

Dear Sirs:

Project Wayah, a business concern to be identified by the Town of Franklin at a later date, has requested an Economic Development Grant from the Town of Franklin. In connection with your Economic Development Request, the following was represented and related unto the Town of Franklin:

A. That Project Wayah will make a capital investment of $3,000,000 (of which $1,500,000 will be in the form of improvements to real property and $1,500.000 will be in the form of tangible personal property) during the year 2018;

B. That Project Wayah will make a capital investment of $2,000,000 (of which $500,000 will be in the form of improvements to real property and $1,500,000 will be in the form of tangible personal property) during the year 2019;

C. That Project Wayah will hire an additional 23 employees in Franklin, North Carolina, for a total of 105 employees in Franklin, North Carolina, during the year 2019;

D. That Project Wayah will hire an additional 10 employees in Franklin, North Carolina, for a total of 115 employees in Franklin, North Carolina, during the year 2020;

E. That all such employees will be fully employed to at least 40 hours per week at an average wage of $46,509 per year, and that wages for all such employees shall be above the median wage for the Town of Franklin as listed annually by the North Carolina Department of Commerce Finance Center;

F. That Project Wayah shall provide health insurance and other benefits to all said employees at a level commensurate with other Franklin, North Carolina businesses;

G. That Project Wayah shall keep all such employees fully employed to at least 40 hours per week through and including at least 2024.

Based upon these representations, and a determination made by the Town Council of the Town of Franklin that the making of this Economic Development Grant set forth herein will increase the population of the Town of Franklin, the taxable property in the Town of Franklin and the business prospects of the Town of Franklin, the Town of Franklin is prepared to make an Economic Development Grant to Project Wayah in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

A. Convey to Project Wayah or its assigns, a parcel of real property consisting of approximately one (1) acre, said property to be identified and described at a later date, and pursuant to terms to be formalized by the Economic Development Agreement referenced below, and secured by way of a note and deed of trust against the real property to be conveyed.

B. This Economic Development Grant is to be made expressly subject to the following conditions:

1. Project Wayah must enter into an Economic Development Agreement with the Town of Franklin, North Carolina, in accordance with the provisions of NCGS § 158-7.1 which is wholly satisfactory unto the Town of Franklin, North Carolina;

2. The real property to be conveyed pursuant to the Economic Development Agreement will be valued at $115,878 per acre for the purposes of the Agreement and compliance with NCGS § 158-7.1 and other applicable law and

3. Project Wayah must fully account for all expenditures at the end of each fiscal year for which such expenditures were appropriated.

Very truly yours,

Summer Woodard, Town Manager
Town of Franklin


CROWDFUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.



Become a Patron!
If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.


Published at 8:15 am on August 22, 2018

#MaconGov #FranklinNC #WNCnews

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Daily Weather Briefing for Wednesday, August 22, 2018

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL

The Franklin Town Council had a Special Called Meeting last night. JEPACA, Inc withdrew their street closing request, the council approved a barking dog ordinance and the board met in closed session from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm and passed a resolution to hold a public hearing regarding granting an Economic Development Grant to a business concern they code-named “Project Wayah.” A copy of that will be added once Macon Media has digitized the physical copy provided at the meeting. Video of the meeting is available on the blog. [LINK]

LOCAL WEATHER OUTLOOK

High pressure will build into the region today, and should then control our weather through Saturday as it moves past to the north, giving us a brief break from the usual summertime weather. An upper ridge will move east over the region on Sunday, bringing hot and humid weather back for the better part of next week.


WEATHER SPONSOR



Adams Products, a Division of Oldcastle is underwriting the daily weather briefing & public safety updates for the month.

Open 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, M-F, located at 895 Hickory Knoll Road, Franklin, NC. Visit our Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/Adams.Oldcastle.Franklin.NC/

All your masonry needs are available. Our phone number is 828.524.8545, the public is welcome, we’ll help you with your with your next project.

Weather Almanac for August 22nd (1872-2016)
Record weather events for this date in Macon County

Highest Temperature 99°F in Franklin in 1983
Lowest Temperature 42°F in Highlands in 1918
Greatest Rainfall 3.58 inches in Highlands in 1969

Record Weather Events for August (1872-2017)

Highest Temperature 99°F in Franklin on August 9, 1980
Lowest Temperature 40°F at the Coweeta Experimental Station on August 29, 1968
Greatest Rainfall 9.68 inches in Highlands on August 13, 1940


WEATHER FORECAST MAPS

Forecast maps for 8 am, 2 pm, and 8 pm. 
[click on any image in this article to enlarge]
(These images replace the three-day forecast maps)





THREE DAY OUTLOOK



--------------------------------------
FRANKLIN AREA

TODAY

Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 80. North northwest wind 3 to 8 mph.

TONIGHT

Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 50s. North northwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

THURSDAY

Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Light and variable wind.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-to-upper 50s. Calm wind.

FRIDAY

Sunny, with a high near 80.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with low around 60.


--------------------------------------
OTTO AREA

TODAY

Mostly sunny, with highs near 80. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

TONIGHT

Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-to-upper 50s. North northwest wind 5 to 9 mph.

THURSDAY

Mostly sunny, with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-to-upper 50s. Calm wind.

FRIDAY

Sunny, with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a low around 60.


--------------------------------------
HIGHLANDS AREA

TODAY

Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with highs in the lower 70s. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

TONIGHT

Partly cloudy, with a lows in the mid-50s. North wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph.

THURSDAY

Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming calm.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-50s. Light and variable wind becoming east southeast 5 to 7 mph after midnight.

FRIDAY

Sunny, with a high near 70.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-50s.
--------------------------------------
NANTAHALA AREA

TODAY

A 20 percent chance of showers. Areas of fog before 10am. Otherwise, partly sunny, with highs in the lower 70s. North northwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

TONIGHT

Partly cloudy, with lows in the mid-70s. North wind 6 to 9 mph.

THURSDAY

Sunny, with highs in the low-to-mid 70s. North northeast wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with lows in the low-to-mid 50s. Calm wind becoming east southeast around 5 mph after midnight.

FRIDAY

Sunny, with highs in the mid-70s.

FRIDAY NIGHT

Mostly clear, with lows in the mid-50s.

--------------------------------------


GOES-16 GeoColor - True Color daytime, multispectral IR
12:47 am to 3:42 am this morning


HAZARDS

Hazardous weather is not expected.


Macon Media maintains a Severe Weather Preparedness Page at http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/p/breaking-news-hub.html for those who are interested.

As always, you can check to see what advisories, watches, and warnings are in effect for Macon County by visiting http://is.gd/MACONWARN



GOES 16 - Band 15 - 12.3 µm - Dirty Longwave Window - IR (Precipitation)
3:47 am this morning

TROPICAL OUTLOOK




Tropical Weather Outlook
NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL
200 AM EDT Wed Aug 22 2018

For the North Atlantic...Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico:

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 5 days.


Suminski Family Books Summer Film Fest for Families

All ticket sales sold by FROG volunteers benefit:

FRIENDS OF THE GREENWAY, INC.

Location: Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
Start time for each movie: 7:00 PM
Save When You Pre-Buy Your Tickets!

Single Ticket $5 for each movie (pre & at the door)
Season Pass $15 1 ticket to each movie Family of 4 Season Passes $50 4 tickets to each movie

Movies and Dates:

Paddington 2 on July 12, 2018
Hidden Figures on July 19, 2018
Peter Rabbit on August 19, 2018
Wonder on August 26, 2018 (benefits Friends of the Greenway)

Purchase at FROG Quarters, 573 E. Main (next to new bridge) Hours: Wed-Fri, 9 AM-2 PM

There are 3 other non-profits involved: Folk Heritage Association of Macon County NC, Grandpa’s Woodshed Project, Women’s History Trail, and Read2Me. The FROG-specific specific movie is Wonder, but our members can pre-sell tickets to all movies.

Franklin Health & Fitness 30th Anniversary Celebration [LINK]
http://thunderpigblog.blogspot.com/2018/07/franklin-health-fitness-announces-their.html

Uptown Gallery classes
(These are on-going classes – repeat weekly)

Free classes and open studio times are being offered at The Uptown Gallery in Franklin. Join others at a painting open studio session every Tuesday from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm or on Thursday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Bring your own materials and join an on-going drawing course led by gallery artists on Fridays, from 11am – 2 pm. For information on days open, hours and additional art classes and workshops, contact the gallery on 30 East Main Street at (828) 349 – 4607.

National Alliance on Mental Illness
Appalachian South

Meets each Thursday at 7pm
The First Methodist Church Outreach Center
at the intersection of Harrison Ave. and West Main Street
(directly across from Lazy Hiker Brewery)

Come join our weekly support group for anyone suffering from mental illness and their family or friends. This includes Depression, Bipolar,8chizophrenia, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Etc.

Here you will find:
— others living with mental health challenges YOU ARE NOT ALONE
- learn coping skills and ?find hope in shared experience
- help learning how to break down stigma and guilt surrounding mental health
- how to live life with the expectation of a better a better future

Kay (706)970-9987 Denise (828)347-5000)

SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

On January 1, 2017, the Syringe Exchange Program of Franklin began operating a comprehensive harm reduction program to address the opioid epidemic that is impacting western NC. Opioid overdose reversal kits including naloxone are available free of charge. If you have any questions about our services or if you know someone interested in volunteering, please contact Stephanie Almeida at 828-475-1920.



Sun and Moon

Sun

Begin civil twilight 6:32 a.m.
Sunrise 6:59 a.m.
Sun transit 1:36 p.m.
Sunset 8:14 p.m.
End civil twilight 8:40 p.m.


Moon

Moonset 3:27 a.m.
Moonrise 5:59 p.m.
Moon transit 11:07 p.m.
Moonset 4:17 a.m. tomorrow morning


Phase of the Moon on August 22, 2018: Waxing Gibbous with 87% of the Moon's visible disk illuminated.
Closest Primary Moon Phase: Full Moon on August 26, 2018 at 7:56 a.m. (local daylight time)

Sky Guides for this week


Sky and Telescope Magazine 
Astronomy Magazine


There will be three solar and two lunar eclipses in 2018. [LINK]

Heavens Above has an Android App that will assist you in observing the sky and even has a satellite tracker that will let you know when the International Space Station and dozens of other satellites are overhead. [LINK]

Stellarium is also an app that will assist you in observing the sky. It is available in both Android [LINK] and iOS versions. [LINK]

CROWDFUNDING OR DAY SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES


If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.


Become a Patron!
If you have a business or event you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or underwriting coverage, send an email to editor@MaconMedia.com for more information. Serious inquiries only. Macon Media rewards early sponsors/underwriters with lifetime guaranteed low rates while newer sponsors/underwriters pay higher rates based on the date they first support Macon Media.

Thank You to the people who have been sending in donations and those businesses who are underwriting coverage of news and events. You have kept Macon Media online.


Published at 4:10 am on August 22, 2018

#WNCscan #MaconWx #MaconSafety


Data and information sources: Sources (except where otherwise credited): heavens-above.com, Ian Webster's Github, National Centers for Environmental Prediction, The National Weather Service, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center, Penn State University Electronic Wall Map, The State Climate Office of North Carolina, Storm Prediction Center, U.S. Naval Observatory, University of Utah Department of Atmospheric Sciences, and the Weather Prediction Center.

Read More

Harmony House Foods Inc, to Expand Operations in Macon County

PRESS RELEASE
Macon County EDC
July 5, 2016


FRANKLIN NC - The Macon County Economic Development Commission announced today that Harmony House Foods, Inc has purchased the current TekTone Sound and Signal Manufacturing, Inc facility in the Macon County Industrial Park, following the TekTone purchase of the former SKF building in the park.

Located in the Macon County Business Development Center, Harmony House is a seller and distributor of dehydrated foods, both domestically and internationally. Their honors include the Editor’s Choice Award from Backpacker Magazine and the  “Business People of the Year” nomination by the Small Business Administration for the State of North Carolina.

“Harmony House will be expanding from an 8500 square foot facility to an over 32,000 square foot location, showing significant growth since becoming a Business Development Center tenant in 2013,” said Tommy Jenkins, Macon County Economic Development Director. “Being a family owned and operated business, as well as located in a region world renown for hiking and outdoor recreation, Harmony House is a perfect fit for our local economy.”

Harmony House plans to steadily increase their workforce over the next several years as new products come to market.  “We have so many opportunities for product growth that it just made sense to expand,” said John Seaman, President of Harmony House.  “Expanding right here in Franklin was an easy choice because Macon County has provided such an excellent business environment.”  There are also plans for a future

Read More

Name of Company in 'Project Tech' Effort to Purchase the old CR Industries (Later SKF) Building Releasesd

xx
Press Release
Macon County EDC
June 30, 2016
9:17 am

Franklin NC - The Macon County Economic Development Commission announced today that TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. will expand operations in the Macon County Industrial Park with the purchase of the former SKF facility. The company will hire an additional 35 workers over the next five years, and invest 2.9 million dollars.



The project was made possible in part by performance-based grants from the OneNC Fund ($90,000) and Macon County ($30,000). These grants are contingent upon a combination of verified job creation and investment performance benchmarks. Appropriate claw-backs are in place if those performance benchmarks are not met.



“We are excited to have TekTone® investing in the economic future of Macon County,” said Kevin Corbin, chair of the Macon County Board of Commissioners. “We are appreciative of their commitment to providing good jobs and investment in our community. Transacting business on five continents, they are an excellent example of a local company thriving in a global economy.”



Founded in 1973, TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. opened its manufacturing facility in Franklin in 1989. TekTone® designs & manufactures wired & wireless nurse call, apartment entry, area of rescue assistance, alert integration and resident wandering systems. TekTone® healthcare communications systems are found in hospitals, retirement communities, skilled nursing, and assisted/independent living facilities around the globe. TekTone® world headquarters is in Franklin, NC—and the company’s network of first-rate distributors and representatives stretches worldwide. The privately held company employs an existing workforce of 70 locally.



“The purchase of the former SKF facility is a significant investment for us. When it became clear we were outgrowing our current facility, we made it a priority to stay in Macon County, if at all possible. We thank our employees, customers, and partners for making this a reality, and look forward to expansion and growth in the Macon County Industrial Park,” commented Carlos Mira, President of TekTone®.



Partners involved in the project include Macon County, Macon County Economic Development Commission, North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina

 ###

**11:29 am** Governor Pat McCrory has released a press release regarding this announcement. It is posted below in full:



Expansion by TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. Will Create 35 Jobs in Macon County

Raleigh, N.C.
Jun 30, 2016

Governor Pat McCrory, North Carolina Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) announced today that TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. will create 35 jobs over the next five years as it expands operations in Macon County. The company plans to invest $2.9 million in its facility over that time.

“TekTone® Sound & Signal is a key global player in the nurse call system market, doing business on five continents,” said Governor McCrory. “This company’s exciting growth in Macon County provides more evidence that modern manufacturers can thrive in every corner of our state.”

Founded in 1973, TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. opened its manufacturing facility in Franklin, N.C. in 1989. TekTone® designs & manufactures wired & wireless nurse call, apartment entry, area of rescue assistance, alert integration and resident wandering systems. TekTone® healthcare communications systems are found in hospitals, retirement communities, skilled nursing, and assisted/independent living facilities around the globe. TekTone® world headquarters is in Franklin and the company’s network of first-rate distributors and representatives stretches worldwide. The privately held company employs an existing workforce of 70 locally.

“Nothing compares to the manufacturing talent, access to global markets and competitive costs that companies like TekTone® Sound & Signal find in North Carolina,” said Secretary Skvarla. “These are among the factors that have made us the Southeast’s #1 state for manufacturing jobs.”

TekTone® Sound & Signal Mfg., Inc. will add engineers, technicians, and sales representatives among other positions at its new research, development and manufacturing facility. Salaries will vary by position, but will average more than $48,118 per year. Macon County’s current annual wages average $30,794.

The global market for nurse call systems is expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2022, according to a 2016 report by Grand View Research, Inc. Trends in healthcare technology, regulation and reimbursement are driving international demand for communications systems.

“The purchase of the former SKF facility is a significant investment for us. When it became clear we were outgrowing our current facility, we made it a priority to stay in Macon County, if at all possible. We thank our employees, customers, and partners for making this a reality, and look forward to expansion and growth in the Macon County Industrial Park,” commented Carlos Mira, President of TekTone®.

The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant of up to $90,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. One NC grants also require and are contingent on financial matches from local governments.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Macon County and its economy,” said N.C. Senator Jim Davis. “This company has been a mainstay in our business community and we are pleased to be a part of its latest stage of growth.”

“This expansion by TekTone Sound & Signal says good things about Macon County as a destination for high-quality jobs and investment,” said N.C. Representative Roger West. “I look forward to supporting this company’s continued growth and success.”

Among the allies working with EDPNC and N.C. Commerce on TekTone® Sound & Signal’s expansion are the North Carolina General Assembly, the Macon County Board of Commissioners and the Macon County Economic Development Commission.

###

Read More

Entrepreneur Networking Night VI and Release Party for CEC Promotional Video

The Macon County EDC [website] and the Macon County CEC Leadership Team hosted the Entrepreneur Night VI and Release Party for a promotional video designed to entice entrepreneurs to relocate their businesses to Macon County. This event was held at The Lazy Hiker Brewing Company in the former Franklin Town Hall. A video of the launch party and the promotional video are embedded in this article.

The vieo was funded by a public-private partnership using tax dollars and private money.

Macon County NC EDC/CEC Promotional Video
Macon County EDC and Certified Entrepreneurial Community present the official release of the Macon County CEC promotional video produced by Joel Collins of 99 Hills Creative Media.
Posted by Macon County Economic Development Commission on Tuesday, October 20, 2015

The event was attended by nearly two dozen members of the EDC Board, the CEC [Certified Economic Community] Leadership Team and members of other tourism related boards and business owners.

MEDIA ROLL CALL 
(a list of the local media organizations with staff covering the event)
Macon Media (me)
The Franklin Press (an editor and a reporter)


CROWD FUNDING

If you receive value from what Macon Media provides to the community, please consider becoming a supporter and contribute at least a dollar a month.

Macon Media is currently the work of one person and I hope, with your help, to be able to expand to cover more events and report local news in ways that the local papers and radio station cannot.

You can find out more information on how to do that and some of what I plan to accomplish if I reach certain levels of funding at my crowd funding page.

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BizWeek 2013 Banquet Honors Local Businesses, Keynote address given by Tony Almeida, senior advisor to Governor Pat McCrory on jobs and the economy

BizWeek 2013 wrapped up last night in the fellowship hall of Holly Springs Baptist Church, with several local businesses being recognized for their contributions to Macon County.

Among those honored were, Angel Medical Center, JC and Frankie Jacobs, Old Edwards Inn and Span and Raymond Page.

The keynote address was given by Tony Almeida, senior advisor to North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory on jobs and the economy. 

This was the third BizWeek hosted by the Macon County Economic Development Commission and the second one to honor the contributions of local businesses to the local economy.


For more information on the Macon County EDC please visit their website at http://maconedc.com/



This is the playlist that includes all the speakers and honorees that participated in BizWeek 2013.


Below are the individual videos in chronological order:

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Opening Ceremonies

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Presenting was Franklin Mayor Joe Collins and accepting was James Bross, CEO of Angel Medical Center.

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Presenters were Rob Gasbarro and Cory McCall, co-owners of Outdoor 76 and accepting was JC Jacobs of People's Department Store.

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Presenting was Macon County Commissioner Jimmy Tate.

Accepting for Old Edwards Inn and Spa was President Richard Delaney.

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Presenting was Johnny Mira-Knippel of TekTone Sound & Signal and accepting was Raymond Page.

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Keynote Address by Tony Almeida, Senior Advisor to North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory at the BizWeek 2013 Banquet in Franklin, NC.

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Video of the closing remarks of Macon EDC Director Tommy Jenkins at the Biz Week 2013 Banquet.

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Tony Almeida to provide keynote at BizWeek 2013 Banquet

PRESS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 01, 2013

The Macon County Economic Development Commission is pleased to announce that Tony Almeida, senior advisor to N.C. Governor Pat McCrory for jobs and the economy will provide the keynote address during the EDC Banquet during BizWeek 2013.

“It is truly an honor to have Mr. Almeida as our keynote speaker for this event,” said Tommy Jenkins, Director of the Macon County Economic Development Commission. “He is a dynamic speaker and we’re looking forward to his many insights for the growth of business and industry in North Carolina.”

Tony Almeida joined the McCrory Administration in January 2013, after serving as the economic development director for the governor’s transition team. In 2008, Almeida was named vice president, large business, of Duke Energy. As part of the retail customer services group, this large business team was responsible for managing business relationships and services to the company’s largest manufacturing, commercial and institutional retail customers across the Carolinas and the Midwest. He retired from this position in 2011. Prior to this, Almeida served as vice president of business relations and economic development for Duke Energy Carolinas from 2006 to 2008. He served as vice president, economic development, from 2003 to 2006. Almeida joined Duke Energy in 1979.

The Atlanta, Ga., native graduated from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and economics. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Almeida is past chair of the Charlotte Regional Partnership and also served as chair of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation Board. In addition, he serves as a trustee on that college’s board. He also served as past chair of the North Carolina Community College Foundation Board. He is also member of the board of trust of Hood Theological Seminary.

The Macon County Economic Development Commission Banquet will conclude the BizWeek 2013 celebration and will be held on Thursday, April 25 at 6:00 pm in the fellowship hall of Holly Springs Baptist Church. 

This event is free. However, registration is required and seating is limited. Register online at www.maconedc.com or call Tommy Jenkins at (828) 369-2306.

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For more information on BizWeek 2013, please visit the Macon EDC website.

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Harmony House Foods to Locate In Franklin

PRESS RELEASE

To: Macon County Press Outlets

From: Tommy Jenkins, Director, Macon County EDC

Date: 8-22-12

For Immediate Release

Harmony House Foods To Locate In Franklin

Harmony House Foods Inc, a leading outfitter of dehydrated foods to backpackers, restaurants, schools and families, will locate operations in the Macon County Business Development Center.

County Commissioners approved the lease agreement Tuesday evening. “We welcome Harmony House to Macon County and are excited about their growth potential,” said commission chairman Kevin Corbin. “With their ties to the outdoor recreation industry, we think they are perfect fit for our area.”

Founded in 2005, the family-owned business maintains a strong on-line sales presence and is a supplier to outdoor related companies such as REI. In 2007, Backpacker Magazine awarded Harmony House with its “Editors’ Choice” award, gaining the company national recognition. In addition, the company was a SBA “Business People of the Year” nominee in 2008.

“We are privileged to be relocating to an area of North Carolina that is not only stunningly beautiful, but is open and accommodating to the business community,” said John Seaman, President of Harmony House Foods. “We are looking forward to a long-lasting, positive relationship with the good people of Macon County.”

Harmony House will occupy approximately 7500 square feet of the county’s Business Development Center and is expected to initially employ 5-7 employees. Operations are scheduled to begin in September.

“This is another step forward as we strive to diversify our local economy”, said Tommy Jenkins, Macon County EDC Director. “We look forward to Harmony House’s continued success in Macon County.”

#END#

Here is video of the announcement and the vote of the Macon County Commissioners regarding Harmony House Foods that I released last night:



See the entire meeting at this post.

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