News and Updates

Greenway starts in Tuckaseege Park

Mount Holly city officials, Friends of Greenways (FROGS) and Mount Holly Community Development Foundation leaders teamed up recently to celebrate opening of the 1.2-mile Catawba Riverfront Greenway, which begins at Tuckaseege Park. The new greenway, part of the Carolina Thread Trail, is an important link in Mount Holly’s long-range plan to build a continuous 10-mile greenway along the west bank of the Catawba River from the Mountain Island dam to Belmont. Cutting the ribbon is City Council member Phyllis Harris, with from left (in background) Bret Baronak representing the Carolina Thread Trail, Mayor Bryan Hough, Foundation Vice President Karen Kleiner of Anatomywise, FROGS founding member and former chairman Scott Griffin, FROGS founding member Bob Suttenfeld, City Manager Danny Jackson, former Foundation board member Cindy Michael, Foundation Board President Randi Moore and Martha Wegner of Duke Energy. (Banner News photo by Alan Hodge.)

Ted Hall                                                  Teresa Rankin                                 

Chamber of commerce veteran Teresa Rankin has been named interim president of the Montcross Area Chamber upon the retirement on June 30, 2020, of President Ted Hall after 15 years of service. Rankin has been vice president of the Chamber for the past 13 years.

“Teresa is so knowledgeable and so well respected that she was the obvious choice,” said Chamber Board Chair Heath Jenkins, who added that Rankin does not wish to be considered as a candidate for Hall’s permanent replacement. 

A search committee was appointed earlier this year, but its work was interrupted when the COVID-19 crisis began. “Teresa will provide a strong sense of leadership and continuity until that person is selected,” Jenkins said.

Rankin has nearly 30 years of chamber experience, having worked 15 years for the Gaston Regional Chamber before joining the staff at the Montcross Area Chamber in 2007. Between the two positions, she served as the first executive director of First Things First, a nonprofit service organization in Gaston County.

Mona Fore and her daughter Hannah at Mona’s Boutique & Gifts at 115 Main Street in McAdenville have been in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic to share in videos how they successfully embraced online marketing just as their business was being forced to close for in-store customers. Back open now, their online sales continue to be strong. 

Mona gives Hannah credit for making online marketing work for their business, getting most of their products photographed and posted online for shoppers to purchase. 

Their first video appearance was in a presentation for Gaston County officials arranged through the Gaston Business Task Force. That led to a call from a Charlotte television station, another video and valuable publicity. Most recently the mother-daughter team was interviewed by Tech Works of Gaston County Executive Director Terry Cox for an in-depth YouTube video in which they go into detail about how they made online marketing work for their business. 

More on Mona’s at www.monasonmain.com.

For anyone thinking of adopting online marketing, you should watch the YouTube video. It can be seen on the TechWorks website at: www.techworksgaston.com/events. Here's a link to watch the video now:

See Mona's video on adopting online marketing

Taps Across America

The sound of Taps echoed down Belmont’s Main Street on Memorial Day afternoon as Capt. Matthew Hanks of the North Carolina Army National Guard played by the city clock in honor of all serving in the United States armed forces and especially those who have given their lives in service to their country. The ceremony was part of a national “Taps Across America” campaign, and the Montcross Area Chamber assisted in arranging the observance, which was recorded and shared on social media and seen live on the Chamber’s BelmontCAM, which is affiliated with EarthCAM. Matthew Hanks is the owner/broker at Hanks Realty Group on South New Hope Road in Gastonia.

Photos by Wil Neumann

WATCH THE VIDEO

View from the Chamber's BelmontCAM

A drawing among all bike ride participants and donors determined prize winners. In the photos below are first-prize winner Belmont Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hefferan and second-prize winner Ruthaa Wooldrige of Right At Home. Susan Norris of Chick-fil-A Belmont won third-place. Prizes were gift certificates to local businesses. 

Rain no problem for a "virtual" bike ride 

A rainy Memorial week wasn’t the best weather for an actual bike ride, but it worked well for a virtual event in which participants could ride whenever and wherever they wanted. Some chose not to ride at all and instead made a donation to the Chamber to offset funds lost by postponement and cancellation of spring fund-raising events. 

The City of Belmont and South Main Cycles were presenting sponsors for the event.  Other contributing sponsors were: Lyerly Agency, Chick-fil-A Belmont, ASM Ventures, Belmont Eye, Wellzesta, Blue Harbor Bank, Schooley Mitchell, the Town of Stanley, Brad Frazier and Nicole Flowers. 

A drawing from among all participants and donors determined the winners, and the prizes were gift certificates to local businesses. Belmont Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hefferan’s name was drawn for the first-place prize, Ruthaa Woolridge of Right At Home got second, and Susan Norris of Chick-fil-A Belmont won third. 

The Chamber thanks everyone who participated or donated.

Help Gaston Fund: Donate and become a fundraiser

More than $433,000 has been contributed to date by 165 donors to the Help Gaston Fund established by United Way of Gaston County and the Gaston Community Foundation. And more than $230,000 has been awarded to help residents in need during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Funds requested so far total more than $941,000. 

Duke Energy, the City of Gastonia and the Gaston Business Task Force are collaborating partners in the Help Gaston effort. 

Gaston County 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funds to address the needs of residents. Organizations can submit applications through the Help Gaston website. 

Remembering Austin Matching Donations 

The Remembering Austin Foundation is one of several listed fundraisers on the site. And Remembering Austin is matching donations up to a total  of $10,000. To have your contribution matched, designate your gift to Remembering Austin, or donate at www.rememberingaustin.org. 

Donate, become a fundraiser, or submit an application at: www.helpgaston.org.