News and Updates

Larry and Reina Nordlinger are cutting the ribbon, with (from left) Jim Crisp, Elizabeth Atterberry, Darlene Avery, Ruthaa Woolridge, Samuel Jordan and Carey Roberts.

Teaching clients to lead a "debt-free" life 

Larry and Reina Nordlinger have opened an area office for The Nordlinger Agency - Symmetry Financial Group, and they celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 23, 2019, at the office of the Montcross Area Chamber in Belmont. 

The goal of The Nordlinger Group is to help clients learn to lead a "debt-free" life, by teaching them how to become debt-free in nine years without spending more money they they are today. 

For more on The Nordlinger Agency, call 864.553.1310, or visit www.nordlingeragency.com.

Watch the Facebook video

Jami Mullis is cutting the ribbon with members of his family Denyse Downer, Angie Mullis, Tate Hall, Makenna Mullis, Brandi Hall and Tailyn Hall.

Chamber members and friends welcome Mullis Construction Group

Mullis Construction Group, multi-family residential and commercial contractors, hosted Chamber members and friends along with clients, vendors and sub-contractors for an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at their offices at 7202 Wilkinson Blvd., Suite G/H, in Belmont.

Mayor Charlie Martin welcomed Mullis Construction to the Belmont business community, and MACC President Ted Hall welcomed the business to membership in the Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce. The large crowd attending enjoyed refreshments and business networking, while learning about Mullis Construction Group.

For more information on the company, call 704.798.8419, or visit www.mullisconstructiongroup.com. 

Watch the Facebook video 

Jami Mullis celebrates along with the crowd as the ribbon is cut at the Mullis Construction Group open house. 

Candidates from left are Marc Seelinger, Claudina Ghianni-Toole, Jim Hefferan, Martha Stowe and Ron Foulk. In the smaller photo below, Ron Foulk is drawing for seating and opening statement position, with forum moderator Ted Hall holding the bag, and candidates Marc Seelinger and Claudina Ghianni-Toole.   

Big crowd turns out for forum at TechWorks of Gaston County

Five candidates vying for three seats on the Belmont City Council responded to questions and presented their cases in opening and closing statements during a forum coordinated by the Montcross Area Chamber at TechWorks of Gaston County in Belmont.

The Gaston Gazette and the Banner News were promotional sponsors. A full-house of about 100 residents attended the forum, and many more watched on a Facebook live video. Incumbents in the race are Martha Stowe and Ron Foulk. Challengers are Marc Seelinger, Claudina Ghianni-Toole and Jim Hefferan. 

Montcross Area Chamber President Ted Hall was forum moderator. 

Early voting in all local races began October 16 and will continue through Nov. 2. Election day is Nov. 5.

For more information on all municipal elections in Gaston County, go to http://www.gastongov.com/government/departments/elections/index.php

George Horner cuts the ribbon in front of a renovated William Gaston Science Hall at Belmont Abbey College. The smaller photo below shows exterior improvements made during the renovation. (Photos by John and Karen Jacob)

Updates make a new biochemistry program possible 

New labs and a new biochemistry program are among the many additions and renovations at the William Gaston Science Building at Belmont Abbey College. A new entrance canopy and large decorative signage transformed the appearance of the building's exterior without altering its distinctive architecture.

The improvements were made possible by a major gift from George and Susan Horner. During homecoming weekend festivities, George Horner cut a ribbon and unveiled a commemorative plaque to celebrate the occasion.

College President Dr. William Thierfelder spoke, as did Abbot Placid Solari, chancellor of the college.The Montcross Area Chamber of Commerce assisted with the ribbon cutting, and President Ted Hall made comments. After the program, guests toured the building. 

George Horner comments after unveiling a plaque commemorating the gift he and his wife Susan made to the renovation project.  

Sarah Duckworth (center) with her vendor friends who provided catering, music, balloon art and photo booth services for her anniversary celebration. In the smaller photo below, Sarah is with Chamber Board Past-Chair Melia Lyerly of Lyerly Agency and Chamber President Ted Hall. (Photos by Dodie Huffman of Image Source.)

Sarah's passion for planning events started in high school 

Chamber Members and Friends enjoyed a fabulous garden party on the grounds of Stowe Manor in Belmont to celebrate the first anniversary  of Sarah Duckworth Events at the Network After Work on Oct. 10, 2019.

Guests enjoyed great food and beverages, a beautiful balloon installation, music provided by a DJ. and a fun photo booth.

A Vermont native, Sarah's career in events started in high school when I worked on the banquet staff at The Equinox, a Luxury Collection Golf Resort and Spa. Despite the long hours,she loved working weddings. In 2010, she received her bachelor’s degree in Sports Entertainment and Event Management from Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte. Since that time, she's gained over 10 years of experience in the industry working for companies within the NBA, AHL, NFL, PGA, NASCAR and the Olympics.

She founded Sarah Duckworth Events in 2018. For more information on Sarah Duckworth Events visit: https://sarahduckworthevents.com.

Lots of new members and first-timers raised their hands at the event. (John Jacob Photo)  

Aerial view of planned CaroMont hospital in Belmont. In the small photo below, the blue shaded area is the site for the new hospital on Belmont Abbey land, just off I-85 near exit 27 and Highway 273.

Construction could begin in first half of 2020

Chamber members and friends learned at breakfast today about the "Thoughtful Collaboration for Gaston County" that has resulted in CaroMont Health and Belmont Abbey College coming together on a plan that will benefit people here for generations to come. The Southern Benedictine Society, which owns Belmont Abbey College, had the land and a calling to use it to serve the community. CaroMont Health had the ability to build and operate a 66-bed, almost $200 million hospital. CaroMont CEO Chris Peek and Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey discovered last year their individual visions could be realized through a partnership. This is the moving story those attending the Chamber's Business Buzz breakfast heard this morning. There are many steps yet to be taken, but if all goes smoothly, construction of the hospital could begin in the first half of 2020.

CaroMont CEO Chris Peek, with Chamber Board Chair Shannon Thomas and Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey. 

Cutting the ribbon are Brad and Shannon Thomas with family and team members. On the front row are Reg Thomas, Carey Ledford Roberts, Leigh Ann Calvert, Betsy Armistead, Jacob Henderson, Logan Thomas, Brad Thomas, Betty Payne, Shannon Thomas, Allison Lancaster, Amanda Ruby, Lauren Taylor, Nate Morrison and Clif Calvert. (Photo by Dodie Huffman of Image Source.) 

Showroom and Design Space is at 132 N. Main Street in Belmont

Wedding and corporate event planners from across the region now can make one stop in downtown Belmont to select from Creative Solutions Special Events everything they need for any size function from a small backyard party to a gala for hundreds of guests.

Creative Solutions Special Events will continue to maintain an office and distribution facilities at its Wilson Road location in Gaston County, while the showroom at 132 N. Main Street in Belmont features table displays, lighting, linens and examples of any other item a planner could need for an event. 

CSSE owners Brad and Shannon Thomas opened the space to clients, family, friends and Chamber members for a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 12, 2019. A full house filled the large space, which has been extensively renovated. 

Belmont Mayor Charlie Martin was on hand to welcome the long-time local business to the new downtown location. Shannon Thomas, who also serves as chair of the Montcross Area Chamber Board of Directors, spoke of her excitement and that of other members of the CSSE team to become part of the Historic Downtown Belmont business community. 

For more information on Creative Solutions Special Events, call 704.825.8701, or visit http://www.csspecialevents.com/

Watch the ribbon cutting video

The Creative Solutions team assembled for the grand opening of the new Showroom & Design Space.