Business

Commissioners approve certified food processing park idea

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 8:44am

Monday night, commissioners in Columbus County talked about making a move with the industrial park, having it certified as a food processing park.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Commissioners in Columbus County talked Monday night about making a move with the industrial park, having it certified as a food processing park.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Several new businesses opening in Columbus County

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 5:42pm

Several new businesses opening in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Business in Columbus County is booming, according to Jennifer Holcomb, Director of the Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Tourism Development Authority Business.

Holcomb says that so far this year, 14 new businesses have opened, with most of them being small businesses.

Holcomb says that next week, two more ribbon cuttings are scheduled, and five more are in the process of being scheduled.

View Comments | Post a Comment

2 BB&T locations could close their doors

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 5:07pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The BB&T branches in Fair Bluff and Lake Waccamaw could be closing down, according to Fair Bluff Mayor Randy Britt who said he received a call with the news a few days ago.

Britt said he was told the banks are not producing like they should.

The mayor said he's seen several banks come through Fair Bluff and leave after they reach a certain size and they can't help it grow anymore.

Britt believes the only way a bank will succeed in Fair Bluff is if it's a small, community bank with its purpose to serve the area.

The mayor plans to make some calls soon to see if there's any interest for another bank to come to town. He thinks it's ridiculous people could have to drive nearly 20 miles for a bank.

WECT is waiting on a call from BB&T to confirm it is closing the two locations.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Dept. of Aging owes more than $68,000

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013, 12:13pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Officials in Columbus County wrapped up a self audit Monday on the county’s Department of Aging.

The report reveals the department will have to pay the state a little over $68,000 for money it received for services the department did not give to clients.

The self-audit stemmed from complaints from a client earlier in the year about not receiving services from the Department of Aging that were paid for.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Efforts for liquor by the drink are underway in Chadbourn

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, 7:36am

CHADBOURN, NC (WECT) - People living in Chadbourn could be going to the polls in a few months voting on alcohol.

Mayor Fax Rector says he would like a referendum on the ballot, so people can decide if they want restaurant owners to serve alcohol.

Rector said no one approached him about the idea - it's his way of trying to help the town grow economically, by trying to attract more restaurants. According to Rector, since referendums can only be voted on during odd number of years, he would like to see it done this year.

Some town officials believe since thousands of people travel through Chadbourn going to Myrtle Beach and other places, it's in a good location to support more businesses.

"We average 10 to 15,000 on a normal day. During the summer months, that number can go up pretty high. Normally, on the weekends we get about 30,000 cars that pass through here," said Stevie Cox, Chadbourn's town manager.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Commissioners discuss incentive grant for business expansion

Submitted by Justin West, Assignment Manager

Monday, March 18th, 2013, 11:45am

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Columbus County will discuss an economic incentive grant for a business to expand during their meeting Monday night.

West Fraser Timber, which already employees 200 workers in Columbus County, is planning to expand its operations.

Columbus County Economic Director Gary Lanier has put together a grant package worth almost $250,000 over five years. The project involves a total investment by West Fraser of $8,000,000 and the creation of six to eight jobs.

It is estimated that the grant would cover approximately 76% of taxes that West Fraser would have to pay over the next five years.

An earlier draft of the agreement called for the company to create a minimum number of jobs, but that item was dropped in the final draft.

View Comments | Post a Comment