CeCe Hipps | PresidentHaywood Chamber of Commerce

Connecting HaywoodFALL 2016 IssueHAYWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & EDC

NEWSLETTER

Dave Angel of Elevated Mountain Distilling Company is no stranger to innovation. “I made whiskey for the first time when I was fourteen years old,” Angel says. “A family friend passed along their skills and their secrets about how to make good whiskies…it was just the coolest thing…watching how it was made.” Feeling a deep sense of con-nection to the fabric of his fa-milial home, Angel held onto whiskey making as a “some-day I’m going to…” dream. After a successful career in human resources that included living in six states and a few years in China, An-gel was ready to return to his mountain roots. “We have a history and heritage of making moonshine that dates back to the beginning of Haywood County,” says Angel. “A big factor that makes our moonshine better than anyone else’s product is the water we use to make it with.” Being a Headwaters County with the highest average elevation of any

county east of the Rockies, Haywood is home to a tremendously valuable resource sought after by microbrew-ers, artisanal food producers and now a craft distillery. “We intend to make good smoky mountain whiskey—vod-kas, bourbons, moonshines, flavored varieties and alternative whiskeys,”

says Angel. “At the heart of Elevat-ed Mountain Distilling Compa-

ny, we’re thinking creatively about how to do something new and different that no one has thought of before in the whiskey and spirits

industry.”From the custom product la-

bels to the Maggie Valley loca-tion, Angel says bringing his business plan to life was a community effort. “After leaving my corporate career and moving back to Haywood, it was an opportunity to reinvent myself,” says Angel. After successfully completing classes on commercial whiskey making, Angel was ready to move his plan for-ward. “The first person (continued P2)

L E A D E R S H I P / A D V O C A C Y / D E V E L O P M E N T / I N N O V A T I O N

Musings on Membership & Special Events Page 2 - 4

Economic Developmentby Mark ClasbyPage 3

Spotlight on Small BusinessThe Alchemy of Success: Elevated Mountain Distilling Company

Transforms Vision into Winning Business Plan

By Tina Masicarelli

Welcome!

“Sustaining our Community”a letter from the President

Just like a new school year; beginning a new chamber year is a good time for renewed focus on our mission and a com-mitment toward our members and strategic plan. The Haywood Chamber has great po-tential for growth in membership, resourc-es and continued impact on our region. Our highly committed and influential board of directors and volunteers along with a committed staff team who bring experi-ence and enthusiasm to their roles. We are not satisfied with status quo, and have high expectations for Haywood County. We realize that you are very busy running the day to day operations of your business and do not always have time to attend a workshop or take advantage of a networking opportunity. Keeping that in mind, over the next several (continued P2)

“The biggest part of my

marketing plan is that it tells a

story.”

- Photo, 2016 Blue Ridge Breakaway

(CeCe Hipps continued)

2 Page

(Small Business Feature continued)I met with in town was Mark Clasby with the Economic Development Council (EDC),” says Angel. “I sat down with Mark on a snowy day and said I’ve got this half-baked idea…a dis-tilling company is what I want to do…and I need help shaping the concept.” According to Angel, Clasby sprang into action and connect-ed him with Katy Gould from the Small Busi-ness Center at Haywood Community College. “Katy played a significant role in helping me polish my business plan with input from a re-source in the distilling industry,” says Angel. “After that, Katy connected me with the Chamber of Commerce and encouraged me to enter the Small Business Start-Up Compe-tition.” After winning the competition, Angel says he was introduced to his banker, Josh Brant at Entegra Bank, who helped craft a lending approach perfect for his sized busi-ness. With funding secured, it was time to find a property. The Town of Waynesville was the first stop who recommended Angel’s architect. “While I was working with my architect, I received the coolest call from Ron DiSimone who was then the mayor of Maggie Valley,” says Angel. “When I met with Ron, he loved my business plan and took me to see the Carolina Nights property.” Both Angel and DiSimone shared a

vision for renovating the property into a vibrant interactive distillery with a retail space. “Sadly, Ron passed away the next day and I never got to follow up and say thank you,” says Angel. “He really turned me onto Maggie Valley by talking so enthusiastically about the people, the culture and the history. I knew that day that I’d found the home for Elevated Mountain Distilling Company and I can’t thank Ron enough for that.” From there Angel’s network started growing. “As I met the next person on my journey, they introduced me to two people to fulfill the next need…my realtor, social media support, graphic design for my labels, sourcing local farm products and the list goes on.” What’s the update on Elevated Mountain Distilling Company? The property is under renovation as Angel continues to build his network of local stakeholders including farm-ers to grow heirloom product for his craft whiskeys. “The biggest part of my marketing is that it tells a story,” says Angel, “and our story is that Elevated Mountain Distilling Company is mountain made local craft whiskey made as much by the people who touched our busi-ness as it is by the ingredients themselves.”

Elevated Mountain Distilling Company plans to open their Maggie Valley location in the fall of 2016 with a limited selection of products.

CHA

MBE

R N

EWS

LEADERSHIP / ADVOCACY / DEVELOPMENT / INNOVATION

HAY

WO

OD

CH

AM

BER

TEA

M

CeCe Hipps, IOM, CCE President Deb Isenberg, Member Services and Event Coordinator Craig Day, Office Manager

Mark Clasby, Economic Development Council Executive Director

Tina Masciarelli, MLAMedia and Marketing Manager

Richard Tirrell, Accountant

months we will be revealing additional member benefits and opportunities to assist you in your business. These new opportunities will increase your return on your investment with our organi-zation and provide you with savings and resources to grow and thrive. I would also like to en-courage you to take advan-tage of one of our many programs such as Issues and Eggs, Women in Busi-ness, Young Professionals, Member Drop-In’s, Economic Development Roundtable discussions, Governmental Relations and the Ambassa-dors which have been specifically designed to fill a niche in our business community. Please visit our website at www.haywoodchamber.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

Sincerely,

CeCeCeCe Hipps, IOM, CCEPresident

Haywood Chamber’s Hipps Earns Certified Chamber Executive Certification The Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) (www.acce.org) has designated CeCe Hipps, Presi-dent of the Haywood Chamber of Commerce, as a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE). The CCE is the only national certi-fication for chamber professionals. “The CCE program assesses and tests the applicant’s knowledge of core chamber management areas—manage-ment, planning and development, membership and commu-nication, and operations,” says Bob Quick, CCE, president and CEO of Commerce Lexington Inc. and CCE commission chairman. “Chamber professionals who are designated CCEs have rightfully earned this outstanding recognition through

hard work, countless hours of dedication to their field, and leadership of their chamber to achieve the chamber’s goals. We are proud to have this year’s class join a long tradition of professional excellence.” Hipps was one of seven chamber executives in the nation who earned the CCE designation which was awarded August 10 during ACCE’s Convention in Savannah, Georgia. Since the program was initiated more than 40 years ago, only about 500 individuals have earned this highest designation in the industry. Visit our BLOG to read more about Hipps’ achieve-ments.

3

Economic Development NewsBy Mark Clasby

“Fostering regionalism is very important because a large percentage of Haywood’s workforce commutes outside of Haywood County and a significant number of people who live outside of Haywood commute in for employment. So it is import-ant that we work together across the region for economic development focused on attracting new jobs and new opportunities to highlight our area as a vibrant regional marketplace for industry and employment with the resources available to sustain both.”

STRENGTHENING THE regional marketplace

• In early August, the much antic-ipated ground breaking ceremony for Chic-fil-A took place at their new downtown Waynesville location. Franchise owners, Robert & Dawn Conard, were joined by local leaders and stakeholders including Mark Clas-by, Exec Director for the EDC. The Conards anticipate adding 80-100 jobs to the local economy.

West Carolina Freightliner Western Star, LLC, a full-service Freightliner dealer is expanding into Haywood County. TW West, LLC owned by Larry R. Tysinger, Sr. purchased property off of Interstate I-40, Exit 31 in Canton for the new facility. The move will take advantage of Canton’s prime location. President and General Manager of West Carolina Freightliner, Rick Gibson stated “We really look forward to the move into Haywood County it is a great facility with great visibility from the interstate.” The project is a joint effort of collab-

oration amongst Haywood County, Town of Canton and Haywood County Econom-ic Development Council as all played a key role in facilitating West Carolina Freightlin-er Western Star’s expansion into Canton. All parties are excited to have West Carolina Freightliner Western Star as a new member of the local business community and look forward to the increased econom-ic activity and job creation in the Canton area.

Serving all of Haywood County — including Canton, Clyde, Maggie Valley & Waynesville

• EDC Executive Director, Mark Clasby met with 12 site consultants along with Carolina West Economic Development group to discuss potential opportuni-ties in WNC.• In September, EDC Executive Direc-tor Mark Clasby presented to the lead-ing state project managers from the Economic Development Partnership of NC to further the economic develop-ment opportunities available in Hay-wood County.

- Chick-fil-A breaks ground in downtown Waynesville

West Carolina Freightliner Western Star Dealer to Expand in Haywood County• The Haywood EDC continues work-ing alongside the Mountain West part-nership consisting of the seven western counties of NC to develop a marketing plan and new website focused on small businesses and entrepreurship.

On May 18, 2016, President Obama and Labor Secretary Perez announced the publication of the Department of Labor’s Final Rule updating overtime regulations, which will automatically extend overtime pay protections to over 4 million workers within the first year of implementation. In an effort to help small businesses, industry and non-profit organizations understand the changes in the Fair La-bor Standard Act (effective December 1, 2016), the Haywood Chamber invited

Jonathan Yarbrough of Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP, as the guest pre-senter at our August Issues & Eggs com-munity program. Yarbrough unpacked the complexities of the legal language, tips to prepare for implementation, timekeeping strategies and implications for higher ed-ucation, non-profits and the public sector. A complimentary video of the entire session of Issues & Eggs was made avail-able to Chamber members as an exclusive member benefit.

Chamber Offers Video Access as Exclusive Member Benefit

• Over recent months, the EDC has fa-cilitated a series of round table discus-sions with different clusters. These dis-cussions are designed to keep the EDC informed about progress and challeng-es faced by stakeholders within each sector. The EDC, in turn, can develop a response to support both small busi-ness and industry by building on suc-cesses and providing resources to miti-gate challenges.

Thus far, meetings have been held with industry leaders and stakeholders in medical, agriculture and manufactur-ing clusters. The tourism cluster is next on the agenda.

www.HaywoodEDC.org

• The Broadband committee pursues assessment and feasibility study to develop a blueprint for addressing the challenge of providing high-speed internet to the unserved and under-served areas of the county.

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS GROW STABILITY

• Want more EDC news about our growing economy of small businesses, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs as well as industry? Follow us on YouTube as we celebrate our growth as a regional marketplace: Haywood Chamber of Commerce & EDC

Power Up!By Craig Day

2016 Blue Ridge BreakawayBy Deb Isenberg

Upcoming Signature Event

The Haywood Chambers of Commerce is a key to economic success of our community through mak-ing introductions, facilitating leadership development programs, increasing and fostering innovation via information exposure, maintaining data on our ar-eas served and our economic climates and keeping abreast of pending development projects. Now, we are increasing your ROI by assisting our members with powering up their online presence, placing a focus on shopping in our local area and by assisting community partners thru increased messaging. Technology has been the essence of moving busi-nesses forward into the future. With different devel-opments in the online arena, local businesses have the opportunity to sale globally. Often, maintaining day to day operations limits business operators in delving into these new arenas. The Haywood Cham-ber is here to help with powering up local business online presence by producing video at our scheduled ribbon cuttings or by request, developing ads for re-lease over our social network and giving potential customers visiting our area another shopping window to you, via our website. Shop Small is a new initiative that we are adopting at the Chamber to assist with driving potential busi-ness to our local business partners in all of our com-munities. The initiative started in 2010 as American Express launched the first small business Saturday on November 27 of that year. In 2011 our very own U.S. Senate officially recognized the day. In 2014, an esti-mated $14.3 billion was spent at small business across the U.S. We want you to get a piece of that pie, so we will be assisting by creating awareness with strategi-cally placed signage thru out our areas and increasing our social media push to remind our citizens to shop local for the holidays, specifically on November 26, 2016. At the Chamber, we believe that being great com-munity partners creates healthy communities that lead to healthy businesses. In August of 2016, we assisted our community partners by creating graph-ics of community event announcements and posting to our online networks to generate interest and grow volunteerism. We will continue to design this new endeavor as a way to give back and support our com-munity and businesses. Contact the Chamber direct-ly for more information!

H

161510Apple Harvest Festival

A celebration of all things apple featuring exhibitors, live entertainment and great food.

28 Walnut Street, Waynesville NC 28786 / PH 828.452.3021 / FAX 828.452.7265www.HaywoodChamber.com

By all accounts, the 2016 Blue Ridge Breakaway was a resounding suc-cess! In speaking with many of our 350 riders, most veterans to cycling, a common theme was that “this is the best run event we have ever partici-pated in”. Our riders come from across the country just to pedal through our breathtaking countryside, and specifically onto the Blue Ridge Park-way. Riders choose from one of four routes; the Hawk (105.7 miles), the Trout (76.43 miles), the Panther (50.8 miles) and the Rabbit (26.5 miles). A well-received addition to this year’s ride was our King and Queen of the Mountain. Although the Breakaway is a ride, not a race, we thought adding a little royal competition would bring a bit more excitement to our more experienced riders. The race portion of the ride began at the Burnett Siding Church rest stop, down Lake Logan Road, and concluded at the Devil’s Courthouse rest stop. This section of the Hawk and Trout routes is particularly rigorous, with steep inclines and a twisting, winding roadway. Our King was Tracy Saine from Dahlonega GA who came in at 41:27.5 minutes, and our Queen was Francesca Stubbins from Greenville GA who came in at 50:53.6 minutes. Truly amazing times considering the level of difficulty! Special thanks to the many hands that made our 2016 signature event a success - including safety support from local law enforcement, fire de-partments, rest stop volunteers, emergency services and amateur ham radio operators. Are you ready for the ride of your life? Join us in 2017!