Press Releases
Avery County Chamber of Commerce Desires to Engage Internet Service Providers for Broadband Expansion
The Avery County Chamber of Commerce has received a grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to extend broadband internet service to residential and business customers in unserved and underserved areas of Avery County.
The Chamber is looking for a qualified Partner with the technical expertise and capacity to make available high-speed internet services to as many underserved areas as possible. The qualified Partner would be required to design, build, operate and maintain a broadband network to provide data services. The Partner would also be required to provide a minimum of $100,000 to match the ARC funds
Copies of the detailed request for proposal (RFP), including a description of the services to be provided by respondents, the minimum content of responses, and the factors to be used to evaluate the responses, can be obtained by contacting Melynda Pepple, Director, Avery County Chamber of Commerce, 4501 Tynecastle Highway, Unit #2, Banner Elk, NC 28604 or (828) 898-5605 or director@averycounty.com or visit www.averycounty.com/avery-county-press-releases/.
Proposals will be accepted until 5:00 pm March 30, 2018.
The Avery County Chamber of Commerce encourages the submission of proposals from minority- and women-owned firms.
Leadership Avery Kicks Off 2018
Avery Chamber Now Taking Applications for 2018 Class of Leadership Avery
Who runs Avery County? Who are our leaders—our movers and shakers? What local businesses and organizations are integral to the fabric of everyday life and how do they operate? What resources are available to our citizens? Interested in learning just how Avery County works and being more involved with the county’s current and future leadership? Here is your chance!
This week the Avery Chamber of Commerce announced its third offering of Leadership Avery, a ten-month program developed by Avery County leaders to enlighten participants about county businesses, agencies, organizations, and resources and how they work, both individually and together, to run our county.
The 3rd year class will kick off in March with a class orientation. The sessions will focus on: Education, Nonprofits, Resorts and Tourism, Healthcare, Law, Courts, Government, Media, Small Business/Entrepreneurship, Tree Farms, Local Industry and Wineries/Breweries. The class will wrap up in November with each participant graduating, receiving certification, and enjoying dinner. Participants will walk away with a vastly expanded view of just how Avery County works, excellent knowledge of who to go to for what, and resources to add their own contributions to leadership in our county.
The 2018 class of Leadership Avery will be led by co-chairs YMCA Membership & Marketing Director DeLee Scott and Mountain Glenn Golf Marketing Director, Kathy Rimmer. Both Scott and Rimmer are graduates of the 2017 Leadership Avery class and will bring with them their individual experiences and knowledge gained.
YMCA CEO, 2016 inaugural class participant and past 2017 chair Trey Oakley states, “Leadership Avery not only opened my eyes to how much goes on in our small community, but also introduced me to the people who are behind the majority of it. The type of person that will benefit from Leadership Avery is someone who wants to give back, who wants to be a catalyst for change, and who wants to ensure a brighter future for all in Avery County. I was blessed to be surrounded with individuals concerned with our community and I look forward to growing our alumni base to become a driving force in Avery County’s future.”
Participants must commit to one full day a month in the 9-month program and can miss only one scheduled session. Also, the business they represent must be a member of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. The cost is $300 and, if the participant is an employee of an area business, in most cases the employer will sponsor or pay the tuition for the participant.
For more information contact Avery County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director:
Melynda Pepple, 828-898-5605, director@averycounty.com.
Applications are due February 28, 2018.
Explore the Extraordinary
Home of the Annual Woolly Worm Festival
and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.
Visitor, Relocation and Business Guide
