BUSINESS/ WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
VICE CHAIRMAN
Dr. George Sappenfield
Mission:
It's task is to serve as an advocate, resource and datalyst for our business community's success. The Chamber emphasizes cooperation for economic developement on a county and city level. It offers networking and educational opportunities to enhance the business community and assists the Surry Economic Development Partnership.
COMMITTEES/GOALS:
Industrial Development
Continue to emphasize and promote cooperation between the City of Mount Airy and Surry County governments, the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, Inc., the Surry Community College Small Business Center, and others to continue economic development. Study, evaluate, and promote economic opportunities and explore beneficial services to chamber members. Support existing businesses in Surry County by addressing problems related to 1) availability of adequate labor, 2) training for the labor force, and 3) growing local business community.
Small Business Development
Continue to support small business owners in Mount Airy and Surry County by developing networking and educational programs. Partner with the various small business support agencies in Mount Airy and Surry County to identify topics of interest that both inform and enhance small business operations and provide seminars or programs to cover those needed areas and continue to build on the following:
* Present the annual Small Business award to recognize the achievements of the
Chamber’s small business members
* Evaluate programs such as SCORE and seminars through Surry Community College Small Business Center that may be of benefit to the Chamber’s small business members and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee, Board of Directors or staff
* Promote educational and training opportunities that will benefit small business members
and their employees
James Etringer Workforce Carolina
Tonda Hall Allstate & Hall & Associates Real Estate
Nelson Clark NCFI
Tim Marion Marions Jewelry
Aaron Routh Hutchens Laundry & Cleaners
N.A. Barnes Carolina Connections
Steve Yokeley Rogers Realty & Auction Co
Andrew Gibbons Carolina Farms
Raynelle Hamblin Stratford Mortgage Group LLC
David Hayes Surry County School
Carla Majure Majure Skin Care & Wellness Center
Membership open
Need a Small Business Loan?
Small businesses are crucial to the health and growth of the local economy, yet many small business owners find it difficult to obtain loans from traditional sources such as banks and private investors. However, loans are available to qualifying businesses in Surry County and other rural areas of the state through the North Carolina Microenterprise Loan Program and the Rural Venture Fund.
NC Microenterprise Loan Program: Loans of up to $25,000 are available under this program, along with business planning and technical assistance. The program is available to anyone who wishes to start or expand a business, provided he or she is:
? At least 18 years old;
? Has a business with fewer than ten full-time employees; and
? Is a US citizen or permanent resident and a resident of North Carolina.
Rural Venture Fund: The fund provides loans ranging from $50,000 to $350,000. Applicants must demonstrate growth potential and must show that financing cannot be obtained from traditional sources. The fund also offers technical assistance and education to help business owners successfully manage their long-term growth.
For more information, visit
www.ncruralcenter.org, or call the NC Rural Economic Development Center at 919-250-4314.
Local Businesses Eligible for Tax Credits
Surry County businesses that create new jobs, invest in business equipment, or make a substantial investment in real estate may be eligible for significant state tax credits.
Eligibility
Eligible types of businesses include:
Manufacturing; warehousing; company headquarters (if at least 75 new headquarters jobs are created); customer service call centers; electronic shopping and mail order houses; information technology and services; research and development; wholesale trade; aircraft maintenance and repair; air courier services hub; motor sports facility; and motor sports racing team.
In addition, eligible businesses must offer health insurance for all full-time workers and pay at least 50-percent of employee premiums. A business may be disqualified if it has had any significant environmental violations, serious OSHA violations, or overdue taxes.
Available Credits
Job creation: Eligible businesses that create a minimum of five new full-time jobs during the taxable year may claim a $12,500 credit for each new job created. If the job is filled by someone who resides in Mount Airy’s designated “agrarian growth zone” or by a long-term unemployed worker, the credit increases to $14,500. The credit is taken in equal installments over four years.
Business Property: Eligible businesses may take a seven-percent tax credit on the cost of capitalized tangible personal property that is placed in service during the taxable year. The credit is taken in equal installments over four years.
Real Property: Eligible businesses that invest at least $10-million in real property within a three-year period and create at least 200 new jobs within two years may take a credit equal to 30-percent of the real property investment, taken in equal installments over seven years. To qualify for this credit, a written determination from the NC department of Commerce is required.
For more information, please contact Surry County Economic Development Partnership 336.386.4781, surryedp@surry.net or www.surryedp.com.