While Democratic Congressman Heath Shuler persistently pestered former eight-term Congressman Charles Taylor to debate him two years ago to no avail (two planned debates between the candidates fell through over details), his opponent this time around, Republican Carl Mumpower, claims the freshman incumbent has conveniently lost his desire to go mano a mano in public. […]
Author: Hal L. Millard
Showing 64-84 of 335 results
Biz: Mompreneurs hope to strike it rich
Honeywear Inc. began humbly enough: two busy working moms with an idea for a better baby sling. Now, after less than two years in operation, the home-based business appears poised to make the big time—or at least take a giant leap. Moving on up: Local entrepeneurs Christen Ward and Kristin Keliher and their company, Honeywear, […]
Building your business in tough times
For businesspeople who’d like to stave off the economic downturn (at least a bit), an upcoming program at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce just might be the ticket.
Carolinas, Tennessee lead in Latino growth
On the heels of the raid at an Asheville-based defense contractor that resulted in the arrest of 57 suspected illegal aliens, comes word that the Carolinas and Tennessee lead the nation’s per capita growth in overall Latino population.
Biz: Gone but not forgotten
The inspiration for launching a business can come from the unlikeliest of sources. The death industry, for example, is lucrative and about as steady as they come—but that’s where the attraction ends for most entrepreneurs, who prefer something a little sunnier. Ashes to ashes: Adrienne Crowther displays some specially handcrafted cremation urns marketed through her […]
Biz: Rolling with the punches
High gasoline prices are putting the squeeze on consumers and businesses alike. But for bike retailers and repair shops here and elsewhere, these are the salad days. Hell on wheels: Sky-high gas pricees have sparked a booming business in bicycles, says Pro Bikes owner Marty Gallagher. Photo by Jonathan Welch Marty Gallagher, who owns Pro […]
Area, state jobless rate continues to climb
The Asheville metropolitan area (Buncombe, Haywood, Madison and Henderson counties) saw its unemployment rise again in June to 5 percent, up from 4.8 percent in May, according to the latest statistics from the N.C. Employment Security Commission.
Asheville City Council
Pack Square Park on track Horizons urban-village project delayed As protesters massed outside City Hall on July 15, developer Stewart Coleman told Asheville City Council members about his plans for the controversial Parkside condominium project. It was the first time Coleman had appeared before Council to discuss the project. Slated for the south side of […]
Biz: Bad back hatches new product
Ever thought you had a great idea for a business or invention? Ever let the thought pass without acting on it? Don’t be ashamed—you have a lot of company. Egg-cellent idea: Borne of a back ailment, the Three Minute Egg yoga prop is the brainchild of Asheville’s Jason Scholder. Photo by Jonathan Welch But Jason […]
Asheville City Council
As protesters massed outside City Hall on July 15, developer Stewart Coleman told Asheville City Council members about his plans for the controversial Parkside condominium project.
City Council urges county action on Parkside
At its Tuesday informal work session, Asheville City Council reiterated it would like to see the county buy back land at City/County Plaza it sold to developer Stewart Coleman for his controversial Parkside condominium project.
The Biz: Box office
If, as Rudyard Kipling famously wrote, “A woman is only a woman, but a good Cigar is a Smoke,” then what does that make the box the cigar came in? In the hands of craftsman and entrepreneur Steven Miller, it’s a fiddle—and one that not only feels and sounds like the real thing but is […]
Asheville City Council preview: July 15 meeting
At its July 15 work session, City Council will discuss a host of controversial topics, including the Parkside development.
Haywood Park project clears first hurdle
A massive redevelopment proposed for downtown Asheville’s Haywood Park complex cleared its first big hurdle July 1 when the Asheville Downtown Commission approved the designs. Among other things, the plans call for two 20-plus-story high-rises that would dominate the skyline between Page Avenue and Haywood Street (see “Building a Legacy,” April 9 Xpress). Moving on […]
At your service
From time to time, local officials announce a significant corporate relocation or expansion that translates into an infusion of well-paying jobs hereabouts. And if all goes as hoped, the next such announcement could be a real attention-getter. Catbird seat: Realserv CEO Shannon Van Etten says Asheville is well-positioned to land a major real-estate agent service […]
MANNA puts out plea for food assistance
Asheville-based MANNA FoodBank is urging WNC residents to give to an emergency food drive this Thursday, July 10.
Local man shoots and scores with Supreme Court gun ruling
Living in a gated community, Asheville resident Robert Levy doesn’t own a gun because he doesn’t feel he needs one. Others are not so lucky, he says, especially those who live on the mean streets of places such as Washington, D.C., Levy’s hometown. But thanks largely to Levy’s efforts, citizens of the nation’s capital will […]
Adelante targets Latino-friendly businesses
As a traveler in Guatemala, Jamie Beasley was astonished by the level of hospitality he encountered in a country so poor and war-ravaged. And with Adelante, he aims to repay that generosity by helping the Asheville area’s burgeoning Spanish-speaking population. Come on in: Adelante, the creation of Jamie Beasley, isn’t just a business: It’s also […]
Asheville Regional Airport in peril?
Flown recently? No? Join the club. Millions of potential passengers are grounding themselves these days. Their reasons include poor service, too-frequent flight disruptions and dubious security measures that produce interminable waits. Meanwhile, a souring economy and soaring fuel costs are only adding to the travel industry’s woes. That could spell trouble for the Asheville Regional […]
Haywood Park complex clears hurdle
The Downtown Commission today approved the designs for the massive redevelopment of downtown’s Haywood Park complex, which would feature two 20-plus-story high rises commanding the skyline between Page Avenue and Haywood Street.
Local, statewide unemployment shoots upward
The Asheville metro area’s unemployment rose to 4.8 percent in May, a significant increase from April’s 4.1 percent. But the local rate was still better than the statewide rate, which hit a high of 5.8 percent, according to the latest statistics from the N.C. Employment Security Commission.