| Title |
Excerpt |
Author |
Date |
| Blue Ridge Savings runs afoul of feds |
Asheville-based Blue Ridge Savings Bank, chaired by former Congressman Charles Taylor, is seeking to right its ship after the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. recently ordered the institution to stop an array of “unsafe and unsound” banking practices. Bank blues: Federal and state bank regulators have ordered Blue Ridge Savings Bank… |
Hal L. Millard |
01/14/09 |
| Bellamy reviews “State of the Downtown’ |
Mayor Terry Bellamy told members and guests of the Asheville Downtown Association gathered for a “State of the Downtown” luncheon Jan. 8 that the city has made real strides to make downtown better, but that more needs to be done. Since she took office in 2005, Bellamy said, the city… |
Hal L. Millard |
01/14/09 |
| The Biz: “Anticipation ... is keepin’ me waitin’” |
Let’s face it: Asheville could use some good news. The economy’s in the crapper; jobs are being shed like a snake’s skin. And a whole lot of folks, whatever their profession, are sweating their financial future. So is Realserv the answer? For many anxious people in the real-estate business, it… |
Hal L. Millard |
01/14/09 |
| The Biz: Task master |
Katrina Bragg believes she’s hit upon a great idea. Companies of all stripes are constantly facing a variety of tasks they’re either ill-prepared or too busy to perform in-house. Bragg’s company, Task Mania, seeks to fill the breach. The one-stop shop handles assignments ranging from administrative to marketing to financial… |
Hal L. Millard |
01/07/09 |
| Local jobless rates spike |
The local unemployment rate took a dramatic leap in November, based on the latest statistics from the N.C. Employment Security Commission. The Asheville metro area (Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, and Madison countis) saw its aggregate rate jump to 6.2 percent in November from 5.2 in October. All four counties saw significant… |
Hal L. Millard |
01/06/09 |
| Ho ho holy crap: State jobless rate nears 8 percent |
This time a year ago, the state’s unemployment rate stood at 4.7 percent. What a difference a year makes. North Carolina’s unemployment rate increased to 7.9 percent in November from 7.1 percent the previous month, according to the latest statistics from the N.C. Employment Security Commission. It is the highest… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/24/08 |
| Sharpen those resumes: Job Fair coming to town |
Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, a shopping mall is probably the last place you would want to be just five days after Christmas. However, for those in need of a job, the Biltmore Square Mall is the place to be. The third annual Homecoming Job Fair will be held… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/23/08 |
| OnTrack: Bailed out |
Staring a dire funding crisis in the face, the folks who run the nonprofit On Track Financial Education & Counseling are breathing easier these days. Recently, the agency was denied a $135,000 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant. But thanks to the state and some generous individuals and… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/23/08 |
| The Ellington looks to break ground next summer |
If all goes according to plan, The Ellington hotel/condo project slated for Biltmore Avenue should break ground and commence construction sometime in mid-2009, says spokesperson Karen Tessier. High hopes: Developers of The Ellington, a high-rise planned for Biltmore Avenue, expect to break ground sometime next summer. “We’re still in process… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/23/08 |
| Victim of the downturn in newspapering |
Like many folks these days, John Yenne is feeling the pinch of hard economic times. Recently laid off with 15 others from various departments of the Gannett-owned Asheville Citizen-Times, Yenne is among the increasing numbers of people in the journalism and publishing business suddenly finding themselves faced with reduced pay… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/20/08 |
| Bad times for the local news business |
Whether it’s merely a reflection of the ailing economy, the rise of the Internet or the death knell of daily print journalism, newspapers nationwide are in a severe tailspin. Asheville’s local daily, the Asheville Citizen-Times, is among those feeling the heat. Paper losses: The Asheville Citizen-Times recently announced that it’s… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/17/08 |
| The Biz: Risqué business |
As downtown shops go, it’s a bit of an anomaly. But owner Lisa Ziemer sees her new Battery Park Avenue business, Va Va Vooom, filling an important need for Asheville women. Bringing sexy back: Lisa Ziemer and Brian Kirk want their new downtown intimate-apparel store, Va Va Vooom, to be… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/17/08 |
| Biz: Nuts to you |
For many of Sakshi Gantenbein’s customers, the smell is what hooks them. The beguiling aroma—subtle yet savory, not to mention comforting—comes from roasted chestnuts, which Gantenbein cooks up in his portable roasting stand. In the winter months, he’s typically on hand at the entrance to Greenlife Grocery in Asheville, Wednesday… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/10/08 |
| Asheville City Manager to host development forum |
Everybody, it seems, would like to build in Asheville. For developers, the city is here to help with its City Manager’s Development Forum. No, developers aren’t granted special access or favors at the forum, but they can glean information to help them plan and prepare for their projects, not to… |
Hal L. Millard |
12/03/08 |
| Biz: The pinch that stole Christmas? |
If economists and retail analysts are to be believed, this holiday shopping season is setting up to be a grim one, thanks to a baleful economy and a precipitous drop in the Consumer Confidence Index, which hit an all-time low in October and is not expected to improve much, if… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/26/08 |
| State unemployment hits 7 percent |
The holiday season may be approaching, but there are few glad tidings from the N.C. Employment Security Commission, which reported on Nov. 21 that the state’s unemployment rate hit 7 percent in October. That compares to a 6.5 percent rate nationally — the highest in 14 years. Employment in North… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/21/08 |
| Some sizzle for your steak? |
The holiday season is approaching, but with the economy in the doldrums, experts predict a slump in shopping and entertaining as consumers scale back. While frugality may be good, even noble, the season is the bread and butter for retailers and a vital part of the year for restaurants as… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/19/08 |
| Biz: OnTrack crisis worsens |
That was the word from Executive Director Celeste Collins on Nov. 11, after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development once again turned down OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling’s bid for a critical $135,000 grant (see “The Biz,” Nov. 12 Xpress). Eyes on the prize: Local “mompreneurs” Christen Ward… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/19/08 |
| Remembrance of things past |
Remember AIDS? Though supplanted in the public eye by the latest disease du jour, there was a time in the ‘80s and ‘90s when you couldn’t turn around without seeing or hearing something about AIDS—which first targeted gay men yet quickly went global. Besides sparking the fear and loathing of… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/19/08 |
| Leaf collection season in full swing |
The city of Asheville’s leaf collection season has begun. During leaf season, the Sanitation Division collects bagged and loose leaves separately according to schedules based on your trash collection day. Residents using either bagged leaf collection or loose leaf vacuuming collection should separate their leaves from trash and other waste… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/14/08 |
| Biz: Derailed |
Amid the current tough economic times, a lot of nonprofits are struggling to continue fulfilling their missions. But one local group, OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling, finds itself in a particularly tight spot after failing to secure a $135,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Executive Director… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/12/08 |
| The Blue Dog barks |
“This is fun, isn’t it?” “This is incredible, man!” “What a night for the Democrats. Whoo!” Such were the ecstatic utterances of Democratic voters on what was, indeed, a huge election night for Democrats at the local, state and national levels. Hundreds of party faithful filled a large conference room… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/12/08 |
| Shuler tops Mumpower in congressional race |
“This is fun, isn’t it”? Such was the feeling of one Democratic voter Tuesday night, as Democratic incumbent Rep. Heath Shuler bested his Republican rival, Carl Mumpower, for the 11th District Congressional seat on a night in which Democrats racked up huge wins locally and nationally. With 14 of 15… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/05/08 |
| New Web site touts local deals |
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a new perk to its members—and hopefully a boon to cash-strapped consumers looking for deals. Value added: SaveinAsheville.com is the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s attempt not only to help member merchants but to give consumers ways to save in a tight… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/05/08 |
| The Biz: A living reminder |
“I remember eating corn bread and milk every night for dinner.” Such was the snippet of secondhand conversation surreally overheard recently. The speaker, a resplendently dressed elderly woman, was having lunch with her daughter outside a Grove Arcade eatery. It was one of those perfect autumn days, warm with a… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/05/08 |
| Local jobs picture brightens slightly in September |
After a few months of steadily worsening job news, the Asheville metro area’s unemployment rate declined in September, according to the latest N.C. Employment Security Commission statistics. The metro area (Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood and Madison counties) saw the rate dip to 5.2 percent from 5.5 percent in August. That rate… |
Hal L. Millard |
11/03/08 |
| Mumpower, Shuler trade barbs in radio debate |
(Note: Miss the congressional debate? Media accounts not enough to satisfy your need to know? Then you can replay the full debate and the listener call-in portion of the debate via podcast at WWNC’s Take a Stand! show Web site). It likely will be the only debate between Democratic Rep.… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/31/08 |
| New Web site touts local deals |
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a new perk to its members — and hopefully a boon to cash-strapped consumers looking for deals. A new Chamber Web site, http://www.saveinasheville.com, gives Chamber members the opportunity to list coupons for substantial savings for a range of goods and services. Launched… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/31/08 |
| Asheville City Council |
Protection for Pack Square Park? Fuel flowing again More than just a place, downtown Asheville is a brand—and an economic engine that needs protecting and constant fine-tuning. Bad sign: A rise in graffiti, panhandling, predatory towing and other ills could hurt Asheville’s image — and the local economy, a top… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/29/08 |
| Biz: Safe havens |
With all the turmoil and confusion in the financial sector, it’s easy to believe that the carnage is endemic. But while the pall of doom is all too real, not every financial institution is in peril. Give them credit: While the banking and financial sectors are in a shambles, relatively… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/29/08 |
| Countdown to the Shuler/Mumpower debate begins now |
Republican congressional candidate Carl Mumpower will appear live today (Oct. 28) on WWNC-570 AM with Take a Stand! radio host Matt Mittan, in a discussion that will serve as a warmup for a scheduled debate later this week between Mumpower and incumbent Rep. Heath Shuler. Mumpower will be interviewed on-air… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/28/08 |
| Asheville City Council |
Protection for Pack Square Park? Fuel flowing again More than just a place, downtown Asheville is a brand—and an economic engine that needs protecting and constant fine-tuning. That was the gist of a presentation by Kelly Miller, executive director of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, to Council members during… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/27/08 |
| Graffiti, panhandling, other downtown ills worsening, Council told |
Asheville’s downtown is more than a mere place, it’s a brand and an economic engine that needs protecting and constant fine-tuning. That was the gist of a presentation by Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Executive Director Kelly Miller to City Council members at its Oct. 21 meeting. At issue, Miller… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/23/08 |
| Odd man out in Congressional race |
This Mr. Smith most likely will not be going to Washington. And Keith Smith is cool with that. Such are the perils of being an little-known Libertarian candidate for Congress in a race for the 11th District seat held by a rich former football player (Heath Shuler) and challenged by… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/22/08 |
| Asheville City Council preview: Oct. 21 meeting |
Tourism is vital to Asheville, which is why pressing issues such as graffiti, vandalism, filth, panhandling, predatory towing and other problems will be addressed in a report by local tourism officials and city staff when Council meets for its Oct. 21 work session. But that’s just one of the more… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/20/08 |
| Asheville City Council |
Fallout from the spreading national economic debacle is affecting not only financial institutions, investors and taxpayers, but also the city of Asheville, Chief Financial Officer Ben Durant told City Council. The red zone: Chief Financial Officer Ben Durant warns the Asheville City Council that the effects of a global economic… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/15/08 |
| Biz: Building the perfect beast |
Given the astounding growth in Asheville and the surrounding area, it would appear that efforts to spur economic development are proceeding quite nicely, thank you. But according to a new study that’s now nearing completion, those efforts are far from ideal. To begin with, there are some 30 entities in… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/15/08 |
| Hunting & Gathering |
WNC is known for its mountains, its rivers, its diversity and eclecticism -- but it's a safe bet that if you ask a good portion of people what makes our area stand out, the answer will be its vast array of shopping options, especially the preponderance of small, independently owned… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/15/08 |
| Asheville City Council |
Fallout from the spreading national economic debacle is affecting not only financial institutions, investors and taxpayers, but also the city of Asheville, Chief Financial Officer Ben Durant told City Council. The Oct. 7 Council meeting did get off to a positive start. Assistant City Manager Jeff Richardson said the city… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/13/08 |
| Gasoline crisis easing, but city faces other economic woes |
The national economy is taking a dump, and the detritus is affecting not only financial institutions, investors and taxpayers, but also the city of Asheville. That was the word from city Chief Financial Officer Ben Durant, who told City Council on Oct. 7 that the national — and increasingly international… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/08/08 |
| Can we talk? |
Even though it will come late in the game, Rep. Heath Shuler and Carl Mumpower, his Republican challenger for the 11th Congressional District seat, are set to square off in an Oct. 30 debate. The hot seat: U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler chats it up with Take a Stand! radio host… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/08/08 |
| Pridefest a time for GLBT community to coalesce |
Thousands of members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities both locally and nationally will converge in Asheville on Saturday, Oct. 11, to take part in Asheville Pridefest, says organizer Kali Brewer. But while the free event—themed “Live! Love! Be!”—is part party and celebration, the third-annual Pridefest also has… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/08/08 |
| Shuler votes no (again) on bailout |
Rep. Heath Shuler again voted ‘no’ to the massive federal bailout of the struggling financial industry on Oct. 3, but to no avail. After failing to pass muster days earlier in an initial House vote, the measure passed the House the second time around by a 263-171 margin. Shuler joined… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/03/08 |
| Asheville City Council preview: Oct. 7 special meeting |
On what was supposed to be an off week for City Council, it will convene nonetheless in a special meeting to address concerns over local gasoline supply and, more ominously, the potential impacts to the city from the current financial-market meltdown. On the gasoline issue, Council will discuss the city’s… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/03/08 |
| Shuler, Mumpower agree to radio debate |
A debate scheduled for tonight (Oct. 2) in Murphy between Rep. Heath Shuler and challenger Carl Mumpower has been cancelled while Shuler stays in Washington to vote again on a proposed $700 billion bailout for the ailing financial industry. However, both men have agreed to appear jointly for a debate… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/02/08 |
| Biz: C’mon everybody, get happy |
Diane English has held many jobs in her time. She’s been a medical technician, has sold ads and shoes, and served a stint as a newspaper graphic designer “in West-by-God Virginia,” she says. She even owned a metaphysical bookstore in St. Augustine, Fla., for 14 years. Fanny tickler: Diane English,… |
Hal L. Millard |
10/01/08 |
| Shuler votes ‘no’ on $700 billion bailout plan |
Though it’s not over, yesterday Rep. Heath Shuler cast a ‘no’ vote on a $700 billion bailout plan that supporters say is necessary to stem the economic crisis caused by the implosion of the U.S. financial industry. In a statement after the vote, which is to be brought up again… |
Hal L. Millard |
09/30/08 |
| Area employment picture brightens a wee bit |
For months, the area’s unemployment rate has been spiking. Add that to the local gas crisis and the supposed implosion of the U.S. economy (at least the financial sector), and it’s enough to majorly harsh your economic mellow. Well, there’s a glimmer of good news in the latest local job… |
Hal L. Millard |
09/26/08 |
| Mumpower vs. “Shulerman” |
Stymied in his efforts to get Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler to formally debate him, Republican challenger Carl Mumpower says he’s taken matters into his own hands. The result is “Shulerman,” a cardboard cutout that Mumpower intends to tote around to various events to stand in for the incumbent. Mumpower unveiled… |
Hal L. Millard |
09/24/08 |
| Asheville City Council |
Free speech at the Transit Center $60 million in water improvements needed to keep pace with growth Parking on downtown Asheville’s south side could become much easier in the near future. While the Buncombe County commissioners were considering funding a large parking deck on Coxe Avenue at their Sept. 16… |
Hal L. Millard |
09/24/08 |
