Keep Up to Date on Closings & Openings for each Town Here:
Town of Oak Island -
Town Hall will close at 3:00 pm on Monday, Aug 3 and will re-open on Tuesday, Aug 4 at 10 am. We will resume regular business hours on Wednesday.
-- The Oak Island Pier will close at 5 pm on Monday, Aug 3 and will re-open at 6 am Wednesday, August 5th. -- Oak Island's Par 3 will also close at 12 noon on Monday and re-open on Wednesday morning.
City of Southport
-
Has a curfew starting 8/3 @ 6pm.
At 3pm, Monday August 03, 2020 Bay Street, Brunswick Street, and Yacht Basin Drive will be closed from Kingsley Park to the Southport Marina, and all City Parks and Offices as well.
Town of Caswell Beach
-The Mayor of Caswell Beach has issued a State of Emergency Declaration concerning the approaching tropical storm. It is effective at 6 pm, Sunday, August 2nd. A VOLUNTARY evacuation is ordered for all non-residents, visitors, and renters effective at 8 am, August 3rd.
Village of Bald Head Island -
The Village Council
amended the Village’s State of Emergency
declaration to include a
curfew beginning on Monday, August 3, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
and ending on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Please share this with renters who may not see the Village’s communications. Transportation expectations: Bald Head Island Transportation Inc. announced that the last ferry leaving the island today will be at 3:00 p.m.
|
|
As with most events in 2020, the 45th Annual Meeting of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored by AT&T was different. The lead business organization for the area celebrated its accomplishments for the year in a socially distant and responsible way by going “live” on Facebook Thursday morning.
The annual meeting serves as an opportunity for the organization to transition its leadership, recognize those who have served, and celebrate accomplishments of the local business community.
Lucinda Arnold (Coastal Painting & Improvements) 2019/2020 President opened the meeting by expressing her gratitude to the members, board of directors, members and staff for their support. “I am proud of this business community and this chamber. We have all witnessed generous acts of kindness, strength, resilience and unity through these unprecedented times and the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce has sent a clear message to our membership, that our mission, as a chamber, is to support, advocate and serve its business membership community through what lies ahead, to the best of our ability, always.”
Arnold passed the presidential gavel to the 2020/21 Chamber President Kim Felts (United Bank, d.b.a. CresCom Bank).
|
|
2020/2021 Chamber Board of Directors
|
The Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. Directors are elected annually from the Chamber Membership and serve on the Board for three years.
Newly elected Board members- Teresa Carroll (Edward Jones), Zach Clouser (Clouser Law), Ilene Evans (Dosher Memorial Hospital), Randy Moffitt (Moffitt Builders), and Jeffrey Stites (Southport Magazine)
Join returning directors -
Brenda Bowling (BB&T Oak Island Branch), Ervin Etheridge (BEMC), Ben Frazier (The State Port Pilot), Jessica Fuller (Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS & Octopus Digital), Kristin Goode (Oak Island Accommodations), Duncan Hilburn (Berry, Padgett & Chandler, PLLC), Andrew Laing (Moore Street Market), Jackie Pappas (Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry), Seth Robbins, (Hamilton Realty Group), and Ali Travis (River Road Animal Hospital).
Felts ended the 45th Annual Membership Meeting thanking the meeting sponsor AT&T and encouraging the members of the chamber to be active and to take advantage of the opportunities of membership.
|
|
|
|
|
Don't Miss Out on Any Member Benefits
|
|
Business Hero Award - Moore Street Market
|
Special Recognition – COVID-19 Business Hero Award
was given to Moore Street Market (Bridgett & Andrew Laing). COVID-19 has caused business owners to become more innovative, resilient and flexible. There have been many standout performers in our business community, but no other business started a giving trend like Bridgett & Andrew Laing of Moore Street Market. They have fed countless community heroes and has inspired so many other businesses and individuals in our community.
|
|
|
Tatum Tapped for President's Award
|
Congratulations to Allen Tatum, Tatum Seafood - 2019/2020 Southport Oak Island Chamber of Commerce-Welcome Center President’s Award, which is given to an individual or group that has proved an outstanding service to the community or to the Chamber, was awarded to Allen Tatum (Tatum Seafood). Mr. Tatum recently sold his business but for many years, Tatum Seafood sold the king mackerel caught at the U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, making sure the chamber got top dollar.
|
|
|
Casteen is Ambassador of the Year for 2019/2020
|
Meghan Casteen (First Citizens Bank Oak Island Branch) was recognized as
Ambassador of the Year
, for representing the chamber at Chamber functions and visiting members. Ambassadors are special volunteers who visit with existing members with a purpose of keeping the members abreast of activities, updating contact info and gaining feedback about programs and activities of the Chamber.
|
|
|
Stanley & Woody Retire from Chamber Board
|
2019/2020 Chamber President Lucinda Arnold thanked and recognized the retiring board members, Lynda Stanley (Dosher Memorial Hospital) and James Woody (First Bank) before passing the presidential responsibilities to Kim Felts (United Bank, dba/ CresCom Bank).
|
|
|
New Board Members Take Oath of Office
|
Kim Felts’ first action as President was to thank Lucinda Arnold for her service and administer the Oath of Office to the newly elected Board members- Teresa Carroll (Edward Jones), Zach Clouser (Clouser Law), Ilene Evans (Dosher Memorial Hospital), Randy Moffitt (Moffitt Builders), and Jeffrey Stites (Southport Magazine).
|
|
|
Tag Go Local and Promote Your Business
|
If you would like us to share your post on this page make sure to tag us. How do you tag a us?
- Go to your business Facebook page and click “Write a post”
- Start typing your post.
- To tag another business page, start by typing the @ symbol and the business Page's name.
- Scroll through the options Facebook gives you and select the correct Page.
- Post your status!
|
|
|
A & I Fire & Water Disinfects Chamber
|
The Welcome Center and Chamber offices have been open to the public since after Memorial Day. The Chamber staff has a routine for disinfecting high touch surfaces but this type full office disinfecting gives us peace of mind knowing that we are doing all we can to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Thank you A & I Fire and Water Restortation!
For over 40 years A & I Fire & Water Restoration's goal has been to make sure that your experience with them is responsive, pain-free, and meets with the highest standards when disaster strikes your family or business. Whether it’s water damage, fire, or mold…they are here to help make your house a home again.
If you are interested in this easy and effective way to disinfect your office, restaurant, home or business call Shyra Cottle, Account Executive with A & I Fire & Water Restoration at (910) 799-5135,
email
or visit their website at
https://www.ai-restoration.com/
|
|
|
Need More Bike and Walking Trails? Take the survey
|
The NC 211 East Coast Greenway Feasibility Study project is entering into the public involvement stage. To that end, they need your help. McAdams has developed a survey they would like to engage you, the public to help shape the corridor study. They have also created a short video to introduce the project. Watch the video and take the short video. The 10-15 minutes you take today could mean the world of difference for more bike and walking trails in the future.
https://capefearcog.org/nc211ecg/
|
|
|
Put Your Life in Focus and Your Business Will Thrive
|
Nellie loves acronyms. She uses STRIDE to keep life in focus (stress management, thinking/self talk, rest, intake/food and water, do-get moving, and establish new habits).
Pat encouraged self love and self trust. Also to not allow the world around you to negatively influence your well-being.
The next Out of the Box Learning will be held on August 20th at 5pm. Topic: The Secret Life of Pets, when you're back at work...or not. Presenter: Ali Travis DVM,
River Road Animal Hospital.
|
|
|
Jobs Listing On Chamber Website
|
Looking for help? Did you know the Chamber will post job listings on its website?
Just send us your opening details including how long you want to run the listing and to whom the applicant should contact. Send by email
events@southport-oakisland.com
We will post your job listing for FREE.
|
|
|
US Chamber Comparison of Phase 4
|
Click Here
for a side-by-side summary of the House and Senate Phase 4 proposals (7/31/2020), & the U.S. Chamber’s recommendations. Their recommendations follow what they identified in their
letter
to Congress earlier this month focused on five priority areas—Liability Protection Against Unwarranted Lawsuits, Support for Small and Midsize Employers, Support for Childcare and K-12 Schools, Unemployment and Job Training, and State and Local Assistance.
|
|
|
Do you want FREE promotion of your business? Sign up now for a 3-5 minute conversation on Facebook Live on a Thursday at 10am about your business. Call Karen at (910) 457-6964 or email
karen@southport-oakisland.com
to schedule.
|
|
|
Businesses Still Making a Connection Weekly
|
Login
on Tuesdays at 12noon and Connect with your fellow businessmen and women. Make a connection and they will promote your business. Last year this group referred over $1.6 million dollars to each other.
10 minute presenters this month:
8/4- NO CONNECTIONS
|
|
|
Design Was Focus of July Coffee with the Girls
|
Donna Gonzales, DJ's Interior Design was our speaker yesterday for Coffee with the Girls. Donna presented helpful information about color choices and how the use of color in different manners can ground your design. She also took the time to give us hints on how to choose a sofa and the different types cushion construction.
Donna is a very talented designer with years of experience. For those who remember Trading Spaces on TLC, she worked with the production company on that show. She can now assist you with home staging, paint color selection, total house interior design, accessory placement and more. Check out her designs on
Houzz
609.217-4828
The next Coffee with the Girls will be held on
Webex
on August 18th at 8am.
|
|
|
COVID-19 Business News...
|
|
|
On 7/21/2020, the Brunswick County Schools Board of Education voted to begin the 2020-2021 school year with 100% remote learning for all students for the first 4.5 weeks of the school year. *Please note, those who signed up for the remote learning option will continue remote learning for the entire first semester of the school year. So mandatory 4.5 weeks of remote learning for all students, full semester of remote learning for those who apply via the link. First day of school scheduled for August 17th.
Lawyers for Good Government
- At the start of the Covid shutdown, a group of North Carolina lawyers created a service to provide legal counsel to companies with less than 25 employees. For companies with less than 25 employees, and who have a Covid-related question, they offer 45 minutes of free legal advice for which there is no limit, although one is unlikely to get the same lawyer. All lawyers are members of the bar in North Carolina. Accessing this service is easy: go to the website:
https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/covid-smallbusiness.
Issues that they say they are prepared to address include: Federal regulations under Care/PPL/Eidl, Commercial leases, Employment law, Insurance, Bankruptcy, Record Keeping, Contract Enforcement, Tax, Liability (on reopening) and Recovery Deposits.
Student Response Corps
- The NC COVID-19 Student Response Corps initiative is part of Governor Cooper’s
NC Job Ready effort to make sure North Carolinians are prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow. The program helps strengthen the public service talent pipeline and prepares North Carolina’s students for employment, matching North Carolina college students in need of work experience with local governments and nonprofits seeking additional help to support COVID-19 response efforts.
Request an Intern Here
.
LISC Small Business Relief Grant
- supporting small businesses and enterprises affected the Covid-19 across the country, especially those in under served communities, including entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses that often lack access to flexible, affordable capital. Round 5 opened July 27th and will close at 11:59pm
today, August 3rd. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.
Click for Application Info
Count On Me NC
-
As North Carolina’s restaurants, hotels, attractions and shops reopen,
Count On Me NC
is a public health initiative that empowers guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe from COVID-19. Become a Count On Me NC business by taking COVID-19 training developed by public health officials. Course is quick and full of good information. Encourage your employees to take the course and post your Count On Me NC sticker in your window. If you have taken this course take a photo with your certifiate and
email it to Cheryle
at Brunswick County Cooperative Extension for some extra promotion.
|
|
Leadership BC Program Cancels for 2020/2021
|
Leadership Brunswick County
is a program sponsored by Brunswick Community College and the Southport-Oak Island Area, North Brunswick and Brunswick County Chambers of Commerce to develop corps of informed, committed and qualified individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership for Brunswick County. Beginning each September for nine months, program participants travel throughout the county visiting various locations and interacting with existing leaders in social, political, economic, cultural and educations systems.
Due to issues related to COVID-19, the Leadership Brunswick County Organizing Committee has canceled the 2020/2021 class. “The health of our participants and presenters is priority. In addition, the Committee was concerned that a virtual environment would affect the participants’ ability to make the personal interactions necessary to create lasting support networks.” said Timothy Randall, chair of the Leadership Brunswick County Organizing Committee.
Randall continued by saying “We look forward to resuming the program in September 2021”.
|
|
|
August Coffee with the Girls
|
Join us on Tuesday, August 18th at 8:00am for Coffee with the Girls.
|
|
|
The Secret Life of Pets is the Focus of next Out of Box
|
The next Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce Out of the Box Learning session will be on WebEx, Thursday, August 20
th
at 5pm titled “The Secret Life of Pets – when you’re back at work…or not” Ali Travis DVM,
River Road Animal Hospital
will present.
“Grab a beverage and join us virtually for a relaxed educational experience” said Jackie Pappas, (Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry) Chair of the Out of the Box Learning Committee.
|
|
|
We welcome the following businesses to membership in the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce:
Columbus County EMS, Inc.
Raven Williamson
205 W. Main Street, Whiteville, NC 28472
(910) 770-1016
Private ambulance company providing medical transport needs to citizens of Columbus and Brunswick County.
DJ’s Interior Design, LLC
Donna Gonzales
5043 Glen Cove Drive, Southport, NC 28461
(609) 217-4828
Full service design and decorating and real estate staging.
Marine Service Pro, Inc.
Leon Messer Jr.
8210 River Road, Southport, NC 28461
(910) 363-4725 or (910) 477-2862
Boat Dealership, Tackle Shop, Fish Processing & Seafood Market
Octopus Digital
Jessica Fuller
4525 Fleetwood Drive, SE, Southport, NC 28461
(910) 408-4877
A local digital marketing agency that seeks to assist other small businesses in defining their brand identify through a customized and balanced marketing strategy. Services primarily include digital marketing efforts like social media management, website and blog content creation, search engine optimization, and email and newsletter management as well as physical marketing such as creation of print and display advertising.
****
Thank you Ben Frazier and Mark Register for bringing in a new member. For their effort they will receive a referral check in the amount of 10% of the new member's dues.
|
|
Registration for US Open King Mackerel Opens
|
The U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament will be held at the Southport Marina October 1st - 3rd. There are many changes to this year's tournament due to COVID-19 restrictions including NO Spectators, and moving the Captain's Meeting & Awards Ceremonies to virtual but we will hold the tournament. More information can be found at
www.usopenkmt.com
|
|
|
Thank you to the following businesses who have renewed their membership investment into the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce:
|
|
|
A Clean House, Inc.
Debbie and Kent Wood
Design for Living
Emily Humphreys
|
|
H. Richard Ishler, Jr.
Ilene Evans
Island Contracting, Inc.
|
|
Positive Vibrations
Seaside Chaplaincy Services
Woodside Trailer RV Park
|
|
Group Workers Compensation Thru Chamber Group
|
In need of Worker's Compensation Insurance? Check out the Chamber's Group Plan through NC Retail Merchants Association and First Benefit Insurance Mutual.
You are eligible because you are a member of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce.
|
|
|
Thank you to all the members who have renewed! This year we asked you to consider a voluntary donation of $15.00 in addition to your membership investment to cover the ever-increasing building maintenance costs at your Chamber. We are humbled to give some extra recognition to the members who are in the 100+ Club as of July 31st:
|
|
|
A Clean House, Inc.
Debbie and Kent Wood
Design for Living
Emily Humphreys
|
|
H. Richard Ishler, Jr.
Ilene Evans
Island Contracting, Inc.
|
|
Positive Vibrations
Seaside Chaplaincy Services
Woodside Trailer RV Park
|
|
 |
Members provide news, information and articles about their business which is shared electronically with fellow members and the general public through a Direct Email Campaign and on the Chamber's Facebook Page. The deadline for submission is the 12th of every month. No display ads accepted. Include a jpeg photo with your copy in Word. Submissions by email only. E-Mail Subject must be Member News.
|
|
|
|
Calendar of Chamber Events
|
|
8/4 Business Connections – NO CONNECTIONS
8/6 Faces of Commerce – 10am -LIVE on FACEBOOK –
8/11 Business Connections – 12:oopm – 1:00pm via Webex Conference Call
8/13 Faces of Commerce – 10am -LIVE on FACEBOOK -
8/18 Coffee with the Girls- 8am via Webex Conference Call
8/18 Business Connections – 12:oopm – 1:00pm via Webex Conference Call
8/20 Faces of Commerce – 10am -LIVE on FACEBOOK -
8/20 Out of the Box Learning – 5pm via WebEx Happy Hour –The Secret Life of Pets – when you’re back at work…or not. Presenter: Ali Travis DVM,
River Road Animal Hospital.
8/25 Business Connections – 12:oopm – 1:00pm via Webex Conference Call
|
|
4433 Long Beach Road, SE
Southport, North Carolina 28461
info@southport-oakisland.com
910.457-6964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
