Business

Several new businesses opening in Columbus County

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 5:42pm

Several new businesses opening in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Business in Columbus County is booming, according to Jennifer Holcomb, Director of the Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Tourism Development Authority Business.

Holcomb says that so far this year, 14 new businesses have opened, with most of them being small businesses.

Holcomb says that next week, two more ribbon cuttings are scheduled, and five more are in the process of being scheduled.

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2 BB&T locations could close their doors

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 5:07pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The BB&T branches in Fair Bluff and Lake Waccamaw could be closing down, according to Fair Bluff Mayor Randy Britt who said he received a call with the news a few days ago.

Britt said he was told the banks are not producing like they should.

The mayor said he's seen several banks come through Fair Bluff and leave after they reach a certain size and they can't help it grow anymore.

Britt believes the only way a bank will succeed in Fair Bluff is if it's a small, community bank with its purpose to serve the area.

The mayor plans to make some calls soon to see if there's any interest for another bank to come to town. He thinks it's ridiculous people could have to drive nearly 20 miles for a bank.

WECT is waiting on a call from BB&T to confirm it is closing the two locations.

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Dept. of Aging owes more than $68,000

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Tuesday, April 16th, 2013, 12:13pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Officials in Columbus County wrapped up a self audit Monday on the county’s Department of Aging.

The report reveals the department will have to pay the state a little over $68,000 for money it received for services the department did not give to clients.

The self-audit stemmed from complaints from a client earlier in the year about not receiving services from the Department of Aging that were paid for.

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Blue Bell is now serving stores in the area

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013, 11:51am

Blue Bell is now serving stores in the area

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Blue Bell Ice Cream is now serving stores in the Wilmington area.

According to a news release, the distribution center is located on Highway 421 off Interstate 140 and employs eight to ten people.

The facility will serve Wilmington, Jacksonville, New Bern, Morehead City, Ocean Isle Beach, Southport, Shallotte and Whiteville.

Blue Bell Ice Cream is now sold at Walmart, Lowes Foods, Piggly Wiggly and other local supermarkets, drug stores and convenience stores.

Blue Bell is based out of Brenham, Texas.

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Surprise proposal caught on cam

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Monday, April 1st, 2013, 10:35am

WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) – One lucky woman in Whiteville recently got the surprise of her life…and it was all caught on camera.

Kat Newton’s boyfriend, Kyle, orchestrated an elaborate surprise proposal at Collier’s Jewelers.

She hosts a show called Brunswick Biz for ATMC and thought an interview with a jeweler at the business was just part of the job. Instead, her fiancé showed up on one knee to surprise her.

You can watch the entire proposal in the video above or by clicking here if you're on a mobile phone.

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Dollar General fined for price scanning errors

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, March 21st, 2013, 11:35am

Dollar General fined for price scanning errors

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A Dollar General store in Columbus County is facing fines for excessive price scanning errors.

According to officials with the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division, the Dollar General off Cronley Drive in Delco paid more than $2,000 in civil penalties after five failed inspections.

Officials said the failed inspections began last April. They said the store passed its sixth inspection.

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Commissioners discuss incentive grant for business expansion

Submitted by Justin West, Assignment Manager

Monday, March 18th, 2013, 11:45am

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Columbus County will discuss an economic incentive grant for a business to expand during their meeting Monday night.

West Fraser Timber, which already employees 200 workers in Columbus County, is planning to expand its operations.

Columbus County Economic Director Gary Lanier has put together a grant package worth almost $250,000 over five years. The project involves a total investment by West Fraser of $8,000,000 and the creation of six to eight jobs.

It is estimated that the grant would cover approximately 76% of taxes that West Fraser would have to pay over the next five years.

An earlier draft of the agreement called for the company to create a minimum number of jobs, but that item was dropped in the final draft.

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