Story was published in The Sylva Herald March 4 edition.
Story co-written with Chandler Keller
The Small Business Center at Southwestern Community college will host the HWY 107 Business Summit, a free, all-day event geared towards helping local businesses impacted by the coming U.S. business/N.C. 107 construction.
The event is designed to bring resources and information to help support small local businesses through the construction, organizers say.
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes for N.C. 107 the elimination of the center turn lane with sidewalks replaced and a 5-foot bike lane added. Upgrades are slated for the N.C. 107/U.S. 23 Business intersection, and from U.S. 23 Business to Dillardtown Road and Municipal Drive, near the Sylva Fire Department. DOT’s preliminary estimate listed 55 businesses facing potential relocation, though that number is fluid.
“We are a resource for businesses in the community,” said Tiffany Henry, director of SCC’s Small Business Center. “We are support for them. They are not alone during this time.”
The summit’s goal is supply resources and contacts that business owners can reach out to when needed, she said.
“It’s for the business owners,” Henry said. “How can we help their business better?”
The event website offers the following descriptions of the sessions held at the summit:
• “Highway 107 Project and Zoning Overview” will focus on the overall timelines and next steps of the highway project. It will be led by Jeanette White, NCDOT Senior Project Engineer in charge of R-5600, and John Jeleniewski, Senior Planner with Jackson County Planning Department. Jeleniewski will go over any permits and applications that may be needed to relocate a business.
• “Navigating and Understanding Commercial Leases” will go in-depth to better understanding current or future leases, such as how to determine if a business owner is entitled to payment from DOT due to R-5600 relocation.
• “Overcoming Adversity: Turning Lemons into Lemonade” is a session led by a local nonprofit that was forced to relocate due to road construction and the positive outcome that resulted.
• “How to Have a Great Relationship With Your Landlord” explores ways to foster a better landlord/tenant relationship including best communication strategies, plus identifying who is typically responsible for what and areas of common pitfalls and disputes.
• “Keep Your Audience Engaged With Social Media” explains how to keep customers connected to businesses during the time of transition.
• “Reach Customers Online With Google” teaches the latest and most effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tips and tricks to gain new customers and clicks.
• “Getting Your Financials in Order (for loans, to prove impact)” guides business owners on how to be financially in control of finances to avoid being caught off guard.
• “Creating New Sources of Income (lending resource SF if additional funds are needed)” will help attendees realize creative ways to keep cash flowing.
Sequoyah Fund Executive Director Russ Seagle will also discuss some loan options and how to apply.
Business owners must pre-register to attend the summit.
The HWY 107 Business Summit will take place from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday, March 16 in the Burrell Building, Room 102 A-D.
