General Motors Corp. confirmed Friday it will use an idled assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich., and a parts stamping facility in Pontiac, Mich., to build small and compact cars, instead of its plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. GM confirmed the plant selection in a statement Friday, but said the decision is dependent on the [...]
July 8, 2009
Recession doesn’t stop new businesses in Gatlinburg
Even during the recession, one East Tennessee town is growing. All kinds of businesses are moving into downtown Gatlinburg. New tourist attractions, condo developments, an outdoor center and new retail stores are just a few of the things tourists can enjoy. A new hotel, the first of its kind in the state with an environmentally [...]
July 8, 2009
Mastercraft re-hiring 175 workers, resumes production
Mastercraft in Vonore has resumed production and began re-hiring 175 workers this week. President and CEO John Dorton says some workers reported Monday, some Tuesday and more will come in on Wednesday. Dorton says Mastercraft is building 2010 models. The plant has had sporadic production since February and no production in June. However, it’s now [...]
July 8, 2009
Boeing to buy S.C. Vought plant
The Boeing Co. announced Tuesday it is buying the Vought Aircraft Industries plant in North Charleston, S.C., for $580 million. Vought makes and assembles structures and systems for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the company’s newest commercial jet. It also makes parts for several other Boeing aircraft. The deal is expected to close in the [...]
July 8, 2009
Liberty National Life Insurance to hire 300 in Charlotte
Liberty National Life Insurance Co. has opened three branches in the Charlotte area and plans to hire about 300 workers in sales and management positions. The company will hold a job fair July 15 at Embassy Suites Charlotte at 4800 S. Tryon St. Interviews will be scheduled for 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 6 [...]
July 8, 2009
New gallery opens in Black Mountain
Jewelry designer Dee Sharp has opened a gallery called Art from the Heart. It offers work from regional artisans whose work is not found elsewhere in Western North Carolina, including Christian-themed wood and mosaic work, bird decor, word tiles and Sharp’s own sculpted jewelry designs in sterling and gold. “People traveling through our area want [...]
July 8, 2009
New law firm will focus on education law
Chris Campbell and Dean Shatley are partners in a new law firm specializing in education law. The firm, Campbell Shatley PLLC, now represents more than 25 school districts and colleges in the region, including Buncombe County Schools, Henderson County Schools, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Blue Ridge Community College. Chad Donnahoo is an associate with [...]
July 8, 2009
Jobs picture in WNC may take a while to improve
When Barnardsville resident Roger Compton was laid off from his job as a machinist in January, he tried to think positively. Compton’s parents are getting older, and he used some of his free time to help out on their farm, repairing fences and putting up hay. Managers at his former employer told him they were [...]
