TwoBoros Performance Shop is the first Late Model Stock Car Team in Wilkes County since the 1990s. The performance shop owner Seth Cohn shared that they are in the first development phase and currently have one full-time driver, Dylon Wilson. Cohn plans to expend the $6,000 grant towards equipment and safety for growing their current Driver Development program and developing a Speedway Driver Experience where racing fans could rent a car to drive around the track or accompany a professional driver on a first-hand racing experience. Stay up to date with the Shop by following their Facebook page: TwoBoros Performance Shop | Wilkesboro NC | Facebook
The Lost Owl Glamping is a unique camping destination with luxury tents, geodesic domes, cabins, and tree houses. Owner, Eiryn Reynolds, came up with the idea to allow guests to enjoy the great outdoors while having a comfortable space to end the day. All units will have décor and luxury bedding, while larger units will contain coffee and tea stations with complimentary amenities for each guest. Reynolds plans to allocate her $3,000 grant towards infrastructure as they continue building the units and start on a camping store. The store will allow guests to shop for convenience items they may need during their stay without ever having to leave the site. To contact Eiryn Reynolds, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Brushy Mountain CrossFit, located at 301 L St in North Wilkesboro, offers instructor-directed group classes focusing on functional fitness and promoting overall wellness. Owner, Meagan Reavis, opened Brushy Mountain CrossFit to provide a space where a community could be built centered around being healthy. The gym opened in September of 2022 and has grown faster than expected. Meagan received a grant of $3,000 for storage equipment that will allow more space in the gym for their growing community. To learn more about Brushy Mountain CrossFit, please visit www.brushymountaincrossfit.com.
Patti’s Leather and Shoe Repair moved from their Elkin location and opened their new location in North Wilkesboro in January 2023. They specialize in shoe repairs, patching, and accessory attachment or repair. They plan to offer retail products such as conditioners, waterproofing, polishes, and more for quality shoe and leather care. Owner, Patricia Miller, received a $1,500 grant and will use it towards equipment for the shop’s apprenticeship. She will continue working with Laurie Brintle-Jarvis at the Small Business Center (SBC) to set up an apprenticeship program through Apprenticeship NC. Learn more about their services and get a quote today on leather and shoe repairs! Patti's Leather & Shoe Repair - Shoe Repair Shop in North Wilkesboro (business.site)
Wilkes EDC President LeeAnn Nixon thanked this cycle's judges. "Their dedication to the program is more than apparent. The judging panel features local business advocates from North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro and regional support organizations for startups. Applicants can often find referrals and advice they didn't know they needed, thanks to their experience and knowledge." The Spring 2023 judges were Doren Tripp of The Masthead; Taylor Gann of The Town of North Wilkesboro; Lesa Hensley of First Community Bank; Thomas Salley of Wilkesboro Tourism Development Authority; and David Henson, Small Business Technology Development Center. And we give a special thanks to Laurie Brintle-Jarvis of the Wilkes Community College Small Business Center for continuing to help applicants with their Business Plans and Financial Summaries during the grant cycle and we thank the SBC for being a sponsor of the Spring 2023 Entrepreneurial Grant Program. Laurie establishes relationships with businesses to ensure their success by providing free and confidential business coaching services to small business owners in Wilkes, Ashe, and Allegheny counties. Contact her office or visit the Small Business Center's website for information and more resources.
Francisco Martinez, Marketing Manager for Wilkes EDC, said “We received more applications this round and it is great more local businesses are hearing about this program. Entrepreneurship is strong in Wilkes County and the support for these businesses is growing. The program offers more than an opportunity to receive grants; it also provides the chance to engage with resources and discover additional avenues. Contact us if you would like to become an active sponsor and support Wilkes' entrepreneurship through this program.”
Robin Hamby, Vice President of Wilkes EDC has led this grant program for the past ten years. “We appreciate the financial backing this program receives from generous sponsors. For the benefit of new and existing businesses alike, it is essential that this program be offered twice yearly. We are pleased to provide this grant opportunity every six months.” The future of this program relies on sponsorships to encourage entrepreneurship. Wilkes EDC hopes to continue holding it twice yearly in the Spring and Fall. Wilkes Community College Small Business Center, and Wilkes EDC were sponsors for Spring 2023 program. Funding commitments for the Fall 2023 Entrepreneurial Grant Program are starting to come in, but we still need sponsorships to meet our goal of $12,500 for the next grant cycle.
Program Sponsorships are available at various levels, with private and in-kind donations also accepted. Each level above Bronze allows the donor to be recognized even further. All our program sponsors receive free promotional marketing on the Entrepreneurial Grant webpage, an announcement in the EDC's Monthly Activity Report, and are honored guests at our Annual Meeting. If you are interested in supporting entrepreneurship and economic development in Wilkes County, don't hesitate to contact our office at (336) 838-1501 or visit our Investor Page for more information.
ABOUT
The Wilkes Economic Development Corporation, a 501c3 public-private partnership, aims to facilitate the creation of new jobs and capital investment in Wilkes County through the retention and expansion of existing businesses and the recruitment of new businesses. The EDC is located at 213 Ninth Street in historic downtown North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. For more information about Wilkes EDC, visit www.WilkesEDC.com or contact LeeAnn Nixon at 336-838-1501 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..