Health Insurance Pilot Project Becoming a Reality

The Health Insurance Pilot Program or H.B. 212 passed the North Carolina General Assembly on August 6 and was delivered to Governor Perdue on Friday, August 7 where it awaits her signature of approval. The Health Insurance Pilot Program aims to allow the pooling of small and large businesses with hopes to demonstrate an affordable employer based health insurance plan for businesses. The pilot program could help to insure as many as 25,000 workers in the Asheville area. The Chamber and the Business Healthcare Roundtable have been working on a plan to provide affordable health insurance for local employees and employers for the past six years. Learn more about the Health Insurance Pilot Project on the Chamber Blog.

Chamber Classic Golf Tournament presented by Asheville Elevator

Returning to the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa on August 17, this annual tournament for golfers from member businesses is full of networking, camaraderie and fun!

• Great networking with fellow business professionals
• The “famous” buffet lunch from ED Boudreaux’s Bayou Bar-B-Que
• Awards reception catered by Savoy
• Chance to win a two-year lease on a BMW Z4 Roadster from BMW of Asheville!
• Loads of fun hole contests and prizes sponsored by Chamber members!

The tournament is a shotgun start. There are two flights, morning and afternoon. The last day to register for the event is Wednesday August 12.  Download the registration form and register today! Questions? Call 828.232.2247 or email Laura Wolf!

Fourth Annual Elected Officials Reception presented by Mountain Council for Accountable Development

Chamber members will have a great opportunity to meet and network with public and private leaders from throughout our region on August 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Chamber during the Elected Officials Reception. Elected officials from Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties, as well as municipalities in our region, have been invited to participate. The event is free for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. For additional information, please contact Jeff Joyce at 828.258.6122. Register online today!

This week on the Chamber Blog

• Asheville based parents launch Divvy for Life. The game aims to teach children the basics of money management so that they can learn healthy financial habits early in life.
• The internet radio show, Best Boomer Towns, hosted by Nancy Shonka recently featured Asheville, NC. The Chamber's own Jane Anderson, VP of Member Services, was a guest on the show.
  
• Watch a promotional video for a United Way fundraising event, Mystery in the Mountains, taking place on August 27 at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Biltmore Village.

Small Business of the Month: The Chocolate Fetish

The Small Business of the Month for August is The Chocolate Fetish located at 36 Haywood St. in Asheville. The Chocolate Fetish was established in 1986 and purchased by current owners, Bill and Sue Foley, in 2002. With chocolatiers trained both in Europe and the US, The Chocolate Fetish manufactures and markets fine artisan chocolates, using a proprietary blend of chocolates from five different countries.

The Chocolate Fetish has a strong commitment to Helpmate and supports, as well, Mission Hospital Children’s Charities and the Homeless Shelter.

Grove Park Inn’s Blue Ridge Dining Room Celebrates 21 years!

The Grove Park Inn’s Blue Ridge Dining Room turns 21! Celebrate and indulge in an amazingly spectacular brunch buffet this Sunday, August 16, for just $19.88. For reservations call 800.438.5800. For a complete menu visit: groveparkinn.com/BRDR-1988/

Ambrose Landscapes Leads Day of Caring at Local Elementary School

On Thursday, September 3,  Ambrose Landscapes will be volunteering a day to help organize the Day of Caring at Hominy Valley Elementary School. With limited funds from the school and donations by Vulcan Stone, Carolina Mulch and others, many community groups work throughout the day to landscape and beautify the school. Contact Denise Richards at Hominy Valley Elementary School at 828.665.0619 if you would like to donate time or materials.