Business Buzz: 3/16/22

March 16, 2022

Announcement:

  • For nearly 30 years, IFB Solutions’ Asheville facility has been the primary manufacturer and supplier of the U.S. military’s “woobies,” the beloved multi-use poncho liner issued to U.S. Army and Marine soldiers. Used as wearable insulation, makeshift shelters and sleeping bags by generations of servicemen and women, each woobie deployed in the packs of American troops is cut, stitched, assembled and packed within the 73,000-square-foot facility at 240 Sardis Road in west Asheville. Until recently, these authentic military-grade tactical blankets were exclusive to the U.S. armed forces. But now, for the first time ever, the very same woobie shipped to the military is available for all through IFB’s Amazon site, Pinnacle Mercantile, for $99. Learn more here.

Happenings:

  • Merrell + Namaste in Nature are hosting a free Women’s Wellness Self Care Sampler event and giveaway. Happening on Saturday, March 26 from 11am – 1pm in Pack Square Park downtown, women of all ages are welcome to treat themselves to a variety of wellness activities led by Miranda, the owner and founder of Namaste in Nature, including breathing techniques, yoga stretches and much more. This event is rain or shine. Learn more here.
  • Leadership Asheville Forum is holding a special two-part series on housing in Western North Carolina. “Housing in WNC: Engaging to Make a Difference – Part I” Forum will be held on Wednesday, March 23 beginning at noon at the Country Club of Asheville. “Housing in WNC: Engaging to Make a Difference – Part II” (details to come on March 24) will be held on Wednesday, April 6 at the UNC Asheville Reuter Center beginning at 5:30 pm. LAF members have priority for registration. Membership is encouraged, but not required. The topics covered in these LAF forums will be comprehensive, covering housing cost, supply, mix (rental vs. owned, single-family vs. dense), zoning for housing, the challenges developers face, redlining and its continuing impact, and affordable housing. Learn more here.
  • The Magnetic Theatre is opening its mainstage season with Court of the Grandchildren, running April 8 through April 23 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 4pm, and Thursday, April 14 at 7:30pm. The year is 2051. Artificial Intelligence has become so ubiquitous that the young people are starting to rebel. The older generation that accelerated climate change is being brought to trial. And climate activist Lily thinks she has it all figured out. Until she meets her great uncle, David, who changes her perspective completely. Buy tickets and learn more here.

Hire:

  • AdventHealth Hendersonville has announced Courteney MacKuen, MD, MPH has been named the new Medical Director of the Emergency Department. Dr. MacKuen brings her extensive background of leadership and medical education experience to the new role. In 2019, Dr. MacKuen came to the Emergency Department of AdventHealth Hendersonville as part of the board-certified emergency medicine physicians provided by Wake Forest Baptist Health. She served as the Assistant Medical Director of the Emergency Department. Dr. MacKuen earned her bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA. She then went on to earn her master’s degree in Public Health from the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Public Health in Chapel Hill, NC and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. MacKuen completed her Emergency Medicine residency program at Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Learn more here.
  • AdventHealth has welcomed Corey Anderson, PA-C to its team at AdventHealth Medical Group Integrative Medicine at Medical Office Building*. Anderson will be serving alongside Royce Bailey, MD to provide whole-person care through integrated treatments to care for people – body, mind and spirit. Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree in Management with a concentration in Marketing from the University of North Carolina in Asheville, NC and went on to earn his Physician Assistant Master’s degree from Wingate University. He has experience in family medicine and outpatient Internal Medicine and has a particular passion for prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes management, and Mental Health. Learn more here.

Opening:

  • Key Autism Services will be opening a new location in Asheville. The center officially opened on March 14, 2022. Key Autism Service’s goal is to meet the expanding need of Autism services in WNC. The Key Autism Services Asheville clinic can be described as a welcoming and playful space. An open house will be held on April 2 and will allow local families to tour the facilities while children enjoy face paintin, balloon animals, snacks and a visit from Spiderman and other characters. Register for the free open house and learn more about KAS here.

Opportunity:

  • Dogwood Health Trust has announced a new request for proposals from non-profit, non-traditional small business lenders, such as Community Development Financial Institutions, revolving loan funds, Economic Development Corporations, and similar lenders that serve the 18 counties of Western North Carolina, including the Qualla Boundary. The application will be posted on March 28 and responses are due by 5:00 pm on May 16, 2022. Award notifications will be made by the end of July 2022 with funds being distributed in September 2022. Organizations that wish to learn more or apply are encouraged to attend one of two virtual information sessions: March 29 and April 20, both at 12:00 pm. To register, visit Dogwood’s Economic Opportunity webpage.