Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
High Country Business Network Meets in Lenoir January 18
The High Country Business Network will hold a business networking event from 5:15 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 18, at Bo’s Bodacious Family Entertainment Center at 1115 Blowing Rock Boulevard/US Highway 321 in Lenoir. This event will feature an opportunity for business people—both established and new—to network with each other and enjoy light hors d’oeuvres for the purpose of meeting others in the community interested in starting or expanding their business. This event is open to everyone connected to business, including those currently in business or wishing to start their own business; professionals such as lawyers, accountants and insurance agents; public and private service providers; county and town officials; economic developers; and community and nonprofit leaders. The HCBN offers networking opportunities for regional business people to get together and share ideas about their business ideas, development and growth. Aspiring entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to attend. The Blue Ridge Entrepreneurial Network (BREC), a program of AdvantageWest NC, the regional economic development partnership for western NC, is a co-sponsor of this event.
Following the networking portion of the event, Jason Richardson of Bo’s will give a presentation on Combining Entertainment, Food and Fun as a Business Strategy. at approximately 6:15 p.m. Richardson is president of Colson Park Entertainment, owner of Bo’s. Richardson’s creative vision resulted in the recent development of the innovative family entertainment center in Lenoir—a 42,000 square foot complex containing 24 bowling lanes, an arcade, ice cream parlor, snack bar and full-service restaurant. At a capital improvement cost of over $16 million dollars and the creation of several dozen badly needed full-time jobs, Bo’s has been a positive shot in the arm for Caldwell County. The philosophy of Richardson’s organization is “Look beyond the obvious, together we can realize projects others cannot see.”
The High Country Business Network is a regional support system for small business and entrepreneur development in the High Country. HCBN is committed to promoting a culture of entrepreneurship by providing networking and educational opportunities to the region’s emerging and established business communities. In essence, HCBN creates the forum for High Country business communities to participate in networking activities and business development seminars to encourage entrepreneurs and new business formation.
Directions from Boone: Bo’s is located 25 miles south down the mountain from the Walgreens Pharmacy on US 321. Take US 321 south and turn right into the parking lot of Bo’s after the second stoplight at the bottom of the mountain in Lenoir. It’s at the same intersection as the Broyhill and Blue Ridge Electric corporate headquarters in Lenoir.
For questions, call Chilton Rogers at 828-262-6662. To RSVP, email ardi@ardi.appstate.edu or call 828-262-6662. To be a sponsor of this program, or any of the other HCBN events across the region, contact Brian Crutchfield, Sponsorship Chair, at bcrutchfield@blueridgeemc.com.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday, January 18
Time: 5:15 to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Bo’s Bodacious Family Entertainment Center, Lenoir
Cost: Free