SALISBURY — Dr. Adam Ginn, an orthopedic surgeon with Novant Health Pinnacle Orthopedics, has been elected to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.
He is the only doctor in Rowan County to receive this honor, which recognizes surgeons who have earned additional board certification in the specialty of hand surgery. Ginn operates at Novant Health Rowan Medical Center and Novant Health Julian Road outpatient surgery center.
“Dr. Ginn’s extensive training in hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder surgery allows us to offer comprehensive and advanced orthopedic treatment options to patients right here at home,” said Dari Caldwell, hospital president. “We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber here in our community.”
Ginn specializes in the treatment and surgery of all problems of the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand, including rotator cuff tears, tendon and nerve injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis and complex fractures. He is skilled in arthroscopy and microsurgery, allowing him to provide advanced care for challenging orthopedic conditions.
SALISBURY — Swing Transport Inc. recently won a platinum award from Great West Casualty Co. as part of the 2013 National Safety Awards Program, as well as the top award for workplace safety.
This marks the seventh consecutive year that Swing has earned the highest honor from Great West. Wayne Whitley of Swing Transport accepted the award.
Swing Transport is a dry good carrier founded in 1975 and headquartered in Salisbury. The company has terminals located in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Great West Casualty congratulated the company for working to make the roads safer for the motoring public.
The National Safety Awards program recognizes carriers in similar operations with awards based on year-end preventable accident results. Platinum is the highest of four award levels. The workplace safety award recognizes trucking companies for dedication to creating and fostering a safe work environment for their employees.
SALISBURY — Business owners in the Salisbury area now have more options for free one-on-one business counseling. 
The Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center, in partnership with the Rowan Chamber, is expanding its program. To make an appointment, go to www.rccc.edu/sbc. Click “free confidential counseling.” When completing the section on assistance requested, add the words “Salisbury counselor.”
In addition, business owners can take advantage of the expertise of these four volunteer counselors:
• Jim Publicover, owner of Amulet Business Advisors in Winston-Salem. He has more than 30 years of experience in business ownership and management from start-up to business turn-around. The second Monday of each month at 2:30 p.m.
• Maia Smith, owner of Maia’s Fashions and Renu Derma Natural Cosmetics in downtown Salisbury. Passionate about helping business owners with her expertise in product development, retail and internet marketing. The first Thursday of each month at 3:15 p.m. 
• Tracey Browning, founder and CEO of Outreach Strategic Marketing. Expertise in social media and developing a comprehensive online marketing strategy. The third Thursday of each month at 11:00 a.m.
• Brannon Williams, founder and managing partner of Art’s Cube, a Salisbury-based marketing firm. Ready to help business owners and prospective owners with start-up issues, business plan development and marketing strategy. The third Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m.  
To learn more, contact Barbara Hall, director of the RCCC Small Business Center, at barbara.hall@rccc.edu or 704-216-3534.
KANNAPOLIS — Business-to-science partnerships are driving growth of the Plant Pathways Elucidation Project at the N.C. Research Campus.
A $1.9 million investment in P2EP is boosting the campus’ collaborative approach to research, revealing new findings about plants and how they produce beneficial compounds, all while training the next generation of scientists.
P2EP launched its second summer with 40 students, almost double last year’s number. The expansion is due to P2EP’s sponsors.
Duke Energy Foundation donated $150,000, for a total contribution of $250,000. Associated Hotel Groups, which owns the Holiday Inn Express-Kannapolis, established a scholarship program funded by a portion of hotel reservations from people doing business at the N.C. Research Campus.
“We are finding that we have opportunities for business-to-science partnerships that have never existed before in our region,” said Clyde Higgs, vice president of business development for the campus. “Those partnerships are training the next generation of scientists and are a significant part of the NCRC’s growth.”
P2EP is a hands-on workforce development research program that engages students from 12 colleges and universities and two high schools. The interns work with industry and academic scientists to map the genomes of broccoli, blueberries, strawberries and oats.
They are also creating bioinformatic knowledge bases of genetic data. The project aims to advance scientific knowledge about nutrition and plants, as well as train the students for careers in science.
For information about how to get involved, e-mail partner@ncresearchcampus.net.
HIGH POINT — The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta recently awarded Bank of North Carolina $500,000 through the 2014 Affordable Housing Program to support the revitalization and construction of the Bellamy Veterans Project, a 12 unit multi-family residential development in Davidson County.
The Lexington Housing Authority requested Bank of North Carolina to be the local sponsor bank in the application process to The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.
“Bellamy is a Davidson County iconic property, so this will be good for the community,” said Larry Link, commercial relationship manager with BNC. “And as a veteran myself, I know it will be good for veterans with housing needs.”
CHARLOTTE — Great Films has launched Great Films Music Group, a media conglomerate based in Columbia, S.C., that will host an open music showcase free to the public for artists to display their talent.
The free event will take place in Columbia on July 31 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the South Carolina Film Institute, 2927 Devine St. Suite 130 in Columbia.
“We are excited to offer an avenue for artists to actively exercise their talents while working towards the ultimate goal of notoriety and success,” said music producer Marcus McCall. “We want to expose the untapped talent in and around our state.”
Applicants should have a demo tape or CD, instrument and be prepared to perform on the spot. Artist unable to attend should submit their info/music to producer@greatfilms.tv.
Wal-Mart’s Canadian business named former Delhaize executive Dirk Van den Berghe as its chief executive as it looks to strengthen its food business in the country, according to a Reuters report.
Van den Berghe was Delhaize’s CEO for the company’s Belgium and Luxembourg operations.
He succeeds Shelley Broader, who is now CEO of the retailer’s operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada. Van den Berghe will report to Broader, Wal-Mart Canada said.
Wal-Mart is facing stiff competition in Canada as home-grown retailers Loblaw Cos Ltd. and Metro Inc. as well as U.S.-based chains such as Target Corp. jostle for bigger slices of the crowded market.
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