Linder opens facility in Kannapolis 

Linder Industrial Machinery has opened a state-of-the-art facility at 5733 Davidson Highway in Kannapolis. In collaboration with the Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce and the city of Kannapolis, a ribbon-cutting was held Thursday.

The 44,000-square-foot building is equipped with 12 service bays, an open floor plan and work stations, and a high-tech parts and warehouse efficiency system. The facility will employ 60 people with room to double that number in the future.

“This new location will afford us the opportunity to build upon the growth Linder has achieved in the market while enhancing our ability to provide the full-service support our customers need,” said John Coughlin, president and CEO.

“With the amount of construction happening in our region, Linder will be busy. We welcome them as corporate partners to our community and look forward to a successful partnership,” said Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

Chamber of Commerce announces support of local bills

The Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors recently voted to support the following bills being considered by the N.C. General Assembly:

• House Bill 399, Historic Preservation Act of 2019: The bill would delay the sunset of tax credits for historic rehabilitation as well as increase tax credits for rehabilitating income-producing historic structures.

• House Bill 329, electric car charging stations: The bill would amend the definition of “public utility” such that a person who uses an electric vehicle charging station to resell electricity to the public is not considered a “public utility” if certain conditions apply.

• House Bill 171, China Grove annexation: The bill would exempt China Grove from the 10% area cap on voluntary satellite annexations.

• Senate Bill 506, High Rock Lake safety buoys: With local Sen. Carl Ford as co-sponsor, this bill would provide funds for the installation of safety buoys and directional beacons on High Rock Lake, with $500,000 in nonrecurring funds for the installation and $50,000 in recurring funds for upkeep.

• House Bill 84 and Senate Bill 63, Kannapolis annexation: The two bills would add certain properties to the corporate limits of Kannapolis and authorize the city to exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction over the annexed property.

• House Bill 655, North Carolina Health Care for Working Families: The legislation would provide health coverage to working state residents through a new and similarly titled program, as well as establish the rural access to health care grant program.

Small Business Success Forum to be held in Kannapolis

KANNAPOLIS — Small business owners, prospective owners and entrepreneurs from across the region are invited to the Small Business Success Forum on May 7 at Kannapolis City Hall.

The forum, to be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m, is in recognition of National Small Business Week. It will offer those interested in small business ownership a day of learning, discussions and networking. Participants will choose workshops on topics such as managing workflow, social media trends, funding options, capturing the international market, hiring, storytelling, defining uniqueness and the power of storytelling.

“We want to provide an environment where small business owners and those wanting to start a business can exchange ideas, share challenges as well as solutions, and basically recharge,” said Barbara Hall, director of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Small Business Center. “We’ll have experts on hand who can answer those pressing questions about how to take their business ideas to the next level. We also want to just celebrate the time, effort and creativity small business owners and entrepreneurs invest in our communities.”

Luncheon speaker Bruce Maxwell will highlight issues about leadership and culture. Maxwell is a specialist in starting and financing ventures, having helped launch more than 100 companies and made more than 650 pitches to Venture Capital firms to raise over $78 million in equity.

Business assistance organizations to be represented will include the Small Business Center Network, Small Business & Technology Development Center, N.C. Department of Revenue, Centralina Workforce Development Board, IRS, Small Business Administration, BEFCOR, Carolina Small Business Development Fund and others.

The $15 registration includes a buffet lunch and all sessions. The registration link is at www.rccc.edu/sbc. The registration deadline is Tuesday.

Salisbury Therapeutic Massage to offer acupuncture 

Licensed acupuncturist Tracy Krohn is now offering acupuncture on Mondays at Salisbury Therapeutic Massage, 120 E. Council St., Suite 400.

Krohn began her practice three years ago in Winston-Salem after completing a four-year master’s program, clinic internship and three major board exams.

According to Krohn, acupuncture treats most everything well by balancing the body and allowing the body to correct itself. She offers treatments for pain, digestive and internal issues, dietary control and stress.

“Stress affects the entire body,” she said. “Acupuncture can relieve damages caused by stress and help the body react to stress in a healthier and better way.”

Krohn also offers treatments for energy levels, depression and anxiety, autoimmune issues, and fertility.

“Fertility is a big deal for acupuncture,” said Krohn. “It is the most successful alternative medicine for successful pregnancy and births. It prepares the body for the stress of pregnancy and balances hormonal and medical issues of fertility. I also am very successful with inducing labor in a natural and very responsive way.”

For appointments, call 336-803-8038 or email tracy@tracykrohn.com.

Three Rivers Blonde Ale introduced

Three Rivers Land Trust, Cabarrus Brewing Co. and Carolina Malt House have partnered to create Three Rivers Blonde Ale, a beer brewed with locally sourced grains. It is made in support of Land Trust’s mission to conserve rural landscapes, family farms and important river corridors.

The trust is working to raise about $16 million to conserve about 4,700 acres of publicly accessible land and 76 miles of undeveloped shoreline along the Yadkin River. The money will ensure the land is owned by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission and public access will remain for hiking, hunting, fishing and paddling.

Without conservation, these lands could be sold on the open market, which could affect the future water quality of the Yadkin River.

Every time a four-pack of Three Rivers Blonde Ale is sold, Cabarrus Brewing will donate $1 to Three Rivers Land Trust. The beer is available at the Cabarrus Brewing Tap Room, local bars and restaurants, and select Food Lion, Harris Teeter and Lowe’s Foods stores across the Piedmont region.

Big Lots celebrates new store with donation to The Meeting Place Mission 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots will celebrate the grand opening of its relocated Morganton store with a ribbon-cutting at 8:30 a.m. May 17.

The first 50 shoppers entering the store May 17 and May 18 will receive a reusable shopping bag filled with treats. In addition, the company will kick off a donation program benefiting The Meeting Place Mission, a charity that works to end the cycle of homelessness. Big Lots will donate $5 to the organization each time a Big Rewards loyalty member redeems a reward at the Morganton store from May 17 to June 29.

“We are excited to introduce our new store format to Morganton,” said Steve Haffer, senior vice president and chief customer officer of Big Lots. “It brings to life our new brand traits and showcases our product assortments of affordable solutions in furniture, seasonal, home, food and consumables. We are also very proud to serve alongside the Morganton community with our support of The Meeting Place Mission.”

The new store, at 1227 Burkemont Ave., will be a showcase for the continued roll-out of a new store layout and design across all Big Lots stores, both in new builds as well as in redesigns at existing locations.

Organizations recommend ‘take-action tips’ for cybersecurity

CHARLOTTE — The Better Business Bureau and National Cyber Security Alliance have teamed up to provide simple, proactive steps to safeguard against cyberattacks like identity theft, loss of money or credit card fraud.

“Today everyone is nonstop busy – juggling schedules, activities and deadlines. Our ‘always on’ lives require that we take simple, actionable steps to stay safer online,” said Kelvin Coleman, the alliance’s executive director. “Take the time to put into practice a few precautionary measures and you will have greater peace of mind – not only this spring but all year round.”

“Safeguarding your personal information is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of identity theft,” said Tom Bartholomy, bureau president. “It’s important to safely store needed paper records and to shred what you no longer need. The same is true for your digital information.”

The bureau recommended the following three “take-action tips” when using the internet:

• Lock down your login: Ensure that pass phrases are lengthy, unique and safely stored. In addition, fortify accounts by adopting strong authentication, which adds another layer of protection.

• Update your system and software: Having the latest updates, security software, web browser, and operating system is one of the easiest ways to keep devices secure and protect data.

• Back it up: Protect your personal and workplace data by making electronic copies — or backups — of your most important files. Set a schedule to do so regularly throughout the year.