Brunswick Community College’s (BCC) Small Business Center welcomed North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall on Monday, April 28, for a day of engagement and dialogue. The visit, part of the Secretary’s ongoing Rural RISE NC initiative, included a downtown “Main Street” Walk and a Small Business Roundtable at BCC’s main campus.
The day began in Southport with walking tours of three unique, locally owned businesses: Throw Baxe Axe House & Board Game Lounge, Cattail Cottage, and Hive Sweet Home. Secretary Marshall, accompanied by Deputy Secretary Tim Crowley and Rural RISE NC Project Coordinator Tammy Everett, was joined by Southport Mayor Rich Alt and Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce President Brooke Rudd.
Following lunch at Dry Street Pub & Pizza, the group traveled to participate in a Business Roundtable. Fifteen local entrepreneurs shared stories about launching and growing their ventures and discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by small businesses in Brunswick County.
“Small businesses aren’t just the backbone of local economies, they’re the backbone of communities,” said Secretary Marshall. “So, it’s important to me to go out and meet some of these small business owners where they are to hear their concerns and see first-hand how much they mean to their communities. Many thanks to Brunswick Community College for hosting this business roundtable where we were able to connect these entrepreneurs to local, state, and federal resources through our Rural RISE NC initiative. You just can’t overstate the importance of community colleges in helping grow local economies. They truly are unsung heroes.”
Businesses represented at the roundtable included JBG Services, Dunes Mercantile Gifts & Guitars, Cultured Innovations, LRG Kitchen and Bath Designs, KJ Vintage Finds, Big Wen’s Lawn Care LLC, Fortitude Roofing, HDA Insulation, Blue Satin Bee Weddings & Events, Throw Baxe Axe Throwing & Boardgame Lounge, Swell-Home, Gimmzi Smart Rewards, Brunswick Organizing Solutions, Saltwater Signworks and Signature Wealth Strategies
“Brunswick Community College’s board of trustees, administration, faculty, staff, and students are honored to welcome Secretary of State Elaine Marshall to our campus,” said President Gene Smith. “Her visit, along with the roundtable discussion with local business owners, underscores the importance of supporting small businesses in our region and highlights the vital role small businesses play in our local economy. We’re proud to serve as a hub for these vital conversations that help strengthen Brunswick County and empower entrepreneurs.”
About Brunswick Community CollegeBrunswick Community College (BCC) is a public community college in Bolivia, North Carolina. BCC offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Engineering for students who aim to transfer to a senior institution to complete a baccalaureate or higher degree. BCC also offers a wide range of High School Pathways (Career & College Promise), Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees to prepare students for entry-level jobs in paraprofessional and healthcare fields. Through the Division of Continuing Education, Economic & Workforce Development, BCC offers over 250 customized courses, programs, and services to enhance employees’ careers, improve business effectiveness, and support new and existing workforce. For more information about Brunswick Community College and is programs, visit brunswickcc.edu.
