Chamber members can submit news, articles, or other information to be shared in our monthly newsletter. Submissions may include one pdf (preferred)/graphic with or without accompanying information. We accept one newsletter submission per month per member.

Simply submit via email at any time to: newsletter@currituckchamber.org

We love to feature our members!

The Art of Negotiating presented by Clark Twiddy

We are all negotiators in some way and yet few things in our professional lives give us more stress, fear, or emotion as a business negotiation. 

Join local businessman Clark Twiddy as he shares what's worked--and not worked--for him over a career in tough negotiations. Clark will share a collection of knowledge, skills, disciplines, and resources to make you better at being you and better at making progress when working with others.

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 9:00 AM - 10:00

More information and registration here.

Member Training Webinar: Empowering Your Business with Essential Tools

Calling all members, both new and existing! We invite you to our upcoming Chamber Refresher Zoom Meeting, where we'll provide a broad overview of the benefits, resources, and opportunities available to you as part of our vibrant chamber community.

Date: Tuesday March 19th, 2023

Time: 10:00 am

Location: Zoom Meeting

Whether you recently joined or have been a member for some time, this refresher session is designed to help you make the most of your chamber membership.

Join us to:

• 🔍 Explore the Chamber's extensive range of benefits and resources, including job postings and member promotions.
• 🌐 Learn more about our networking opportunities and community engagement initiatives
• 💼 Learn about educational workshops and professional development programs
• 📣 Get updates on upcoming events and marketing opportunities
• ❓ Have the chance to ask any questions or seek clarification

Our chamber community is growing, and we also want to extend a warm welcome to our newest members. This is an excellent opportunity for new members to familiarize themselves with the chamber and connect with other professionals in the community.

We look forward to reconnecting with our existing members and welcoming our new members at this valuable Chamber Refresher Zoom Meeting!

Last month we presented a webinar on the Corporate Transparency Act, “What Every Small Business Needs to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act.”

We want to thank Tom Mock, District Director, and Mentor at the Asheville SCORE Chapter for putting this webinar together. We would also like to thank attorney Helen Ruth (HR) Harwell, mentor at SCORE Charlotte for presenting this webinar.

SCORE mentoring is a free service offered to any aspiring or established owners of a U.S.-based business. 

This webinar has been recorded along with the PowerPoint presentation. Passcode is needed to view this presentation.

Click here for Zoom link.

Passcode: C6^vP+=Z

Corporate Transparency Act

FinCEN Presentation

• Grants support human needs, environmental stewardship, education, and community vitality
• Starting in 2024, applications will be accepted online during two annual grant cycles
• Deadline to apply for spring grant cycle is April 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. EST

Nonprofit and educational organizations within Dominion Energy's service areas are encouraged to apply for grants from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

Starting this year, the foundation has adopted a new application process and will now accept grant requests twice per year – once in the spring and once in the fall. The spring grant application period is currently open and closes at 5 p.m. EST on April 2. Decisions will be announced in June.

Grants will be awarded to support programs and specific projects that focus on human needs, environmental stewardship, education, and community vitality.

Dominion Energy and its charitable foundation gave more than $46 million to support charitable causes in 2023.

"Nonprofit organizations work hard every day to address a variety of community needs and opportunities. These grants will help them make an even greater impact for good," said Hunter A. Applewhite, President of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. "Supporting local organizations is a part of our commitment to support the communities Dominion Energy serves."

Funding is available to organizations within geographic areas where Dominion Energy provides electricity or natural gas service or has significant facilities or business interests. These include Virginia, South Carolina, northeastern North Carolina, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

For details, visit: https://www.dominionenergy.com/our-company/customers-and-community/charitable-foundation/applying-for-a-grant.

Get a jumpstart on your 2024 advertising with the North Beach Sun magazine!

The North Beach Sun magazine mails to every residential mailbox and PO box on the beach and in lower Currituck, and it can be found in more than 400 distribution spots from Corolla to Hatteras Island. Advertising in the Sun gets your business in front of thousands of potential customers, both locals and visitors alike.

Want to make a big impression AND save money? Ask about our contract rates and learn how your business can appear in a whole year of the Sun. Call 252-449-4444 today or email us at sales@northbeachsun.com.

United Way of North Carolina Announces Appointment of New Board Member and Board Officers

United Way of North Carolina (UWNC) is thrilled to announce that Brian White has taken on the role of Board Chair, effective February 23, 2024. Immediate Past Chair Jeff Johnson completed his two-year appointment and will remain on the Board in this role. UWNC is also excited to share the appointment of one new board member, Geoffrey M. Roche.

Brian White, Director of Strategic Operations, ECU Health

Mr. White has been a member of United Way’s Board of Directors since 2020 and most recently served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. He is the Director of Strategic Operations for ECU Health at three community hospitals in northeastern North Carolina, including ECU Health Bertie Hospital in Windsor, ECU Health Chowan Hospital in Edenton, and ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie. He received his Master’s in Business Administration from Strayer University and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Elizabeth City State University, concentrating in management. Before his career in healthcare, he worked for NASCAR public relations.

Mr. White serves as the chair of the College of the Albemarle Foundation and Chowan County Board of Adjustments and past president of the Edenton Lions Club. He serves as a board member of the Edenton-Chowan Chamber of Commerce. He is also a member of the George and Alex Memorial Foundation, Edenton-Chowan Partnership Board, Edenton-Chowan Schools Education Foundation, and the North Carolina State Employees Credit Union Advisory Board in Edenton. Additionally, he is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Previously, Mr. White served as the chair for the Albemarle Area United Way, founder and past president of Cycle Speedway, and past Treasurer for the Edenton-Chowan Young Professionals.

On weekends he is often at motorsports complexes providing commentary for NASCAR Regional Series and other NASCAR races.

UWNC President and CEO Brittany Pruitt Fletcher expressed her enthusiasm about UWNC’s new Board Chair, stating, “I feel fortunate to have Brian White stepping into the Board Chair role. He has been an incredible asset to our United Way and a community leader in eastern North Carolina. I am privileged to get to work with him in this expanded role to further our mission to bridge people, local United Ways, and resources so individuals, families, and communities thrive in North Carolina.”

Pruitt Fletcher stated, “I am also delighted to welcome Geoffrey M. Roche to the UWNC board. He is deeply involved and committed to health equity and certainly subscribes to the group of true believers who understand the unique role that United Way can play in driving change in communities. He is a leader in speaking about social determinants of health, and he also understands how 211 should be partnered more closely with healthcare in community-centered models that improve health outcomes.”

Geoffrey M. Roche, North America Director of Workforce Development, Siemens Healthineers

Mr. Roche is the son of a nurse, as well as a healthcare expert, diversity advocate, and education enthusiast, presently serving as the inaugural North America Director of Workforce Development at Siemens Healthineers, Executive Advisor, LEAD3R, and National Healthcare Practice Executive Advisor at Core Education PBC. In 2022, Mr. Roche was nominated to the Forbes Business Council for his national-level work. He has over nine years of experience in hospital administration and has held leadership positions at various universities in the United States. He has served on various boards and committees, including the United Way of Lebanon County, the United Way of Pennsylvania, and the Patient Safety Committee for WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. Mr. Roche also serves as a Senior Advisor with Econsult Solutions, a Partner with Product10x, DNPs of Color Advisory Committee, and Leavitt School of Health Advisory Council at Western Governor’s University, and a strategic advisor to numerous startups.

The UWNC Board of Directors also approved the appointment of the following officer positions:

Vice Chair - Sherry Bradsher, Cansler Collaborative Resources

Treasurer – Gareth Montague-Smith, CPA

Secretary – Roy Watson, Jr., Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina

For more information about the UWNC Board of Directors, visit https://www.unitedwaync.org/uwnc-board-directors.

Corolla Wild Horse Fund Membership Drive & Open House

The month of March is our annual Membership Drive. Every single dollar makes an incredible difference! There are lots of ways to get involved at any level, and you can be sure that your donation goes directly towards the care and management of the horses.

Link to Membership Page: https://www.corollawildhorses.com/support-corolla-wild-horse-fund/?fbclid=IwAR0cnBLvnJ2OK768WDAI-fY8A-rB9d-Bo_Ai-CWrwyyA1Ivm_hMJXDjRUXc

We are also very excited to host our first Open House of the year at the Corolla Wild Horse Fund Farm on the mainland on Saturday, April 20^th, from 10 am to 2 pm.

Join us on Saturday, April 20th, for our Spring Open House at the Farm! Visit the farm on the mainland in Grandy and meet the rescued Banker horses currently in our care on the walking tour, where you can spend time with our staff. Attend a free movie screening of The Secret of Corolla, a 32-minute documentary on the Banker Mustangs, the culture, and lifestyle of the island. There will be a Q&A directly after the screening with the CWHF Director of Herd Management.

Suggested donation of $10 per vehicle at the gate.



CWHF shirts, hats, and other gifts will be available for purchase. You can also sponsor any horse that you meet at the farm! Sponsorship includes a photo and certificate, as well as quarterly updates on your sponsored horse. There will be local vendors and artisans on-site, too.

Exciting News! Ryan Homes is growing…

We are delighted to announce that Ryan Homes is opening our first community in Camden County.

Camden Station offers affordable single-family homes with open-concept floorplans on private 1/3+ acre homesites, convenient to Currituck and Chesapeake. From the mid $300s.

It has been an honor to help our neighbors in the Currituck area find and build their dream homes. Home is where the heart is. Since 1948, our passion and purpose has been in building beautiful places people love to call home.

For the next few weeks, our team has opened the Camden Station Interest List. This exclusive list will receive the best community pricing, choice of homesites, and exclusive tours of the community.

As a member of the Currituck County Chamber of Commerce, you can share this opportunity with anyone in your network before the Interest List closes.

Here is the link to share: www.ryanhomes.com/camdenstation

We look forward to seeing you at Camden Station and continuing to provide Currituck County with quality new homes. Thank you for your continued support!

Trustworthy Restoration

As Spring is coming around yet again it reminds us all that there are new chores to attend to. Albeit gardening in the flower beds or home maintenance this marks the time to begin. Closed up areas for the winter may have developed issues from microbial growth to unwanted odors. We here at Trustworthy Restoration are on the ready to assist with remediation and/or odor removal. We can inspect your property from crawl space to attic to find the source of unwanted odors and find out if the source could be microbial.

As the HVAC systems switch from heat to AC one may find debris coming from the register grills. We can assist here also. We can inspect the system and with state of the art inspection cameras we can "see" the problem if so required. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns, We are here to help. We are not just your go-to water remediation team, we are even more.

Contact Terry Booth @ 252-343-4135 to have your concerns evaluated. Email terrybooth.tw@gmail.com Hoping all is well this Spring beginning for you and yours!!

Outdoor Bonsai for Beginners

Bonsai is the ancient art form of growing and training a potted plant into a miniature tree. It is often seen as difficult and steeped in tradition, however, it can be highly rewarding.

Join us on Tuesday, April 30th from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Currituck County Center, located at 120 Community Way in Barco, NC. where you will learn how to properly care for, prune, transplant, shape, and style bonsai trees. The fee is $40.00 and includes instruction, a container, a pruning tool, and a juniper bonsai, which you will create during the class. You will not only go home with a bonsai that you have created on your own but more importantly, with enough “hands-on” experience and information to serve as a solid foundation for learning more. 

Register for this event via Eventbrite. We accept cash and check payments in addition to paying via credit card through Eventbrite. Please, make checks payable to NCSU. Checks and cash payments can be received at the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Currituck County Center located at 120 Community Way Barco, NC 27917, within 5 days of registration. Class size is limited and full registration, including payment, is required to hold your spot. If you have any problems registering please feel free to call us at 252-232-2261, and we will walk you through the process.

For more information or accommodations for persons with disabilities please contact Chris Blaha at 252-232-2261, or email ctblaha@ncsu.edu no later than ten business days before the event.

UNVEILING THE FUTURE:

Your Workplace, Reimagined!

We have recently launched our new website and taken our brand to new heights!

Our mission is clear: to revitalize workspaces, fostering efficiency and productivity like never before.

In today's ever-evolving business landscape, we understand the challenges you face, which is why we are here to support you every step of the way. With our expertise in furniture, dedication to innovative design, and unwavering commitment to exceptional service, we are equipped to tackle any challenge head-on.

We understand that the way people work is constantly evolving, which is why we have tailored solutions to meet the demands of the modern workplace. Whether it's supporting hybrid or remote employees, optimizing office space while downsizing, or creating inviting environments to bring people back to the office, we have the solutions you need.

Your feedback is invaluable to us as we strive to continuously improve and tailor our offerings to best serve your needs. Please take a moment to explore our new website www.workplacevb.com and let us know what you think.

Thank you for entrusting us with your workspace needs. We look forward to hearing from you and continuing to support your success.

View our new site here.

With excitement for the future,

Maryann Woods

CID, NCIDQ, IIDA

FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO

Event Grant Opportunity

Event grant and event marketing assistance guidelines and applications for all events between the dates of July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, are now available online at https://www.visitcurrituck.com/business-resources/, by contacting Tameron Kugler, Currituck Travel & Tourism Director, at tameron.kugler@currituckcountync.com or by calling 252-435-2947. Applications for the event grant will be accepted between March 1 and April 15, 2024. Please read the guidelines carefully before submitting your event grant or event marketing assistance applications.

Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Jazz Festival

with A. B. Spellman, Keynote Speaker

On Thursday evening, April 11, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., the Museum of the Albemarle and Elizabeth City State University, will host the Max Roach Centennial Celebration Jazz Festival opening night reception with special guest Elizabeth City native, A. B. Spellman. Spellman has written essays and poetry for Rhythm magazine and taught at Morehouse College, Emory University, Rutgers, and Harvard University.  

In 1975, Mr. Spellman became director of Arts in Education Study Projects for the National Endowment for the Arts. Spellman retired from the NEA in 2005. In 2024, Mr. Spellman won a Grammy Award in the category Best Classical Compendium for the project Passion for Bach and Coltrane.  

Guests will be able to meet Mr. Spellman in the lobby starting at 6 p.m. At 6:45 p.m., A Conversation with A.B. Spellman hosted by Veronica Downing of ECSU/ WRVS Jazzy 89.9 Radio Show Honey Vibes Weekend Radio Show and the JazzHead Podcast will be held in the auditorium and will be followed by light refreshments. 

The Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Jazz Festival 2024 is sponsored by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

What taxpayers should do if they received a Form 1099-K in 2024

The Internal Revenue Service today offered a checklist to help taxpayers as they prepare to file their 2023 tax returns during filing season.

These six easy tips will help make tax preparation smoother in 2024. Much of this information is also available on a special IRS.gov free help page:

If a taxpayer sold goods or services in 2023 and received payments through certain payment apps or online marketplaces or accepted payment cards, they could have received a third party reporting document Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions.

Following feedback from taxpayers, tax professionals and payment processors, and to reduce taxpayer confusion, the IRS announced Notice 2023-74, which delayed the new federal law $600 reporting threshold for tax year 2023 on Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions. The previous reporting thresholds remained in place for 2023, which are more than $20,000 in payments and over 200 transactions. Taxpayers could have still received forms below the threshold.

It’s important to know that regardless of if a taxpayer received a Form 1099-K or not, they must report their income. This includes payments they receive in cash, property, goods, digital assets or foreign sources or assets.

The Form 1099-K should not report personal payments like gifts and reimbursements.

What to do when filing taxes

It’s important to understand why an individual received a Form 1099-K. Taxpayers can then use it with their other tax records when it’s time to file their return. The form provides the gross amount of payment card/third party network transactions and may include a combination of different kinds of total payments received.

It's important to note, just because a payment is reported on a Form 1099-K does not mean it’s taxable.

Taxpayers should review the form or forms, determine if the amount is correct, and determine any deductible expenses associated with the payment they may be able to claim when they file their taxes.

Selling personal items at a loss

If an individual sold items at a loss, which means they paid more for the items than for what they sold them, there is not a tax liability. They’ll be able to zero out the payment on their tax return by reporting both the payment and an offsetting adjustment on a Form 1040, Schedule 1. This will ensure if they received these forms, they don't have to pay taxes they don't owe.

Selling personal items at a gain

If an individual sold items at a gain, which means they paid less than for what they sold it, they will have to report that gain as income, and it's taxable.

See IRS.gov What to do with Form 1099-K for specific instruction on how to report personal item sales.

What to do with a Form 1099-K received in error

People may get a Form 1099-K when they shouldn't have if it:

•                  Reports personal payments from family or friends like gifts or reimbursements.

•                  Doesn't belong to them.

•                  Duplicates a Form 1099-K or other information reporting form they already received.

If this happens:

•                  Contact the issuer immediately – see "Filer" on the top left corner of Form 1099-K to find out the name and contact information of the issuer.

•                  Ask for a corrected Form 1099-K that shows a zero amount.

•                  Keep a copy of the original form and all correspondence with the issuer for your records.

•                 Don't wait to file taxes. File even if a corrected Form 1099-K is unavailable.

What to do with an incorrect Form 1099-K

If the payee Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or gross payment amount is incorrect taxpayers should request a corrected form from the issuer.

•                  See "Filer" on the top left corner of Form 1099-K to find the name and contact information of the issuer. If a taxpayer doesn't recognize the issuer, they should contact the Payment Settlement Entity (PSE) identified on the bottom left corner of the form above their account number.

•                  Keep a copy of the corrected Form 1099-K with other tax records, along with any correspondence from the issuer or PSE.

•                  Don't contact the IRS. The IRS can't correct a Form 1099-K from an issuer.

Don't wait to file taxes. To file a tax return, take these steps:

•                  If the Payee Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is incorrect report payments from the Form 1099-K and any sources of income on the appropriate tax return you normally file.

•                 If the gross payment amount is incorrect report the amount from your incorrect Form 1099-K on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Additional Income and Adjustments to Income.

Michael Bonin 

Office Manager 

H&R Block - Moyock Office 

588 Caratoke Highway 

Moyock, NC 27958 

252-435-1040 Office 

252-435-6427 Fax 

252-339-6960 Cell

The following traditional zoning application was submitted and will be reviewed by the Technical Review Committee - TRC (March 13, 2024), Planning Board (tentative date: May 14, 2024), and Board of Commissioners (tentative date: June 3, 2024):

·        Howard Land Development, Inc.: The applicant and owner, Howard Land Development, Inc., submitted a zoning map amendment application to rezone 23.03 acres from Agriculture (AG), Single-Family Residential Mainland (SFM) and General Business (GB) to Single Family Residential Mainland (SFM). The property is located at 732 Poplar Branch Road, Grandy.

The following text amendment applications were submitted and will be reviewed by the TRC (March 13, 2024), Planning Board (tentative date: April 9, 2024), and Board of Commissioners (tentative date: May 6, 2024):

·        North South Development Group, LLC: The applicant, North South Development Group, LLC, submitted a text amendment application to amend the UDO Chapter 3, Zoning Districts: to establish a maximum gross density of 3 dwelling units per acre in the Mixed Residential (MXR) Zoning District in a Full-Service area where dwelling units include a mix of multi-family and single-family detached dwellings. The maximum gross density calculation will be based on the land area of the entire tract.

·        Donald B. Haller: The applicant, Donald B. Haller, submitted a text amendment application to amend the UDO Chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, and 10: To amend community compatibility standards to require non-residential buildings to limit building height to 24 feet within 100 feet of a lot line shared with an existing single family dwelling, to amend nonresidential design standards to require non-residential buildings to be set back 75 from a lot line shared with existing single family dwelling, to define “Corolla High Density Developments” and require a special use permit subject to additional standards including a traffic impact analysis and engineered stormwater plan, and to require a special use permit for hotels exceeding 50 rooms in a PUD, subject to additional standards including a traffic impact analysis and engineered stormwater plan.

·        Jay Bender: The applicant, Jay Bender, submitted a text amendment application to amend Chapter 3. Zoning Districts and Chapter 6. Subdivisions and Infrastructure Standards to create a new development type, Preservation Subdivision, in the Single-Family Residential Outer Banks Remote Zoning District.

·        Carolina Designs Realty, Inc.: The applicant, Carolina Designs Realty, Inc., submitted a text amendment application to amend the UDO Chapters 4, 5, and 10 to establish a new “Property Management Offices and Operations” use to be permitted in the General Business, Light Industrial, and Heavy Industrial Zoning Districts with a zoning permit subject to specific standards.

The following final plat applications were submitted and will be reviewed by the TRC (March 13, 2024):

·        Waterleigh, Phase 5B: The applicant and owner, Allied Properties, LLC, submitted the final plat application for Phase 5B of a conservation subdivision consisting of 26 residential lots.  Waterleigh is located off Tulls Creek Road, Moyock.

·        Baxter Station:  The applicant, North South Development, submitted a final plat application for 80 residential lots in Baxter Station traditional residential subdivision. The development is located on Baxter Lane and the property is owned by Baxter Station, LLC.   

QUASI-JUDICIAL DECISIONS

The following cases were submitted and will require the board to make a quasi-judicial decision. Board members are not allowed to discuss the case or gather evidence outside of the hearing. You may view the property in question before the hearing but may not talk about the case with the applicant, neighbors, or staff outside of the hearing. 

·        Ashbrook Estates: The applicant/owner, Ashbrook Estates, LLC, submitted a 52-lot, Type II conservation, residential subdivision. The property is in Maple on Maple Road.

·        New Bridge Creek: The applicant and owner, New Bridge Creek, LLC, submitted a preliminary plat/special use permit application for a 35-lot Type-II conservation subdivision. The proposed development is in Moyock off Caratoke Highway north of Beechwood Shores Drive.

·        Corolla Bay: The applicant and owner, SF Corolla Bay, LLC, submitted a preliminary plat/special use permit for a two-lot phase in Corolla Bay, Monteray Shores, PUD.   The property is located on Cruz Bay Court (proposed lots 61 and 61), Monteray Shores, Phase 3, Corolla.

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