February 28, 2008 05:13 pm
—
Someone please clue me in.
I’ve caught a bit of grief for my comments last week expressing confidence in the future of Ashland’s downtown business district.
I base my optimism in the fact that the downtown area has a lot of things which could be working in its favor. After witnessing the virtual death, or revitalization of, many of my favorite downtown districts, I’ve learned to spot a few of the trends and traits that tend to lead to success or failure.
If I’m reading this right, everyone else seems to know something I don’t. I’m not on anyone’s payroll except this newspaper’s and, as a buddy of mine likes to say, “I don’t owe nobody nothing down there.”
If you can clue me in, on the record or off, send me an e-mail to the address at the end of this column.
Mom and daughter
business
Angie Whitley, a licensed social worker from Rush, is working along with her daughter, Rachel Whitley, to offer a wide variety of personalized business training and consulting services, including marketing, communications, public and market research and much more at Whitley Training & Consulting.
The business utilizes the experience of a network of trainers and consultation experts, enabling the company to provide appropriate training programs for “an army of one or a conference of hundreds,” including promotional and social marketing campaigns, information technology, community assessments and a long list of additional categories. Grant funding and grant writing are among the many notable areas on their list of services.
Rachel Whitley is the in-house computer and technology person, and she designed their Web site — www.whitleytrainingandconsulting.com, a great place to learn more about what they to have to offer. They can be contacted at at (606) 928-3022 or (606) 831-1351.
Before opening in February, Whitley consulted with Kim Jenkins at the Ashland Small Business Development Center, which has been serving the community for 25 years, regarding basic business start-up issues, help develop her business plan and assist with market research. If your company or the business you dream of opening could benefit from similar assistance, call (606) 928-8011.
New day care soon
West Virginia business owner Liz Lemaster will soon be opening shop in Kentucky at Liz’s Little Ones, located at 1025 Ky. 716 in Ashland, near Crisp’s Dairy Treat.
Lemaster, who already has a day care center in Kenova, said she had many parents seeking similar services in the Ashland area and felt blessed to find her new location, which has been completely remodeled to provide “a safe and happy place” for those she watches over.
The new space will accommodate up to 100 children and she still has spaces remaining. She also accepts state subsidy for qualified families. The business will officially open sometime next week after all of the proper permits and requirements have been confirmed.
Liz’s Little Ones will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information or to register call (304) 412-2750.
Worth the cost
I heard a great personal endorsement for the Leadership Tri-State training program from someone I was interviewing last week for our upcoming Progress edition, and just happened to receive a news release from the nonprofit community educational program the next day.
The person I spoke with said the eight monthly sessions (April through November) provided a wealth of knowledge about local business and industry as well as allowing them to establish a network of professionals who have remained a tremendous resource.
The tuition fee for the program is $695, and sounds as if it is money well spent for anyone representing a local firm. For more information call Sharon Walker at (606) 324-1787. Applications must be received by March 10.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.