Frye Regional Medical Center is the first hospital in North Carolina to be named a Distinguished Hospital by J.D. Power and Associates.

This distinction acknowledges a strong commitment by Frye to provide "An Outstanding Patient Experience".  The distinction was determined by surveying a random sample of recently discharged patients on their perceptions of their hospital stay and comparing the results to the national statistics established by the annual J.D. Power and Associates National Hospital Service Performance Study.

The telephone-based research conducted among patients focuses on the five key drivers of patient satisfaction with their overall hospital experience. The drivers, which were identified in the national study, include: dignity and respect; speed and efficiency; comfort; information and communication; and emotional support. Based on these standards, only twenty percent of the hospitals in the nation are expected to qualify for this reward.

In addition to this J.D. Power and Associated Award, Frye has also been name best in the Charlotte area for cardiac care. It is being recognized with a five star rating in overall cardiac care.

Many of the people moving to Hickory choose it because of Frye Hospital and because of the great medical practices in the area.

For more information about Hickory NC please visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

The Catawba County Community College will be purchasing the old Ryan's restaurant on US 70.  The site is within close proximity of the college campus.  The building will provide about 10,000 square feet of additional facilities for the college.  The college has an all-time high enrollment and needs the additional space. 

This acquisition by the CVCC Center for Emerging Manufacturing Solutions will help to create new and protect existing jobs in the Catawba Valley. It will attract more manufacturers to the area. The Catawba County Board of Commissioners approved the spending of approximately nine hundred fifty thousand dollars from the School Construction fund and CVCC will pay the balance of two hundred fifty thousand dollars to purchase the property for $1.2 million.

According to the Catawba Valley Community College:

"The Center for Emerging Manufacturing Solutions will focus on direct service delivery to manufacturers throughout the region in an effort to assist the changing furniture, textiles, metals, fiber optics, and technology sectors in creating successful business models for future productivity. The center will be the "core" for research and development in the region and provide fast track prototyping, testing, marketing and product development to all stakeholders in the changing economies of North Carolina."

The growth of the college will provide more opportunities for the students of the college as well as businesses in the Catawba Valley.

For more information about why the Catawba Valley and the Hickory Metro area is such a great place to live, learn, and work feel free to revisit my blog or check out my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

As a census taker, you will perform important and valued work. You will work individually as part of a small team in your own local community. Although your work hours will be flexible, you will be expected to complete your work assignments on time.

The local pay rate will start at $15.25 per hour.  Our area is offering the highest pay rate in the state.

You will be expected to visit all the residences in your assigned area to verify address lists. You will record information on a small, hand held computing device, which will transmit the data via wireless communications.

In most cases, you will need a vehicle and valid drivers license to work as a census taker.  If you work in a Local Census Office, you will perform standard office processing work, usually during normal weekday business hours, although some evening or weekend work may be assigned if needed.

2010 CENSUS - A GREAT WAY TO EARN EXTRA MONEY

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/index.php

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR RETIREES - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SPARE TIME YOU HAVE AVAILABLE

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/retirees.php

FULL TIME WORKERS - EARN EXTRA INCOME

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/full-timeworkers.php

JOB SEEKERS - ADD EXPERIENCE TO YOUR RESUME

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/job-seekersbetweenjobs.php

STUDENTS AND GRADS - MAKE MONEY, GAIN JOB EXPERIENCE, AND CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR COMMUNITY

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/studentsandgrads.php

COMMUNITY LEADERS - MEET AND INTERACT WITH PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

http://2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs/communityleaders.php

2010 CENSUS SCHEDULE

Fall 2008  - Recruitment begins for local census jobs for early census operations.

Spring 2009  - Census employees go door-to-door to update address list nationwide.

Fall 2009  - Recruitment begins for census takers needed for peak workload in 2010.

February - March 2010  - Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.

April 1, 2010  - Census Day

April - July 2010  - Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.

December 2010  - By law, Census Bureau delivers population counts to President for apportionment.

March 2011  - By law, Census Bureau completes delivery of redistricting data to states.

For more information about job opportunities with the 2010 Census contact the Charlotte office at:

Charlotte
8702 Red Oak Boulevard
Charlotte, NC 28217
Phone: 704-644-6220
Pay Rate: Starts at $15.25 / hour

For more information about the Catawba Valley please come back to my blog or visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

The Green Building incentives section of the Catawba County's building fee structures is a special allowance to provide an incentive for building in accordance with LEED, Energy Star, and NC Healthy Built Homes.

The incentive based fee structure is intended to increase renewable/sustainable energy technologies and green building certifications for homes and commercial buildings in Catawba County.

Various permit and plan review incentives are available for new and existing construction. To qualify, the builder or owner needs to obtain all permitting from Catawba County and a green building certification from a third party agency (LEED, Energy Star, etc.). For new construction, once a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, a percentage of the permit fees will be reimbursed to the permit holder.

For existing structures, upon completion of final inspection, permit fee rebates will be issued to the permit holder.

Catawba County will rebate all fees related to plan review or express review for commercial buildings seeking LEED certification.

Regular fees must be paid in full at time of plan review or permit issuance. Fee rebates will be refunded upon project completion and certification by a third party agency.

Here are just some of the examples of residential rebates:

Geothermal Heat Pump - Mechanical Permit Fee - 50% rebate - $27.50 value

Geothermal Heat Pump - Electrical Permit Fee - 50% rebate - $25.00 value

Solar Hot Water  - Electrical Permit Fee  - 50% rebate - $25.00 value

Solar Hot Water  - Plumbing Permit Fee  - 50% rebate - $12.50 value

Gray Water Collection for flushing fixtures - Plumbing Permit Fee - 50% rebate - $30.50 value

For more information about these permit incentives you can contact the Catawba County Utilities & Engineering, Catawba County Government Center, 100 A South West Blvd., Newton, NC 28658, Phone: 828-465-8399.

For more information on Green building programs:

http://www.usgbc.org/

http://www.energystar.gov/

http://www.healthybuilthomes.org/

http://www.nahb.org/

For more information about Catawba County or Hickory please feel free to visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

I am the first certified EcoBroker® in the Catawba County Area. This is a value added service I offer to my clients.  Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners gave its approval for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments to apply for federal grant to finance the purchase and renovation of about 35 houses that have been seized in recent foreclosures.  These homes will be renovated and made available for first time home buyers.

Catawba County is applying for a portion of the fifty-two million dollars that North Carolina is set to receive.  Grants will be provided based on need.  Need is determined by the percentage of foreclosures, sub-prime mortgages, and the number of homes that are delinquent on payments.  The money comes from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, giving funds to state and local governments showing the greatest need.

GOOD NEWS:  This will decrease the number of homes from the inventory of homes for sale in the Catawba Valley.

GOOD NEWS:  It will provide reasonably priced homes for first time home buyers to purchase.

GOOD NEWS:  The homes will be renovated to make them more energy efficient.

GOOD NEWS:  Part of the first time home buyers payments will revert to the program's funds to keep the program running. This may allow more homes to be purchased, renovated and resold.

GOOD NEWS:  It is estimated that approximately $5 million will be put into the local economy through the workers hired to do the renovations.

The deadline for grant application is February 2, 2009, and the recipients will be notified by February 15, 2009.

For more information about real estate in Hickory NC please feel free to call or text me at 828-234-0479 or visit my website at  www.MikeKellyJr.com

The Catawba County Government has made a concerted effort to promote education and responsible behavior regarding conservation of energy, recycling, waste management, energy efficient building, and beautification.

The following is a list of just some of the steps a few of the county departments have taken.

Catawba County Government

Ranked in the top five counties within North Carolina for recycled materials for the last six years

Created a buy recycled policy for all departments, employees, and buyers

Tracks the annual purchases of recycled content goods and products

Asks all staff to turn off their electronic equipment when they leave work

Operates 12 hybrid vehicles

Catawba County Schools

Will be constructing Snow Creek Elementary with new energy efficient materials. These materials will allow Snow Creek to operate 40 to 45 percent cheaper than the last elementary school that was constructed, which was built in 2006.

Library System

Capturing rainwater in rain barrels for landscape irrigation

Ink cartridge and cell phone recycling drop off

Computers and copiers are shut down at the end of each day.

Recycle newspapers, magazines, many types of paper, cardboard, cans, plastic bottles.

Whenever possible, print on both sides of the paper

Many staff use ceramic coffee mugs, real silverware, plates and bowls to cut down on the amount of Styrofoam cups and paper goods that we use.

As incandescent light bulbs burn out, the division replaces them with the newer fluorescent energy saving light bulbs

Staff members are asked to turn off lights in the public service workroom, storage room, and auditorium when those spaces are not being used.

Some staff members who live far from the library work flexible schedules to limit the number of times that they have to drive to Newton for work.

Staff members at Main Library have presented story programs for preschoolers on:

Recycling and helping keep the earth clean

Daycares and pre-schools can check out a story-time book crate called "Our Earth" to teach children how to care for the earth.

If you are interested in more information about energy efficiency and environmental information about the local area please feel free to contact me at my website www.MikeKellyJr.com.

I am the first certified EcoBroker® in the Catawba County Area. This is a value added service I offer to my clients.  Contact me today to show your properties that are Built Green, have green energy saving aspects or could be remodeled green with your personal touch. If you own a green home and are ready to sell, list your home with me and I will market and sell your place to a green-minded buyer.

EcoBrokers® are equipped with additional energy and environmental information and tools that help them provide added value to all of their real estate transactions. EcoBroker® training helps real estate agents address the newest topics in real estate, such as "green" home certification programs like Energy Star® Qualified Homes, energy-efficiency, and environmentally-sensitive design. The EcoBroker® designation assists real estate agents in working through issues that may arise in any real estate transaction, such as mold, radon, and poor indoor air quality, providing real solutions. EcoBrokers® grow their client base by attracting the green-minded consumer and providing valuable energy and environmental information to all types of clients. With expertise and Affiliate relationships, EcoBrokers® are known for providing exceptional value to all of their relationships.

One of the most common complaints about Hickory is that the streets are confusing and it is tough to find your way around town.  The good news is that we are one step closer to making it easier.

The Hickory City Council voted 4-3 to approve a contract with Frasier Associates to develop an updated logo for the city and develop a wayfinding plan that will incorporate the new logo on strategically located signs that will guide travelers to and from Hickory's various businesses and points of interest.

Frasier Associates is a Virginia-based architecture and planning firm that has worked with a number of North Carolina cities, including Morganton, to develop wayfinding plans. Their contract with Hickory will cost the city nearly $74,000 and the money will come from the city's parking fund.  The expected time of completion is six to eight months.

It is wonderful that the city of Hickory is willing to invest in the infrastructure to improve our area.  This in turn will attract more people and businesses to the area who will want to call Hickory  "HOME". 

For more information about Hickory please visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com 

Due to the drought that has gripped the south east for more than a year - the city of Hickory has restricted water usage for its businesses and residents.  Hickory High School has a found a way around the city water restrictions. They are participating in the Community Conservation Assistance Program through the NC Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.

The school will install a cistern to hold rain water that drains off the roof of the athletic building. The cistern will hold the rainwater until the school needs it to water plants, garden, and irrigate the athletic fields around the building.

The state will pay for seventy-five percent of the cost through the Community Conservation Assistance Program. This will cover the cistern, pipes and other materials.  The school will just have to dig the hole.

The tank will hold seventeen hundred gallons and will be installed underground.  The hope is that it will catch up to fifty-five thousand gallons of rain water per year. Besides being used to irrigate the vegetation around the school this cistern will also slow the water going into storm drains which will improve overall water quality.

It is great to hear about local groups increasing the awareness of the importance of water conservation.

For more information about Hickory NC please visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

Hickory is a great place to live and work.

The Jackson Group recently worked with the city of Hickory to ask the residents their opinions about the city.  The group conducted a phone survey from a random sample of citizens. The results were overwhelmingly high on the services provided by the city.

 Some of the major strengths of the city are:

•·      Citizen pride

•·      Overall appearance of Hickory

•·      Receiving communication in a timely manner

•·      Responsiveness to emergencies and accidents

•·      Satisfaction with recreation centers and parks, library services, and city public works services

The overall feeling from the survey is that the levels of services provided by the city are adequate for the property taxes that residents pay. This survey help confirm that Hickory is truly a great place to live and work.

For more information about Hickory NC or Hickory NC Real Estate visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

The OPERATION NO VACANCY INITIATIVE has been announced in Hickory. This initiative aims to attract reinvestment in distressed commercial and industrial buildings. The city took an inventory of over 190 vacant buildings in Hickory and used that information to create a Commercial Revitalization Area.

The OPERATION NO VACANCY INITIATIVE has combined existing grant programs such as the Downtown Appearance Grant and created new incentive programs that are targeted to the area of greatest need.  This grant offers 50 percent matching funds of up to $25,000 to people who redevelop a vacant building. This initiative also includes investment in the infrastructure to put in sidewalks and build bus shelters for this corridor of redevelopment.

For more information on OPERATION NO VACANCY or the Vacant Building Inventory check out the newly redesigned Hickory Government Website at http://www.hickorygov.com/.

For more information about Hickory NC please feel free to visit my website at http://www.mikekellyjr.com/.

The Hickory government website has been given an update in make it easier to navigate and more user-friendly. 

According to an article in the Hickory Daily record, Hickory citizens continue to increase their use of the website.  In 2008 the website had more than 425,000 visits.  Many visitors look for local information, news updates or pay utility bills.

There's still information on Hickory's website about its departments and events. There is also an enhanced news center section that includes city publications and news releases.

In the next few months, www.hickorygov.com will get additional features that will allow residents to reserve recreation facilities, pay for park shelter rentals and apply for city jobs online.

As technology is changing our world it is great to see our government recourses keeping up with the times.

 To view the new Hickory North Carolina Website - click on the thumbnail of it below.

If you would like more information about Hickory or Hickory Real Estate please visit my website at http://www.mikekellyjr.com/home.html

Great news for Hickory North Carolina and Hickory NC Real Estate

Covation LLC based in Atlanta is a customer support center for business telecommunications services announced that its Hickory operation will open in April. The company plans to hire 544 people by the end of 2009, and to employ 913 within three years.

The Covation customer service support center will occupy a 60,000-square-foot building off Tate Boulevard and the McDonald Parkway adjacent to the new Graystone Eye campus in McDonald Crossing Professional Park.

This is the fifth major economic development announcement made in Hickory in 2008. Other companies planning projects that will create jobs are Williams-Sonoma, FedEx, Convergys and Merchants Distributors Inc. Together, the five companies are expected to bring more than 2,300 new jobs to Hickory during the next five years. 

For more information about Hickory NC visit my website at www.MikeKellyJr.com

For more information about Covation you can check out their website ar www.Covation.com