Press Releases

Currituck, NC – A new website aimed at connecting shoppers with local stores has officially launched.

Buylocalcurrituck.com provides a database of businesses located in Currituck County. The site helps county citizens search for their favorite businesses, find new ones, and keep up with business news. In addition, visitors to the site will find specials, deals and events being offered by shops, stores and restaurants.

The Buy Local Currituck campaign is organized by the Currituck Chamber and Tourism and Economic Development departments with support from county government leaders. The campaign's goal is to create awareness of the importance of buying from local merchants and help citizens realize that the dollars they spend support the local economy.

Merchants - Check to make certain your business is listed on the website. Contact Judy Vassar, Visitor Relations Coordinator with the Tourism Department, at 435-2938, and she'll make sure your business is added. Marketing materials, including window stickers, posters, coasters, and napkins featuring the "Buy Local Currituck" logo, are available (limited supply) for local merchants at the Currituck County Chamber of Commerce. Contact the Chamber by calling 453-9497.

Shop local and win chances for prizes! - Thanks to local merchant donations, county residents can win prizes such as shopping sprees, free services, gift certificates, and more. Official rules can be found at buylocalcurrituck.com. Thus far, prizes valued at over $2,000 will be awarded. Businesses wishing to donate prizes may contact Judy Vassar.

Reasons to buy local:

• It keeps dollars in the community and has a multiplier effect.
• It increases tax revenue for Currituck County, which can help fund schools, emergency services, community recreation, law enforcement, and more.
• It keeps jobs in the county and residents living here.
• It makes our community unique and protects our heritage. Local shops offer one-of-a-kind items, restaurants offer a variety of menus and distinctive flavors, and local people promote the community by telling "our story" so well.
• It makes Currituck a destination and boosts the tourism industry. Tourists enjoy visiting the area because it is unique. Local shops, restaurants, and service providers are a big part of what makes Currituck special.

"Ideally, we'd like everyone to shop locally," said Diane Nordstrom, Travel and Tourism Director. "We simply want people to think about where they're shopping and to choose Currituck whenever possible. Our local business owners depend on it."

For additional information on the Buy Local Currituck campaign, call the Currituck Chamber (453-9497), Tourism Department (435-2947) or Economic Development Department (232-6015).

Hertford, NC – The Northeastern Workforce Development Board (NWDB) is pleased to announce the two latest recipients of North Carolina's Incumbent Workforce Development Program. VBL Technologies and Whitecap Linen have been awarded grants totaling just under $50,000.

The purpose of this grant program is to support trainings that will result in lay-off aversion through either skill attainment or process improvement. Businesses can bring the most experienced trainers, from anywhere across the country, here to Northeastern North Carolina to train their current employees in occupational skills, educational skills or strategies to improve efficiencies of business operations. Rex Raiford, Regional Manager of NCSU's Industrial Extension Service, has provided training for over 30 businesses who have received this grant. According to Mr. Raiford, “This program helps small to mid size companies in rural northeastern North Carolina access resources which larger corporations use to grow and prosper. Many organizations use this grant to initiate improvement projects and use some of the financial returns from these projects to continue funding long term growth and improvement strategies.”

VBL Technologies, a leading provider of IT Service Management Solutions located in Currituck County, worked with NWDB to obtain $25,000 in grant funding. The business will use this funding for two training courses: Configuring, Managing and Maintaining Windows Server 2008 and Network + Prep Course. VBL Technologies has chosen the company Global Knowledge to conduct these trainings. Global Knowledge’s instructors have over 15 plus years of industry experience and experience working with Fortune 500 companies worldwide.

Whitecap Linen, a commercial laundry/linen sales company located in Tyrrell County, has been awarded $24,010 in grant funding for process improvement. Whitecap Linen has chosen NCSU’s Industrial Extension Service to provide multiple trainings in Lean Manufacturing. As a result of these trainings, Whitecap Linen will be able to operate at a higher capacity which will allow them to take on additional business.

NWDB is responsible for the administration, oversight and monitoring of the Incumbent Workforce Development Program in Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Paquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington Counties. If you would like additional information on the program, please contact Dave Whitmer, NWDB Business Services Representative, at 252-426-5753 ext 231 or email at dwhitmer at albemarlecommission.org.

VBL Technologies, one of the largest IT companies in Eastern North Carolina takes great pride in announcing the launch of its new website, http://www.vbltech.com/ and its new Web Design & Internet Marketing department. The website is a hallmark of the effort put forth by the company in analysis, design and programming. We aim to utilize the same efforts for disseminating information about the company, its services and its offerings.

The website provides a unique visual experience to its users. Detailed information on everything related to IT and Web Services is available - from our comprehensive Managed Service offering and local Helpdesk to our Web Design and Internet Marketing services.

One of the many highlights of the website is the intuitive navigation system which allows its users to easily and efficiently obtain the desired information. The company’s unrelenting obsession for perfection, when it comes to delivering the right service or solution is reflected again on the website, with the integration of a new Live Chat function. This new function makes getting connected to the company even more convenient for visitors and future clients.

A leader in business innovation, VBL believes in consistently setting better benchmarks in Technology Consulting. With more than 150 clients served, the company is on a rapid path of growth undoubtedly attributed to its unique vision and approach towards every project and towards each client. The professionals working at VBL form a cohesive mix of technical expertise and unparalleled creativity, making VBL one of the best technology companies in Eastern North Carolina.

The new website marks another step of success for VBL in its drive for unmatched excellence. The launch of its website symbolizes the entry of VBL into the Web Services Arena. VBL is poised and ready to handle all Web related services for new and existing clients. Our Team of Professionals can provide World Class Web Design, Web Development, Web Programming and Online Marketing Services including Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Marketing.

As VBL raised the bar for Technology Consulting many years ago, it will also do the same for Web Development and Internet Marketing. Our primary goal at VBL is to provide our customers with the most EFFICIENT technical service in a TIMELY and ECONOMICAL way.

Before joining VBL, Fred worked as a Senior Network Engineer for Future Data Systems in Fayetteville, NC and as a Systems Engineer for Carolinas IT in Raleigh, NC. He has over 12 years of experience with Technology, Management and Customer Service. Fred was a member of US Marine Corps from 1998 to 2007 and stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC.

He also holds multiple Technology Certifications which include Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) for Enterprise Administration, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) Active Directory 2008, Network Infrastructure, Application Infrastructure, and Windows 7, Symantec STS: Backup Exec, and Comptia Network+.

In Fred’s position, he will be responsible for the day to day Operations, Business Development and Customer Relations. He will lead the entire team of Technology professionals at VBL and will ensure our clients continue to receive the best possible service available anywhere.

VBL Technologies is pleased to announce Brett McIntyre as the Web/Creative Director for its new Web Development and Marketing division.

Before joining VBL, Brett worked with various marketing and design companies as their Marketing Director, Creative Director, Graphic Designer and Web Designer. He has over 10 years experience in Graphic Design, Web Design and Marketing. In addition to his creative work, he has solid background in HTML, PHP, CSS, Coldfusion and Search Engine Marketing & Content management. He is also well versed with Mail, Email, and printed marketing campaigns.

Brett holds a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts (Multi Media & Visual Arts) with a minor in Technical Communications.

With the increasing demand for quality Web Development and Internet Marketing services, VBL is pleased to have Brett as a new addition to its Professional Web Development and Marketing team.

VBL Technologies is pleased to announce Jennifer Snyder-Levine as the new Dispatcher and Service Coordinator for the company.

Before joining VBL, Jennifer worked in diverse industries requiring unique customer service and communication skills. Her prior experience made her ideally suited for the important and central role at VBL. In her position at VBL, she will coordinate and ensure customer service is at the forefront of all client interaction.

Jennifer holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting.

With the controlled growth and expansion of its services, VBL is pleased to welcome Jennifer as a new member on the customer service team.

Waldt Renewables, a pioneer in the emerging arena of renewable energy was looking for a technology firm to partner with that could assist with research and development and offer the depth of services required for systems integration, application development and product launch. VBL is just that firm and shares a common goal with Waldt Renewables on creating a greener environment utilizing more sustainable energy.

Once again, VBL is chosen over other firms to bring its expertise at providing wireless Internet to the Timbuck II shopping center. Customers shopping in the Corolla shopping center can now enjoy wireless Internet (WIFI) while shopping at some of the best retailers in the area.

VBL is selected to upgrade the server infrastructure for Duck Woods Country Club. Through this upgrade, VBL provided significant increases in reliability, performance, and security to the Country Club and its members.

VBL selects Fonality as its partner to bring affordable phone systems to its clients. Fonality phone systems utilize the latest Voice over IP technology (VOIP) and allow for hybrid systems using a combination of traditional phone lines and the Internet to provide the ideal balance between cost and reliability.