Strongwell-Chatfield Named a “Best Place to Work” for Second Year in a Row
BRISTOL, Va. — Strongwell (USA), the recognized leader in the manufacture of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) pultruded composites, announces that its Chatfield, Minnesota, facility has once again been named one of the Best Places to Work in Southeast Minnesota for 2026. The recognition is part of a competitive program coordinated by Workforce Development, Inc. (WDI), which has honored top regional employers for more than 15 years. The award places Strongwell among the region’s leading employers, based on a
When Customers Pull Back, Your Website Should Step Up
Economic uncertainty doesn't make people stop spending — it makes them spend more carefully, research more thoroughly, and choose businesses they already trust. For small business owners across the Bristol TN/VA region, that shift in buyer behavior creates a specific opportunity: a few targeted website improvements can move your digital presence from a passive placeholder into an active sales and trust-building tool. Small businesses are the backbone of American job creation, representing 99.9% of all
Building a Small Business That Can Actually Scale
Small business owners often talk about growth as a goal, but growth without preparation can create operational strain instead of success. Hiring too quickly, expanding products too soon, or scaling marketing before operations are ready can destabilize an otherwise healthy company. Sustainable growth requires deliberate planning across finances, systems, people, and decision-making. The businesses that grow well usually treat growth as a process to engineer—not a milestone to chase.Key Insights Growth
How to Turn Customer Wins into Visual Content That Builds Real Trust
The most effective way to transform a customer success story into a marketing tool is to make it visual, make it specific, and match the format to your business type. Written quotes have their place, but the format gap is substantial: viewers retain far more from video — about 95% of a message — compared to just 10% when they read the same content as text. For businesses across the Bristol TN/VA region, where healthcare providers, independent retailers, and outdoor tourism operators all compete in the
The Consistency Advantage: Simple Routines That Power Business Expansion
Starting and growing a business is one of the most exhilarating — and exhausting — ventures you can undertake. Between managing finances, building a customer base, and staying adaptable in an ever-changing market, the path to success can feel like a moving target. Yet across industries, successful entrepreneurs share certain patterns: disciplined structure, creative risk-taking, and a bias for continuous improvement.Key Lessons for Lasting Success Focus on solving one meaningful problem before
Electro-Mechanical, LLC Acquires Coordinated Designs & Controls
BRISTOL, Va. (July 22, 2025) — Electro-Mechanical, LLC, a leading manufacturer of electrical apparatus and power distribution components, announced today that it has acquired Coordinated Designs & Controls, a provider of custom-engineered medium voltage switchgear based in Houston, Texas. The acquisition strengthens and expands Electro-Mechanical’s capabilities in medium-voltage equipment for utility, industrial, and commercial applications. Founded in 1994, Coordinated Designs & Controls is recognized for
Emory & Henry University Selects Dr. A. Louise Fincher as its Twenty-Third President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lois WilliamsPhone: 276-944-6100Date: March 24, 2025Emory & Henry University Selects Career Educator and Healthcare Visionary, Dr. A. Louise Fincher, as its Twenty-Third PresidentEmory, VA - Emory & Henry proudly announces the selection of Dr. Louise “Lou” Fincher as its twenty-third president—and the first president of Emory & Henry University, formerly Emory & Henry College. With over three decades of experience in higher education and healthcare, Dr. Fincher was
Thanking Health Care Heroes in the Tri-Cities: Regions Bank Teams Share the Good
Media Contact:Kim Borges Regions News Online: regions.doingmoretoday.comRegions Bank Regions News on Twitter:
BRISTOL CHAMBER AWARDED THIRD CONSECUTIVE 5-STAR ACCREDITATION FROM U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
BRISTOL, Tenn. (Wednesday, March 22) - The United States Chamber of Commerce has once again awarded the Bristol Chamber of Commerce its highest honor – a 5-Star Accreditation, for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.This is the third consecutive time the Bristol Chamber has been awarded a 5-Star Accreditation, dating back to 2005. Chambers must apply for reaccreditation every five years. The Bristol Chamber is the oldest accredited chamber in
