Kimmel HR Solutions began offering HR consulting services starting in 2017. The firm has since evolved into an employee benefits company in response to the growing need for better and less costly healthcare options. Today, the firm partners with forward-thinking businesses that want to reduce healthcare costs and improve employee healthcare through empowering health plan designs. The company is thrilled to announce their new name, Kimmel Benefits+, which represents a pivot towards their revised focus on providing alternative healthcare solutions PLUS expert HR guidance. The purpose of Kimmel Benefits+ is to help businesses create sustainable benefit programs that not only excite and retain quality employees but also help them achieve their business goals. The team will remain the same and continue to provide their clients with the personalized service Asheville has come to expect to navigate the complex healthcare landscape. To learn more about how they can partner with your business, visit kimmelbenfitsplus.com.
HCA Healthcare, Inc. announced that is has been recognized for the 13th time by Ethisphere, a global leader in defining and advancing standards of ethical business practices, as one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies. HCA Healthcare is one of only four honorees in the Healthcare Providers category this year. Mission Health, which operates seven hospitals and various medical facilities across Western North Carolina, is a part of HCA Healthcare. Read more.
Award:
North Carolina-based creative agency Made Outside was been recognized for its commitment to excellence in creative development and execution at the 2023 American Advertising Awards, also known as the ADDYs, hosted by the American Advertising Federation on February 28 in Charlotte, NC. The purpose-driven agency earned Best of Show, the district’s highest of honors, for its work with Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, in addition to two gold ADDYs (also for Poppy) and one silver ADDY for its work with 18 Chestnuts. Each year, the local American Advertising Awards are judged by three industry professionals from outside the region, and the ceremony aims to celebrate the most exceptional creative advertising campaigns carried out over the previous year. The ADDYs are the first stage of a three-tier national competition. Read more.
Funding:
Mountain Housing Opportunities (MHO) received a $1 million grant from Dogwood Health Trust to help build sixty-eight affordable homes in the Leicester community of Buncombe County. The new subdivision, called Pentland Hills, will feature two- to three-bedroom single-family homes and duplexes. The grant will help kick-start the multi-year development, helping MHO with short-term financing and needed infrastructure improvements for the site. The first homes are expected to be available in late 2024 to 2025. Once complete, the new community could be home to nearly 300 residents. Read more.
Happenings:
The Liston B. Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies at Mars Hill University has announced an upcoming concert featuring Dom Flemons on Saturday, April 29, 2023 at 7:30 pm at the Owen Theatre on the university’s campus. Dom Flemons, a two-time EMMY nominee and 2020 United States Artists Fellow, is a multi-talented musician, songwriter, producer, actor, music scholar, historian, and record collector. Flemons is known as The American Songster due to his repertoire of music covering over 100 years of early American popular music. Flemons is considered an expert player on various instruments including the banjo, guitar, harmonica, jug, percussion, quills, fife, and rhythm bones. Tickets are available for purchase now at www.mhu.edu/flemons-concert.
Mars Hill University Theatre Arts Department, under the direction of Chelsey Lee Gaddy, presents Neil Simon’s Sweet Charity beginning March 23rd at the historic Owen Theatre on the Mars Hill University campus. The production, music directed by Chuck Taft and choreographed by Amanda Hoyte, continues through March 26th. The cast features Emma-Leigh Brookshire, Blake Freeman, Ethan Weber, and Reggie Headen. If you love high energy performances and the dance style of Bob Fosse, then Sweet Charity is a musical comedy-drama that is perfect for you. It was first performed on Broadway in 1966. Sweet Charity’s book was written by Neil Simon and music by Cy Coleman, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Recommended for ages 13 and up due to adult content. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children, free for Mars Hill University students and staff with identification the day of the performance. To purchase tickets visit www.mhutheatre.ludus.com or contact the box office at (828) 689-1377 or at boxoffice@mhu.edu for more information.
Partnership:
Mosaic Realty is teaming up with Devil’s Foot Beverage Company to host a series of gatherings aimed at lifting up the work of various local nonprofit organizations around the Asheville area. “Doing Good Through Business” kicks off with three events on March 23rd, March 30th, and April 6th. (Additional events are slated for this spring and summer.) On each designated Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., 15% of all bar sales for the evening will be donated to a local nonprofit organization.This donation will be matched by Mosaic Realty and its broker who is supporting the featured non-profit. The idea for the events was born out of the longtime friendship between Mike Figura (Mosaic) and Ben Colvin (Devil’s Foot), who have long enjoyed challenging each other to do good through business. Supporting the effort is easy: All you need to do is show up and enjoy a tasty beverage, including craft soda on tap, beer and wine, as well as cocktails and mocktails featuring Devil’s Foot craft sodas and house-made tonic. Each event will be held at The Mule, the taproom by Devil’s Foot Beverages, which is located at 131 Sweeten Creek Road. Learn more.