The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development (HCPED) held its much-anticipated Annual Event this month, bringing together over 250 community leaders, public partners, and dedicated members to celebrate the spirit of economic development in our region at WAG Farm.
Welcome, Friends!
The evening kicked off with a cocktail hour in the late afternoon sunshine. Drinks in hand, friends and partners had the chance to connect in a laid back setting.
Brittany Brady, President & CEO of The Partnership, welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude for their commitment to economic growth in Henderson County. Brittany highlighted the annual sponsors who make the event and the work of The Partnership possible each year, and she recognized the hard-working members of the HCPED Board of Directors, whose tireless efforts forward our mission. Finally, Brittany provided a heartfelt acknowledgment of our public partners who unite to support economic development in our community.
Once the barn doors opened, guests made their way down the buffet line, filling plates full of barbecue, cornbread and sides. Attendees made their way through the grass to a giant tent to eat, with flowers, hay bales and cafe lights creating a festival atmosphere. Music from the Stipe Brothers kept the mood fun on a near-perfect weather evening, and Sweet Cub handed out soft serve creations for dessert from their candy-colored camper.
Awarding Partner of the Year
After dinner, Will Buie, former Chair of the Board, addressed the crowd. He highlighted the importance of community involvement in achieving HCPED’s mission, and announced a very special Partner of the Year award:
This year, the Partnership chose to honor everyone after the heroic lifts taken to collaborate and regrow in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
“Every act – big or small, seen or unseen – has mattered. We realized that we couldn’t choose a single recipient, so tonight, we celebrate each of you,” Will emphasized. “Each of you are our partners of the year – keeping Henderson County whole and on the path of resilience.”
Keeping True North In Sight
In addition to expressing gratitude for the important work over the past year, the Partnership acknowledged the need to pause and prepare, should disaster strike again in the future. From the Recovery Action Plan, came clear direction to establish a Business Preparedness Plan. This practical checklist will help companies face uncertainty. Everyone at the event received a “True North Packet”, which included the 2024-2025 Annual Report, the Business Preparedness Plan, and a compass, to remind everyone that they have helped guide and keep our community steady in the storm.
“Here’s to all of you—for your compassion, your tenacity, and your unwavering spirit,” toasted Will. And here’s to our community—our strength, our heart, our future.
Guests ended the evening by picking up their “True North Packets” as they left.
The event was made possible thanks to the generous support of Premier Members: Carolina Specialties, Cooper Construction, Duke Energy, First Bank, First Citizens Bank, Kimberly-Clark, Linamar Light Metals, Pardee UNC Health, RYSE Construction, UPM Raflatac, and Vannoy Construction.
Patron members include: Advent Health, Allen-Tate/Beverly Hanks, Avery Dennison, Blue Ridge Community College, Enbridge Gas NC, ERC Broadband, GE Current, Hometrust Bank, Jabil, Lassonde, Morrow Insurance, Optimum, Pepsi, Tennoca Construction Company, The Van Winkle Law Firm, and Wells Fargo.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening, and here’s to continuing our work together for a resilient community and economy.