Nominations are now being accepted by the Franklin Chamber of Commerce for several annual awards including Citizen of the Year, Civic Club or Community Organization of the Year and Chamber Member of the Year. 828.369.7516 or facc@franklin-chamber.com. Nominations must be received no later than Nov. 13.

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The Princeton Review rated Western Carolina University’s College of Business as one of the nation’s 301 best business schools at which to earn a master’s degree in business administration.

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The Hermitage Assisted Living & Memory Care Community, which has broken ground in Dillsboro, has opened an information office at 73 West Main Street in Sylva.

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A Goodwill Store has opened at 295 West Gate Plaza in Franklin. Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.

WestCare Health System has received a $50,000 grant from The Cannon Foundation to replace an aging chilling unit at Harris Regional Hospital. The new system will help reduce energy consumption at the hospital by 15 to 20 percent and will save more than $30,000 annually in energy costs.

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The Aztex BP off Highway U.S. 23/74 in Sylva has become the first gas fueling station in Jackson County to offer biodiesel fuel. All of the biodiesel at the Aztex BP is made in Asheville by Blue Ridge Biofuels.

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The N.C. Commerce Department’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development won a 2009 Mercury Award for its campaign to promote in-state leisure travel. The award was presented by the U.S. Travel Association’s National Council of State Tourism Directors.

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Southwestern Community College will offer a certificate program in Professional Office Management in Franklin beginning Monday, Nov. 2. The program is designed to provide new career opportunities for people looking to better their job prospects and meets on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.

800.447.4091, ext 426.

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The Small Business Center of Haywood Community College will offer a free seminar entitled “Marketing for the Craftsperson & Artist ... Part II”, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at HCC’s Student Center Building, first floor.

Call 828.627.4512.

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Meridith Elliott Powell will discuss 10 ways to blend online and traditional marketing to increase business without busting a budget at the Gateway Club at 8 a.m. on Nov. 4. $10 for Haywood Chamber members, $15 for non-members.

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Accupuncturist Donna L. Combs has opened Dragonfly Medicine Acupuncture in Waynesville. Combs’ oriental medicine practice incorporates the use of acupuncture, herbal medicine, tui na (Asian bodywork therapy), and nutrition. 828.400.1430.

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Angel Medical Center has been named a recipient of The Jackson Group’s prestigious Laureate Award for Workplace Excellence. Less than 5 percent of the healthcare organizations The Jackson Group surveys qualify for the Laureate Award for Excellence.

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After a two-year hiatus, an internal medicine physician has returned to Haywood County. Dr. James P. Weaver will have a temporary office at Haywood Women’s Medical Center.

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General Surgeon Dr. Olufemi “Femi” Babalola has joined Mountain Valley Surgery, located on the campus of Harris Regional Hospital. He will begin seeing patients this fall when he and his family relocate to the area. 828.586.3976.

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Dr. Silvia Abreu Read, MD, Internal Medicine, will join Angel Primary Care on Nov. 2. Angel Primary Care will host an open house from 4-7 p.m., Oct. 29.

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Wellspring Family Practice will hold an open house 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, to welcome Dr. Christian Moretz and Jamie Ellingwood, P.A.

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Dr. Judson Garbarino has joined Carolina West Sports Medicine. The practice will also expand coverage to hold office hours at WestCare Medical Park of Franklin on Mondays and Swain CountyHospital on Wednesdays.

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Dr. Joel Harrington has joined the Animal Hospital of Waynesville. 828.456.9755

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Dr. Jessica Kent Ange has joined Sylva Family Practice. 828.586.4012.