Smoky Mountain News

Balsam Spa, owned and operated by Cristy Smathers Patten and Brooke Sutton Roberts, is now open at Waynesville Inn, Golf Resort and Spa. Spa hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10-6 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 828.456.3551 or www.BalsamSpa.com

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The Franklin Chamber of Commerce and the Mayor of Franklin had a ribbon cutting in celebration of the opening of Cat Creek Lodge, owned by Phil and Sharon Drake and managed by Dan Johnson and his wife. 828.524.0991.

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A new cigar shop, Smokey Mountain Cigars has opened in Franklin by owners Eddie Pinkosky and Jeff Bianchi. Smokey Mountain Cigars offers premium handmade cigars, pipes and pipe tobacco, lighters and cigar accessories. The smoking lounge includes a big screen television always playing sports events like NASCAR, NBA, NFL or MLB games and big, comfortable leather arm chairs to enjoy a great cigar with the game. Smokey Mountain Cigars is located at 1991 Georgia Road in Franklin and is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from noon until 7 p.m. 828.369.1000.

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Milima Ranch Outfitters is now operating on over a thousand acres of wilderness in Haywood County, with dozens of trails for riders of every caliber. Hour-long trail rides are available for beginners. There are also two-hour rides, recommended for people living a more active lifestyle but who might not be completely comfortable on a horse. For the more experienced guests MRO provides half and full day rides that will cover up to 20 miles of rugged mountain trails. Recommended for those with a fair amount of riding ability, these rides showcase how a horse can perform in its natural setting. Additional services include fully catered picnic rides, daily horse rentals, pack in/out and mounted fishing expeditions for the hiking/fishing enthusiast and supply drops for distance hikers.

Milimaranchoutfitters.com or 828.456.3021

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A new lending program is making it easier for businesses to borrow the money they need to keep employees and create new jobs. The program, called the North Carolina Capital Access Program has enrolled 54 lenders with more than 1,100 branches across the state. Participating banks found in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties are: First Citizens, Blue Ridge Savings Bank, Champion Credit Union, BB&T, Macon Bank and Mountain Biz Capital. Any North Carolina Business with 500 employees or fewer is eligible to apply for an NC-CAP loan, including nonprofit organizations that wish to support business purposes such as child-care centers. Since the first loan, awarded in February to a Lincoln County logging company, 20 businesses have received loans, totaling more than $1 million.

919.250.4314 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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Nutmeg Bakery Cafe is a new establishment in Maggie Valley. Family owned and operated, it uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients and bakes all of their products fresh daily. The cafe makes donuts, pastries, breads, cakes, and pies along with the breakfast and lunch menu. They have daily lunch specials and specialize in making regional food items, including New York style bagels, New England style old-fashioned donuts, and New Orleans style Cajun food alongside many Southern specialties. 828.734.8182.

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Rana Rinata Italian Grill recently opened in Franklin at 57 Highlands Road in the Shops on the Riverwalk. Owner Scott Moritz and Executive Chef Lisa Thordarson are the previous owner and executive chef of the Frog and Owl. Rana Rinata is offering all homemade sauces, breads, and desserts, with everything made from scratch. It also carries local, organic, grass-fed beef. 828.524.3663.

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Southwestern Community College has been rated “exceptional” by the N.C. Community College System again, as they have for three of the past four years. SCC has also signed an honors partnership with N.C. State University, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, which brings the total number of universities that accept SCC honors credits up to five. 828.339.4265 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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Jobseekers can receive help from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Career Connections Center on Hendrix Street in Waynesville. The center is a joint venture between Haywood Community College and Goodwill Industries. Since it opened it early May, Career Connections has served more than 100 job-seekers in Haywood County. Career coaches at the center help people with job searches, job applications, resumes and skills necessary to keep a job. Spanish Translation Career Coaching and self-paced English study is available on Wednesdays and Fridays. 828.246.9233.

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The Swain County Chamber and The Smoky Mountain News will be hosting a meet and greet at the Swain County chamber offices Aug. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. to kick off sales in the 2012 Swain County Visitor’s Guide. This will be an opportunity for business owners to learn more about the benefits of chamber membership, join for the first time or renew their membership, as well as reserve ad space in the 2012 publication.

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MedWest Health System welcomes Dr. Macy Latter, a doctor of osteopathy, practicing in Swain County. Latter graduated from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and received her doctor of philosophy degree in Community Health Education from Virginia Tech. 828.488.4205.

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Haywood Vocational Opportunities, a nonprofit mission-driven social enterprise business that produces medical devices for both domestic and international surgical needs, has received the 2010 Silver Safety Award by the North Carolina Department of Labor. The Silver Safety Award is granted to businesses whose employee absences are less than 50 percent compared to rates of similar industries throughout the state.

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The Small Business Resource Center located in the library at Haywood Community College is expanding its selection daily. Currently, nearly 700 books are shelved and more are added every day. The HCC library is located in the Freedlander Building and is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursdays. 828.627.4512 or www.sbc.haywood.edu.