Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce, Columbus, Tryon & Saluda NC and Landrum SC

828-859-6236

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Facts and Information for New Residents

January 3, 2012 By the Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce

AIR TRANSPORTATION

The nearest commercial airport is the Asheville Regional Airport (http://www.flyavl.com/) at Fletcher, 23 miles from Columbus. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, (http://www.gspairport.com/) located at Greer, S.C., is 33 miles from Columbus. A private airport, Fairview, is located 8 miles south of Columbus and has a 3,000-ft. paved runway with lighting.

DRIVER’S LICENSE / TAG AGENCY

POLK COUNTY

Drivers License, Tag office, and Tax office on Walker St. Columbus. 828-894-8500

You can also go to the Hendersonville office: 828-692-6915, 125 Baystone Dr., Hendersonville, NC, Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Proof of insurance, a valid driver’s license (renewals only), Photo identification and a social security card are required. For additional information, call one of the DMV offices listed above.

N.C. License Tag Agency:  License plates may be renewed onlinet at www.ncdot.gov/dmv/.

Other locations:

Hendersonville: 828-692-0648, 145 Four Seasons Mall, Hendersonville, NC, Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spindale: 828-287-3600, 1639 US Hwy 74A Bypass, Ste. 140, Spindale, NC 28160, Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Newcomers must register vehicles within 30 days of moving into the state.

LANDRUM, SC

Newcomers have 90 days after establishing residency to apply for a driver’s license and 45 days to purchase a S.C. license tag. With a valid out-of-state driver’s license, only an eye exam is required. For more information, go on-line at http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/

Local Spartanburg County offices: 8794 Fairforest Rd., Suite B, Spartanburg, SC, Ph: 864-587-4713; Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

REGISTERING TO VOTE

It is suggested that people moving to our area register immediately so they may vote in local elections.

NORTH CAROLINA:

THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS, Womack Building, 101 Courthouse Street, Columbus, NC 28722

828-894-8181, Mon – Fri: 8:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

SOUTH CAROLINA:

SPARTANBURG COUNTY BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION, Human Resources Center -Evans Bldg, 142 South Dean St., PO Box 1287, Spartanburg, SC 29304

Newcomers must register at least 30 days before an election. NC residents may register to vote when applying for a driver’s license. You can register when you apply for a driver’s license. Or, on-line: www.scgop.com and www.scdp.org.

SCHOOLS

Polk County: Seven schools serve approximately 2,500 students:

Website: www.polkschools.org

Polk Central Elementary School: 828-894-8233, Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Saluda School: 828-749-5571, Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Sunny View Elementary School: 828-625-4530, Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Tryon Elementary School: 828-859-6584, Kindergarten through fifth grade.

Polk County Middle School: 828-894-2215, Grades sixth through eighth. (Opened 2005)

Polk County High School: 828-894-2525, Grades nine through twelve.

Polk County Early College: 828-894-2698, first virtual college in the state.

New students will need two documents: a birth certificate and immunization. State law requires immunization against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, red and German measles.

Polk County High School is located on 60 scenic acres just northeast of Columbus. The 135,000 sq. ft.  It has a 750-seat, fully equipped theatre.

All schools are part of a wide area network (WAN) connected to the state computer network. All students have access to laptop computers for use during the school year. A gifted program, in each school, is designed to challenge and motivate the creativity and intelligence of academically gifted students. Advanced-placement courses offer college credit for satisfactory work in English, U.S. History, Calculus, Biology and Chemistry. The schools participate in TIP; a Talent Identification Program sponsored by Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

Polk County Early College is located in Columbus, North Carolina , next to the High School.  The Polk County Early College is a Learn and Earn School in which students earn college credits while in high school. The Early College is a partner with the Isothermal Community College and with the North Carolina Virtual Public.

PRESCHOOL

Polk County Schools offer a daylong program for four-year-olds at four sites: Tryon Elementary/Forbes, Polk Central, Sunnyview and Saluda. Polk County Schools’administrative office is at Stearns Education Center in Columbus. Telephone: 828-894-3051.

LANDRUM

On the Web: www.spartanburg1.k12.sc.us

O.P. Earle Elementary School: 864-457-3416, 100 Redland Road, Landrum, SC 29356

Landrum Middle School: 864-457-2629, 104 Redland Road, Landrum, SC 29356

Landrum High School: 864-457-2606, 18818 Asheville Hwy, Campobello, SC 29322

Christian School: Grace Christian School: 864-457-3348, Landrum Mill Road, Landrum SC 29356

LIBRARIES

Lanier Library (private membership based): 828-859-9535, 72 Chestnut St., Tryon, NC — Website: www.lanierlib.org

Polk County Public Library: 828-894-8721, next to the Polk County ICC Campus — Website: www.publib.polknc.org

Saluda Public Library: 828-749-2117, 44 W. Main St., Saluda, NC (branch of Polk County Library)

Landrum Library: 864-457-2218, 111 E. Asbury Drive — Landrum, SC 29356C, Website: http://www.infodepot.org/zloc/laninfo.asp

NORTH CAROLINA TAXES

Tax Rates:  http://www.polknc.org/TAX%20RATE%20BREAKDOWN%20WORKSHEET%202016-2017.pdf

State Income Tax is based on Federal Taxable Income with modifications of certain deductions and exemptions. Tax rates start at 7% of taxable income and range to a maximum of 7.7%. The state sales tax rate is 7%, with the exception of retail sales of food for home consumption. Drugs purchased under a doctor’s prescription are exempt. All income from North Carolina Municipal Bonds and unit trusts is Federal, State and Intangibles tax-free.  Tax Collector can be reached at 828-894-8500.

HEALTH CARE

Polk County has St. Luke’s Hospital, a 74-bed private, nonprofit, acute care hospital providing 24-hour-a-day Physician coverage. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). Excellent health and wellness programs are conducted at St. Luke’s and the wooded, exercise path located directly behind the hospital is a popular place for community walkers. Polk Social Services offers in-home services and administers other supportive services.

828-894-3311. Website: http://www.saintlukeshospital.com

Spartanburg County has Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, a 480-bed facility that includes state of the art technology, offers the only regional air ambulance center, the Gibbs Cancer Center, and the Heart Center. 864-560-6806, Website: www.spartanburgregional.com

Health Check provides free health insurance to children 0-20 whose families qualify. NC Health Choice for Children offers free or low-cost health insurance to uninsured children 0-18 whose families do not qualify for Medicaid. Both programs have comprehensive benefits. Call toll-free 877-252-8066 or 828-859-5825 in Polk County for information and applications. www.dhhs.state.nc.us.

Filed Under: Living Here

CHAMBER EVENTS

Bites for Boosting Your Business in April 2023
April 13, 2023

Business After Hours April 2023
April 27, 2023

Business After Hours May 2023
May 25, 2023


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CAROLINA FOOTHILLS EVENTS

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Carolina Foothills Chamber of Commerce Events

Bites for Boosting Your Business in April 2023

April 13, 2023
(8:00 AM-9:30 AM)

Come join the Chamber for this Morning Learning Session! (8:00 – 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast bites and networking) 

This Quarter’s Topic: Story to Sell 

Shannon Zimmerman has an MFA in fiction writing and is a published author. She has 15 years of experience with Parsons Corporation as a copywriter and corporate storyteller, making her uniquely qualified to guide you in your own business storytelling for marketing and SEO purposes. Come learn the following and walk away with a plan to boost your business!

  • What is brand storytelling?
  • Why do businesses need to storytell in their marketing?
  • 7-Step Brand Story Framework
  • Come away with a 1-page messaging doc for all the copy needed for website, blog, ads, and email marketing
  • Practical applications for applying the messaging 

Special thanks to our 2023 Raffle Prize Sponsor: Voisin Enterprises 

Space is limited, so please RSVP

Cost: Free

Location: Looking Glass Realty, 108 East Main Street Saluda, NC

Contact: Sarah Leatham (828)-606-1740


Business After Hours April 2023

April 27, 2023
(5:30 PM-7:30 PM)

HOSTED BY:   BRIGHT’S CREEK CLUB

Please RSVP

Directions

The premier networking events for business professionals.

  1. Gain more exposure for your business
  2. Network with other business persons in the area
  3. Discuss and share ideas
  4. Learn about and tour other local businesses
  5. Find contacts and resources that will benefit you and your business

This is your time to network and get out there in the community. Bring your business cards and even a door prize to promote your business even more.

There will be food and refreshments served.

Cost: Free

Location: Bright’s Creek Club 335 Clubhouse, Mill Spring, NC 28756

Contact: Chamber Office (828)-859-6236


Business After Hours May 2023

May 25, 2023
(5:30 PM-7:30 PM)

HOSTED BY:  

TILE SPECIALTIES/COLUMBUS DESIGN CENTER

202 E. Mills St. Columbus NC 28722

Please RSVP

Directions

The premier networking events for business professionals.

  1. Gain more exposure for your business
  2. Network with other business persons in the area
  3. Discuss and share ideas
  4. Learn about and tour other local businesses
  5. Find contacts and resources that will benefit you and your business

This is your time to network and get out there in the community. Bring your business cards and even a door prize to promote your business even more.

There will be food and refreshments served.

Cost: Free

Location: Tile Specialties 202 East Mills Street, Columbus NC

Contact: Chamber Office (828)-859-6236


Carolina Foothills Community Events

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Visit First Peak for a community calendar of events in our area.

Or download another  Community Calendar

Saluda Outfitters Feb 2023 Music Schedule

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  • Landrum SC
  • Saluda NC
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Our Annual Sponsors

First Citizens Bank Forever First
Duke Energy
Alchemi Wealth Horizontal Logo B&G
Tryon Horse & Home Logo - Karl Small
Voisin Enterprises

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Carolina Foothills Chamber

2753 Lynn Road
Suite A
Tryon NC 28782 (Get Directions)
828-859-6236
Email Us

Hours:
Mon - Closed
Tues - 8-1pm
Wed - By appt
Thurs - 8-1pm
Fri - 10-2pm
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