by Josh Carpenter

LINCOLNTON – Kara Brown thinks Lincoln County’s business future is very bright.

Brown, the existing business manager for the Lincoln Economic Development Association, helped recognize 20 area businesses March 15 for hitting milestones. Some have been in the county for five years, some for 60.

“It means the businesses are invested,” Brown said. “They’re invested in the community and they have plans to ride out the storm.”

Denver businesses that have endured include Purr Performance (five years), Race City Steel (five years), Calico Coatings (15 years) and Acton Engineering (25 years). Iron Station’s Lawing Marble also celebrated 25 years.

“These are the folks who on a daily basis go out and fight the good fight,” said Tom Anderson, economic development association board chair. “They are managing to stay in business in what has to be a pretty difficult environment. We’re particularly proud of these people.”

The event also recognized Mohican Mills, a Lincolnton textile business that’s been around for 60 years.

“Textile industries were dying out,” Brown said. “But in recent years, they’ve gained some new projects and businesses that have taken them to a whole new level.”

Brown and County Commission Board Chairman Alex Patton both said the current business climate is a testament to the commercial and residential appeal of the county.

“Our plan for them is to be here as long as they plan to be in existence,” Brown said. “It says a lot when you have these businesses here for so long.”

As manager of existing businesses, Brown likes the current business landscape in Lincoln County, but sees even more possibilities for the future.

“Several of these are textile businesses, so to see that they’re still here after all the moving jobs overseas, it shows that it can be done,” Brown said. “I think most of them are in good shape and we can see bright things for the future.”