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Dream It, Do It Q1 Winner: Herrera Family One of the first “Dream It. Do It.” winners is Silverio Herrera who was nominated by his wife Jeni. 1 min read

North Carolina’s Key Industries [Infographic] It’s no secret that North Carolina is a hotbed of business and population growth in the Southeast. We take a look at our home state’s key industries and the economic impact in 2017. 1 min read

First Bank and Mountain BizWorks – “Dream It. Do It.” First Bank has partnered with Mountain BizWorks for the first quarter of its “Dream It. Do It.” contest. 2 min read

Go Gastro in Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina is changing. Known for its contributions to both manufacturing and civil rights, a new area of notoriety is emerging. Cultural diversity is changing the way the city eats, and no one’s complaining. From new concepts to old favorites, First Bank lays out an ideal day of dining. These eateries aren’t the only options, but you won’t regret any of our selections below. Breakfast No one does breakfast like Smith Street Diner. A Greensboro staple that touts being open 8 days a week, the diner offers the classics. One might speculate how they can fit such great portion sizes into such a cozy space, but somehow they manage. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, fresh coffee and hand-squeezed orange juice may sound simple, but you can taste the love in everything they create. Make sure to sample one of their signature cat head biscuits before paying the bill. Be sure to get there early, because lines can go out the door. Lunch Since 1989, Jerusalem Market has been the choice for Middle Eastern eats in Greensboro. Just walk through the door and the scents of exotic spices and savory delicacies invite you to stay. Try the “Best Hummus in the World” and their pistachio baklava. Catch them at their new downtown location for a healthy meal backed by a healthy environment. Midday Snack Looking for a midday snack? Look no further than Yum Yum Better Ice Cream, located in the heart of the UNC-Greensboro campus. This iconic establishment has been family owned and operated since 1906. Serving a selection of homemade ice cream and classic hot dogs, Yum Yum is known for flavor, not flash, and it’s long been a staple for UNCG’s student body. Get “one all the way” hot dog and a “kid’s cone” of ice cream to hold you over. Dinner If you’re looking for a dinner that is a break from the norm, look no further than Crafted Restaurants. There are two Crafted locations in Greensboro with diverse themes. Before you jump the gun and assume Crafted – The Art of the Taco is a Mexican restaurant, take a look at their menu. On it, you’ll find such tacos as the “Fedora,” which is filled with succulent 4 min read

Where Your Locally Spent Dollar Goes [Infographic] An illustrated look at what happens when you spend a dollar or two in your hometown. 1 min read

A mother and her baby daughter pick fresh strawberries from their garden on a warm late summer morning at their home. Shot in Washington state.

Bringing Home the Veggies You’re all ready to buy local and eat local, but where to start. Have you ever considered a CSA? It might sound like a new financial or insurance product, but rest assured, this acronym is all about fresh food grown or raised right near your neighborhood. 4 min read

Can craft stay craft even at large scale?

Crafting a Future: Part Two In this second part of the series on small-scale manufacturing in the south, we wonder whether craft can really stay craft, even as it grows. 2 min read

Crafting a Future: Part One We have been reading a lot about profitable DIY-ers—those who turned hobbies into successful thriving companies. So we set out to answer this question: could small-scale makers have big impact? 4 min read

Community Partners: Relay for Life and the Montgomery Square Branch More than a decade ago, the staff at First Bank’s Montgomery Square branch in Troy, NC, began partnering with the local Montgomery County Relay for Life organization. 2 min read

Farmer with wooden box full of ripe vegetables

Cool Crops for Chilly Days: How to Plant a Fall Garden, Part 2 To get the inside dirt on gardening goodness, we talked to Julie Thompson-Adolf, who is a master gardener, South Carolina resident, and owner of Garden Delights. Below, in part 2 of this series, she shares some additional tips and tricks to stay green all winter long. Planning and Planting for Spring Vegetables aren’t the only plants to consider for your fall garden. “Fall is for planting, and it is a particularly good time to plant trees and shrubs,” says North Carolina gardener, Helen Yoest, author of Gardening with Confidence and Plants with Benefits. “This autumn, I’m adding 5 more highbush blueberries for my Raleigh garden, along with another fig tree.” Have a smaller space? With newer, dwarf varieties available, fruit trees and bushes can grow in containers on a balcony or patio, perfect for land-challenged homeowners. Along with fruits and vegetables, fall is an ideal time to add to the herb garden. “It’s also garlic planting time in my area,” says Yoest. “I plant starter bulbs in whisky-barrel containers.” Yoest also recommends buying garlic bulbs for planting purposes, as store bought garlic is typically treated with a growth inhibitor, preventing the bulbs from sprouting. Rebecca McKinney, Executive Director of the South Carolina Organization for Organic Living, agrees that fall is the perfect time for alliums. “Perennial alliums are my favorite vegetables,” she says. “I especially love perennial leeks and Egyptian walking onions. Although they take a little more effort than true perennials, if you manage the planting and spacing of the bulbuls, you’ll always have a steady supply.” Immediate Garden Gratification While planting garlic and leeks requires patience until harvesting next summer, you can enjoy almost immediate gratification by creating a beautiful, edible container filled with quickly maturing crops. Use the container design principle of “thriller, spiller, and filler.” Rainbow Swiss chard or Tuscan kale provides an eye-catching, tasty “thriller”—plant it in the center of the container. Add a variety of lettuces around the chard or kale as the “filler.” Lettuce is available in many beautiful colors and textures, such as the heirloom ‘Forellenschluss,’ with its red speckles on bright green leaves. ‘Tom Thumb’ peas serve as a “spiller,” with their dwarf vines, pretty blooms, and crisp pods. To add 4 min read

Cool Crops for Chilly Days: How to Plant a Fall Garden, Part 1 To get the inside dirt on gardening goodness, we talked to Julie Thompson-Adolf, who is a master gardener, South Carolina resident, and owner of Garden Delights. 3 min read

Shop Local: the Significance of a Growing Trend How do small businesses actually impact our communities? Is it really better to “shop small” instead of simply heading to the nearest big box retailer? We’ve asked the experts so that you can make an informed decision with every purchase. 4 min read

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