Hudson visits small businesses in Lexington

U.S. Congressman Richard Hudson, R-NC 8, was in Lexington on Wednesday visiting several businesses on Main Street.

He said he wanted to take the opportunity to meet some of the small-business owners in town, as well as to introduce a prospective representative to the area.

“As the congressman that represents this area, I try to spend as much time as possible here,” Hudson said. “Today we are back to visit a few businesses and I am also taking the opportunity to introduce people to Ted Budd, the Republican nominee for the 13th District.”

Budd is running against Democrat Bruce Davis to represent the new district.

Hudson will no longer be the representative for Davidson County due to the recently redrawn district lines. Davidson County will now be in the 13th Congressional District, which also includes Iredell and Davie counties and parts of Guilford and Rowan counties

Some of the businesses Hudson and local leaders toured included the Army Navy Store, the Candy Factory, Bull City Ciderhouse, Backyard Retreat, The Olde Homestead; Sophie’s Cork and Ale and Lanier’s Hardware.

At each stop, Hudson introduced himself and Budd while also inquiring about the history of each store. He said wanted to understand what made each place so successful.

“Every time I come back to Lexington, I am so impressed because you have new things happening and new businesses opening,” Hudson said. “It is exciting to see a thriving community, a thriving downtown. It shows that you have good leaders who understand what businesses need to succeed.”

Ryan Bogard, one of the co-owners of Bull City Ciderworks, explained how they came to open their distribution center, as well as their new restaurant in Lexington.

“We wanted to get into an industry that was growing,” Bogard said. “Cidery was something that was really hot and we decided this was something we wanted to bring back home.”

Chris Phelps, owner of High Rock Outfitters and director of the Tourism-Recreation Investment Partnership of Davidson County, explained some of the local recreational programs the county is proposing.

“We are working with the recreational trail program that is a federal program through the state park program to build some accesses out at Boone’s Cave Park and Wilcox Bridge,” Phelps said. “There are a lot of opportunities down along the Yadkin.”

Hudson said that he is very impressed with how local leaders have developed business-friendly practices to encourage new businesses.

“Small businesses are where all the jobs are,” Hudson said. “One of the things I do in Washington is to tackle the barriers that small businesses deal with from the federal side. You have a local barrier when it comes to ordinances and your mayor and council have been very responsive in dealing with some of those.”

He said the reason for the tour is to let people know that representatives of Davidson County want to know the issues that concern small business owners.

“Is it important that your government is responsive and understand what businesses need,” Hudson said. “We want small businesses to see Lexington and Davidson County as a good place to come and be successful.”