ELIZABETHTOWN — A night of excitement at Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery met business owners and community members at the Casino Night for business appreciation.

Chuck Huestess, executive director of both Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial and of the Bladen County Economic Development Commission, played host for the sold-out Saturday night.

“Bladen County is more heavily dependent on manufacturing than a lot of modern-day communities,” Huestess said. “So, these folks create a lot of jobs. They create a lot of impact in the community. It’s something small that we can do to express our appreciation to them.”

That appreciation was clearly felt, with everyone enjoying their evening playing roulette, blackjack and other games. The air of the room was palpable with a thrum of excitement among business partners, spouses and friends of the community.

“These are folks, they’re very busy at work and it’s hard to get to them to talk to them,” he said. “It’s a night, they can bring their spouse out, get some brownie points by bringing them to a fun event at a nice venue at the Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery, and it’s a chance to get to talk to them. For some folks in the community, there may never otherwise get to meet them.

“I have had people that never even knew a plant manager stand there and play blackjack and talk to them for 45 minutes or an hour. It’s a really fun event, and just a really small thing that we can do to show our appreciation for the incredible impact that they have on Bladen County.”

“I think this is wonderful,” said Josh Butler. “I am really appreciative of the economic development and everybody who puts this on for people.

“We are watching this development grow, and as I am watching this whole thing grow, we are expanding right now.”

Butler’s business is getting into a new building, and out of the one he currently shares with another business.

“We realize that people see the benefit of Bladen County,” he said.

David Currie, the DuPont plant manager, was also out for the evening.

“I just think it’s a great event,” he said. “I think Bladen County needs an injection, and I think Chuck and his team are doing a really good job trying to really build up the community, and we support him.”

Gaming went for about three hours, and was followed by prizes.

“We had a lot of fun,” said Huestess. “I am glad we did it and I am looking forward to it again next year, when hopefully we will have even more of our industry able to come out and participate.”

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
The blackjack tables kept folks busy all night.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_casino_1.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
The blackjack tables kept folks busy all night.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Raffle tickets for prizes were drawn at the end of the night.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_casino_3.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Raffle tickets for prizes were drawn at the end of the night.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Chuck Huestess thanked all the sponsors for the event before drawing for the raffle.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_casino_5.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Chuck Huestess thanked all the sponsors for the event before drawing for the raffle.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Josh and Holly Hatchell were throwing in their raffle tickets they won at the end of the night.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_casino_4.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Josh and Holly Hatchell were throwing in their raffle tickets they won at the end of the night.

Emily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Todd and Jennifer Lyden and Dennis Troy enjoyed their evening playing blackjack.
https://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/web1_casino_2.jpgEmily M. Williams | Bladen Journal
Todd and Jennifer Lyden and Dennis Troy enjoyed their evening playing blackjack.

Emily M. Williams

Bladen Journal

Emily M. Williams can be reached at 910-247-9133 or ewilliams@bladenjournal.com.