We were honored to have US Senator Ted Budd visit Caldwell County and the Hudson Uptown Building this week. Senator Budd heard from Caldwell County leaders and organization representatives including Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and CCC&TI’s Small Business Center. Representatives from the Caldwell County Chamber, Economic Development Commission and other local leaders and elected officials were also on hand for the meeting. Senator Budd heard from Commissioner Mike LaBrose, Hudson Mayor Janet Winkler, HUB Director Abbie Faber and CCC&TI Small Business Center Director Carmela Tomlinson about the services and resources available to the community at the HUB and through the college’s Small Business Center. Tomlinson shared information on the impact of the SBC’s work over the last year with local small businesses and entrepreneurs. Also in attendance were local business owners, Dan and Meagen Kellly who shared their story of relocating to North Carolina in early 2024 from Minneapolis. The Kelly’s not only shared about the support they received from the SBC as the new owners of Lake Hickory Pub and Marina but also about the impact and recovery following Hurricane Helene. For more on the Kelly’s story, read below, A Dream Washed Away – And Rebuilt: The Ungorgettab
Special thanks to Senator Budd and his team for visiting with us and for their support of CCC&TI, the Town of Hudson, Caldwell County and our shared communities.
A Dream Washed Away—and Rebuilt: The Unforgettable First Year of Lake Hickory Pub & Marina
In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene tore through western North Carolina, unleashing destruction that would mark it as the most catastrophic storm in the region’s recorded history. Ferocious winds, landslides, and record-breaking flooding didn’t just reshape the landscape—they reshaped lives. For many families and small businesses, the aftermath wasn’t just about cleanup. It was about survival, resilience, and rebuilding from the ground up.
One such story belongs to Dan and Meagen Kelly, a couple whose courage and determination have become a symbol of strength for their community.
In February 2024, with hopeful hearts and two kids in tow, Dan and Meagen left behind their life in Minneapolis—along with stable careers in nursing and corporate sales—to chase a dream. They sold their home and purchased the Lake Hickory Pub & Marina in North Carolina the following month. It was their first time owning a business, but they were all in—literally. Their new home was nestled right above the pub, and their new life was centered around building something meaningful, together as a family.
From day one, Dan and Meagen did everything right. They sought support from the Small Business Center, asking the questions most first-time owners might not even know to ask. They purchased a business in good standing, left by previous owners in their 60s. But Dan and Meagen had a vision to modernize and grow. They dove into the deep end, streamlining the pub’s menu, replacing outdated paper bookkeeping with a digital system, and consolidating three confusing POS systems into one efficient platform that would serve the pub, marina, and rental operations.
Guided by the Small Business Center and guest counselor Dani Black, they received more than 20 hours of consultation, refining everything from food sourcing to technology upgrades. By late summer, Lake Hickory Pub & Marina was a vibrant, full-service destination. The future looked bright.
Then, on September 27th, their dream was ripped away—literally.
As Hurricane Helene raged, Dan and Meagen stood helplessly by, watching in disbelief as their $500,000 marina was torn from the shoreline. Boat slips, guest docks, pontoon rentals—everything they had invested in—drifted away into the flood-swollen lake, reduced to floating debris. In a matter of hours, they went from a bustling waterfront hub with 50+ boat slips and guest parking spots, to a single pontoon boat and no way for customers to access the business by water. They were the “hardest hit business on the Catawba County border” and forced to close their business for over a week due to power outage, devastation, etc.
They had no backup plan. No second income. No alternative home. And yet, they didn’t run. They didn’t give up.
They went into survival mode.
Navigating the maze of limited insurance coverage, disaster recovery programs, and financial assistance options would have been overwhelming for even the most seasoned business owner. But Dan and Meagen leaned into their support system, with the Small Business Center and a rallying local community helping them every step of the way.
They applied for and received two grants totaling $30,000 and secured a $100,000 loan through the WNC Strong – Helene Business Recovery Fund. And then, they got to work. Tirelessly.
Today, just months after the storm that nearly ended everything, Lake Hickory Pub & Marina is not only back—but stronger than ever. The new marina boasts 60 boat slips, 12 guest parking spots, and three gleaming new pontoon rentals. The business is thriving. The improvements increased its value and its visibility. Locals and visitors alike have shown up in force, and support has poured in. Community partners have rallied. The business now enjoys a waitlist of enthusiastic employees and has become a beloved destination on Lake Hickory.
Yet Dan and Meagen’s journey is far from over. They still face challenges: rebuilding the shoreline, restoring the septic system, and installing a retaining wall. But if their first year has proven anything, it’s that their spirit is unbreakable. Passionate, disciplined, and motivated, they’ve demonstrated the heart of true entrepreneurship—not only rebuilding a business but becoming a beacon of hope and resilience for the entire region.
Their unwavering dedication didn’t go unnoticed. The Caldwell Chamber of Commerce named Lake Hickory Pub & Marina the “Caldwell County Small Business of the Year 2025” It’s an honor richly deserved—not just for their recovery, but for the way they have poured back into the community that helped lift them up.
Dan and Meagen Kelly embody what it means to rise after the storm. In their very first year of business ownership, they endured the kind of devastation that forces many to walk away. But instead, they rebuilt something even greater!
Their story is not just about overcoming a hurricane—it’s about the kind of heart it takes to start over, the grit it takes to keep going, and the dream that refuses to be washed away.
“We were very fortunate to learn about the SBC shortly after we moved to Hickory to purchase Lake Hickory Pub and Marina. Being new business owners in a new community they were extremely valuable helping us get off to a strong start. The people and level of service they provided was amazing and played a pivotal role in our initial and ongoing success,” shared Kelly. “We view them as a true partner and will continue to partner with them for as long as we are in business. We would recommend them to any small business owner!”
For more information on CCC&TI’s Small Business Center and available resources, visit www.cccti.edu or contact Director Carmela Tomlinson at ctomlinson@cccti.edu or 828-726-3065.