Soundside Tours makes a splash
It’s time to be out on the water! Meet Captain Mike and Karen Blanton who offer specialized private charter excursions for small groups and families to see the Crystal Coast. Their unique approach includes not…
First Rung business grows
The Footnote has expanded its business to offer run coach services. As an RRCA Certified Coach, Carrington Wooten Burton will do individualized coaching, custom training, and group plans. 5K to Ultra levels are welcome! Connect…
New Grant Received
The 20th annual Penguin Plunge was a record-breaking success, with 841 participants and the largest amount raised to date! New Years Day, 2023 was sunny and mild (thankfully), with 68 degree air temperatures and the…
Penguin Plunge 2023
Take the Plunge! Register now! The Penguin Plunge website is open for registration and sponsors. We are excited to announce that First Rung is one of two local charities selected to benefit from the 2023…
The Footnote
Meet our newest First Rung loan recipient, Carrington Wooten, founding owner of The Footnote. As an endurance athlete currently training for an Ultra, Carrington knows what it means to spend a lot of time on…
Cox Family Ice Cream
It’s never too cold for homemade, small-batch ice cream, especially if it’s served in a welcoming, family-friendly setting in downtown Newport (246 Chatham Street). Meet Leetty and Andrew Cox, the founding owners of Cox Family…
First Rung helps launch two new businesses
Spring is a time for growth, not only in the natural world but also in our local small business economy. In March and April, respectively, First Rung made loans to Jerry “Jay” Johnson, Jr. at…
Unique Meets Uniform at the Corner of 24 and 70
A self-proclaimed take charge person, Carra Christensen is ready to own a business. She follows her dad, a textbook self-starter, as she transforms her long-standing nursing career into an online and retail uniform business that…
A Fresh Approach to Grab and Go
Thanks to a brief suggestion from a renowned local chef, Jerry “Jay” Johnson got the notion of learning to cook. He had some experience working in restaurants, but he had never considered that it would…
First Rung’s first success is a sweet success!
Amber DiCostanzo harbored the dream of owning her own cafe and bakery for years. No newcomer to breads, pastries or desserts, Amber’s restaurant experience spans decades and extends from New England to North Carolina. But…