Military Gear

ARDEN, N.C. –Diamond Brand Outdoors’ President and CEO, William Gay was recently invited to our nation’s capital, to receive recognition as a “Hero of Small Business,” at a U.S. House of Representatives Small Business Committee hearing held in honor of “National Small Business Week.” Gay used the trip to Washington D.C., as an opportunity to share ideas with entrepreneurs and congress members from across the country about achieving small business success, creating jobs and improving the economy.

In his time on Capitol Hill, Gay shared stories of two Diamond Brand team members whose employment exemplifies the impact that Diamond Brand jobs have had on the local community. Representative Health Shuler, who invited Gay to be part of the event, praised Diamond Brand for its role in Western North Carolina’s economy and community well being.

“I am proud of companies like Diamond Brand who create jobs and are drivers for our local economy,” said North Carolina Rep. Heath Shuler. “During the past decade, our local economy has suffered due to losses in manufacturing jobs. Diamond Brand is one example of a local business that is working to turn our economy around and bring back jobs to Western North Carolina. Diamond Brand currently employs more than 140 people in their manufacturing and retail operations.”

Not only was Diamond Brand honored as a “Hero of Small Business,” for the company’s lead in needful job-creation; the company also received praise for its lasting positive impact on community organizations throughout Western North Carolina.

“Their work with the local YMCA, with various environmental groups, and funding underprivileged kids to go to summer camps shows that they are not just a profitable and growing company, but a valuable asset to the Western North Carolina community. I am proud to have Mr. Gay testify in the House Small Business Committee about Diamond Brand’s great work as a successful small business and their role in lifting those in need in our mountain community,” said Rep. Shuler.

Diamond Brand, established in 1881, is the oldest, continuously operating sewn product manufacturer in the country. Currently, Diamond Brand has three stores with over 40,000 square feet of retail floor space, and is looking for future expansion opportunities. Diamond Brand has received many awards including the U.S. Department of Defense’s DLA Top Supplier Award, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Export Achievement Award, and has been named The Best Outdoor Outfitter in Western North Carolina six years in a row.

“I want to continue to dream big for the future of my family, company, and community in an area and industry that has been hit hard during the past decade. I want to be reassured that the laws and policies that are currently being crafted and implemented today are going to offer us the ability to be the leaders of the entrepreneurial spirit and engine of growth that this country has depended on for so many years,” said Gay.

For more information on Diamond Brand’s impact on Western North Carolina, visit www.diamondbrand.com.

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About Diamond Brand
Diamond Brand Outdoors is a complete outdoor outfitter with two retail locations in Western North Carolina. Diamond Brand specializes in helping customers find solutions to all their outdoor needs, offering the finest in selection, service and local knowledge. Diamond Brand has been a staple among outdoor enthusiasts in the Western North Carolina for over 40 years, firmly dedicated to preserving nature, fostering an enjoyment of the outdoors, and bettering Arden, Asheville and their surrounding communities. For more information on Diamond Brand Outdoors community involvement and upcoming store events visit www.diamondbrand.com