Chamber News

High Country Communities Unite to Support Small Business Recovery

The Watauga County Commissioners, Beech Mountain Town Council, Blowing Rock Town Council, and Boone Town Council have each passed resolutions advocating for continued financial and technical assistance for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. This collective action sends a strong message... Continue Reading

Watauga County Economic Development Association Opens February 2025 Business Snapshot Survey

Watauga EDC will release its full report for February 2025 business performance on March 18th BOONE, NC - In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has... Continue Reading

4 Under 40 Awards Finalists Announced

Sixteen members of the High Country community have been selected as category finalists for the 9th-annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards. This showcase of emerging leaders is presented by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. Winners will be announced at the annual awards... Continue Reading

Foundation Reopens Applications for Third Round of Business Resiliency Disaster Grants

BOONE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIRD ROUND OF BUSINESS RESILIENCY DISASTER GRANTS 162 businesses have received Hope for the High Country grants in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery Counties. BOONE, NC – After awarding grants to over 160 businesses in its... Continue Reading

Watauga Economic Development Commission Releases January 2025 Business Snapshot Report

BOONE, NC - In an ongoing effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission released its fourth monthly Business Snapshot Report, which highlights activity for the month of January... Continue Reading

Watauga Economic Development Commission Opens January 2025 Business Snapshot Survey

Watauga EDC also assists in launching Regional Business Impact Survey BOONE, NC – In a continued effort to track real-time conditions for local businesses as recovery from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continue, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its... Continue Reading

Governor Josh Stein Announces $30 Million Public-Private Partnership

Governor Josh Stein Announces $30 Million Public-Private Partnership to Fund Grants for Small Businesses Impacted by Hurricane Helene North Carolina Will Also Send $6 Million To Baptists on Mission, Habitat for Humanity to Aid Home Repair Projects Today in Boone, Governor Josh Stein... Continue Reading

Know Your Neighbor: Graystone Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection

Graystone Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection Awards $5,000 Grant to Local Charity, Samaritan’s Purse Local Businesses Come Together as Part of Choice Hotels’ Your Community, Your Choice Local Community Grant Program Boone, NC January 27, 2025 - Local charity Samaritan’s Purse... Continue Reading

2025 4 Under 40 Awards: Nominate an Emerging Leader

Nominations closed on Friday, February 28 at noon. Finalists will be released on Monday, March 3 with the winner of each category announced at the 4 Under 40 Awards Event on Wednesday, March 26. Each spring, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards honors 16... Continue Reading

9th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon Recap

A sold-out audience of over 300 Watauga County business leaders attended the 9th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday, January 16, at the Grandview Ballroom on the campus of Appalachian State University. The Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce and the Watauga... Continue Reading

Business Voices for WNC Recovery

On January 17, 2024, the Mind Your Business Podcast was on-location in Swannanoa, NC, one of the most devastated communities in Western North Carolina from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a regionally-focused panel discussion entitled Business... Continue Reading

Boone Area Chamber Hosts Watauga County Childcare Legislative Day

On January 14, 2024, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Watauga County Childcare Legislative Day, an event designed to spotlight the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the local childcare landscape. Held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Boone, the day began with our Connecting... Continue Reading