The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce has been named a Family Forward NC ® Certified Employer by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s Family Forward NC ® initiative. Launched in 2018, Family Forward NC ® is an innovative initiative to improve children’s health and... Continue Reading
EDC News
Economic development news that builds the High Country.
The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce its winners of the 2025 Watauga County Business of the Year Awards. Large Business of the Year: Appalachian State University Small Business of the Year: High Country Radio Startup Business of the Year: King Street Flowers & Gifts... Continue Reading
As 2025 comes to a close, we reflect on a year marked by deeper connection, growth, and renewed momentum for the Boone area business community. This year brought meaningful interaction with state leaders, expanded advocacy efforts, and a renewed focus on community gatherings and storytelling that... Continue Reading
As we move into the last few months of 2025, the High Country has no shortage of important conversations that are driving our economic development landscape. On Wednesday, October 8, at The Beacon Butcher Bar, a group of over 80 attendees heard directly from those involved in key projects... Continue Reading
As the High Country economy and seasons transition, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce released its Q3 Economic Indicators Report for 2025. This quarterly report examines five key statistics within the Watauga County & High Country Economy: Residential Home Sales Sales Tax Occupancy... Continue Reading
EDPNC Billboard on the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Linn Cove Viaduct, October 14, 2025. North Carolina has once again been named the #1 state for business, and the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to showcase how the High Country contributes to that statewide success. As part of the... Continue Reading
Watauga EDC will release its combined report for May-June 2025 business performance on July 24th 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... Continue Reading
Stability among key indicators highlights predictability in both revenue and performance for businesses 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... Continue Reading
Watauga EDC will release its full report for April 2025 business performance on May 27th 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
How the Boone Chamber and Watauga EDC Are Staying Engaged in Local & Regional Conversations Access to affordable, high-quality childcare continues to be a critical priority of the Watauga County Economic Development Commission. This month, we have been actively engaged in conversations... Continue Reading
Sixth month of data collection shows improvement on Helene’s impact on the local economy 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... Continue Reading
Watauga EDC will release its full report for March 2025 business performance on April 17th 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