Mind Your Business - A Podcast Series produced by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

Mind Your Business is back and loaded with information this week.

We start with a recap of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein's State of the State address, along with updates on Helene recovery activities working through local and State government channels.

Speaking of local government, Watauga County has partnered with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Aerostar to expedite debris removal from waterways and private property. Watauga County Emergency Management Director, Will Holt, Darlene Abbot, Project Manager for Aerostar, joined WATA's Mark in the Morning for a detailed discussion around the program, including details on how commercial and residential property owners can access this free service.

We end the show with a visit with an old friend.

Dr. Scott Elliott is locally known as the longtime Superintendent of Watauga County Schools and former Director of Development for Blue Ridge Conservancy. He now serves as Deputy Director of Engagement for GROW NC, working throughout the western region on hurricane recovery efforts. We'll hear about the mission of this new organization, what Governor Stein's priorities are for the work of this office, and how local residents can interact with the agency.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Visit GROW NC online at www.wncrecovery.nc.gov.  

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Mind Your Business is back with a new format and a metric ton of High Country News!

We start on campus where Dr. Heather Norris was announced today as the 8th Chancellor in Appalachian State University's history. We were granted a one-on-one interview with Chancellor Norris following her appointment, where she talks about her Chamber roots and the role of campus as a positive and supportive partner for the High Country community.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the snow sports industry has provided a much needed boost to our region's economic recovery. Talia Freeman, Director of Marketing at Beech Mountain Resort, talks about the impact of cold weather on the success of the slopes, and what she hears from visitors as they return to the mountains. Talia also details the upcoming Runs for Buns fundraising weekend, and gives some inspiration for those businesses looking to find their philanthropic cause.

We also have information about the third round of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hope for the High Country: Business Resiliency Disaster Grant program.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show is made possible through the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

Small businesses throughout Western North Carolina are closer to much needed financial relief. 

On Friday, January 31, 2025, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein was in Boone and announced the creation of a pool of $30M for the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative II, a grant program for eligible businesses in Helene-impacted counties. 

On this week's Mind Your Business, we will hear directly from Governor Stein about this program and we will break down eligibility criteria in great detail. We will also hear from other involved with the program as they explain how small businesses in our region can benefit from these available funds.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. It is made possible each week thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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On January 16, 2025, the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce hosted the 9th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon, in front of a sold out audience at Appalachian State's Grandview Ballroom.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we hear the annual High Country Economic Forecast from Dr. Harry Davis, Regional Economist and Dean of the NC School of Banking. Dr. Davis recaps 2024, discusses the economic impact of hot topics like housing and inflation, and breaks down the impact of Hurricane Helene on the local economy. He also delivers his forecast for Watauga County, Western North Carolina, and the entire State for 2025.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

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 Voices for WNC Recovery. In addition to remarks from Chamber leaders from across the region, the overflow audience heard directly from businesses from impacted areas, about their current realities, immediate needs, and continued pain points as recovery efforts continue.

Regional Business Panelists:
Lisa Cooper, President/CEO, Mast General Store
Meredith Ellison, Founder and Chief Well-Being Officer, Quility
Sandi Garcia Boyer, Executive Director, North Carolina Youth Camp Association

Main Street Business Panelists:
Jeffrey Burroughs, President, River Arts District Association
Michelle Bollman, General Manager, Stick Boy
Karen Caruso, Founder/Owner, Mind Your Business

Please stay engaged with your local Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development organizations for the latest information related to business supports for storm recovery. You can help these organizations by responding to requests for data and stories, as these asks from the legislative and grant-funding communities are critical to informing future policy and funding discussions.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. It is made possible each week thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

We continue to fill your pre-holiday stockings with year-in-review content -- a perfect listen while you are wrapping gifts or cleaning before the in-laws arrive!

This week's Mind Your Business puts the focus on the year that was for Watauga County. Newly sworn Chairman of the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, Braxton Eggers, is this week's guest. As expected, we will discuss the county's role in hurricane relief and we'll also update the list of projects that were in queue prior to the storm. Chairman Eggers will also address economic development priorities, school construction, and other projects that could come to the top of discussions in 2025.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

Tis the season for year in review content, and we will not disappoint!

Over the next few weeks, our Mind Your Business episodes will feature local leaders with conversation around the year in review, but also what is to come in 2025. Our first guest is Town of Boone Mayor Tim Futrelle. We will discuss Helene recovery, the recently approved Howard Street development project, and the approval and eventual rollout of Boone Next.

Mind Your Business is a weekly (for the most part) production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program is made possible thanks to sponsorship from Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.  

Support the show

The question continues to get asked - "What are the current needs in Western North Carolina?"

We have dedicated this week's episode of Mind Your Business to answering that question, with discussion straight from the community leaders that are working in the ever-evolving trenches of Hurricane Helene recovery.

This week's panel of guests include:
Casey Gilbert, Vice President of Public Policy, Asheville Chamber of Commerce
Kim Effler, President/CEO, McDowell Chamber of Commerce
Robin Morgan, Executive Director, Avery County Chamber of Commerce
Kitty Honeycutt, Executive Director, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.
Panel moderated by David Jackson, President/CEO, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce

Our panel will discuss current conditions in each community, silver linings that have developed since the storm, and how can people provide impactful help at this time.

Each community is working on local fundrasing initiatives for individual and business support:

Asheville Chamber of Commerce: - Mountain Strong Fund for Small Business Recovery
McDowell County Chamber of Commerce - Hurricane Helene Business Relief
Avery County Chamber of Commerce - Avery County Business Recovery Fund
Ashe County Chamber of Commerce - Ashe County Advantage Project
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce - Hurricane Helene Business Resiliency Disaster Grants

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

So, why not add an election on to the list of "things we are dealing with," in our local economy? Election transition always brings changes that impact our economy, but that is especially magnified when there is change at the top of the ticket.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we have our quarterly chat with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management. We'll discuss the potential economics of a second Trump Presidency, which includes a comparison to the normal influences when a Republican is in the White House. We'll also discuss impacts on tax policy along with some end of 2024 tax strategies that you may want to consider as the year comes to a close.

In addition, we discuss upcoming grant deadlines, including a new grant from Lowe's Hardware.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show

Welcome back!! Thanks for staying tuned to Mind Your Business during this time of hurricane recovery. We are excited to be back on our regular recording schedule.

On this week's episode, we will provide updates on the timeline for disaster recovery dollars that are being allocated to our region from Federal and State resources. We'll also provide an update on the application process for the Chamber Foundation's Business Resiliency Disaster Grant program.

Our guests on this week's show include a collection of FEMA team members based here in Watauga County. We'll hear about an upcoming deadline for the Individual Assistance Program, as well as answers to some frequently asked questions about the application process.

Mind Your Business is produced when we don't have natural disasters by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show