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

Real Estate activity traffic has been brisk in the High Country in 2021, and will be one of the storylines we remember about the year as we soon turn the calendar to 2022.

While residential real estate sales have grabbed most of the headlines, commercial sales and leasing traffic has also been steady, and provides a snapshot into the health of our overall economic picture.

On this week's installment of the Mind Your Business podcast, Appalachian Commercial Real Estate President/Founder, James Milner, will discuss some of the commercial real estate trends from 2021, and how this data set can help us plan for future economic development opportunities.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio. 

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Recruiting and retaining quality employees has never been more important. While some small businesses are not in position to offer a full suite of health care benefits, it costs very little to a business to arm their employees with information about the latest affordable options on the market.

Due to COVID-related funding enhancements provided through programs such as the American Rescue Plan, access to and plans offered under the Affordable Care Act have changed over the last two years. The open enrollment period to access ACA plans has been extended to January 2022, meaning people are once again looking for answers as they navigate available plans and options before the deadline.

On December 8th, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce hosted ACA 101 on the Keep Boone Healthy Community Information Channel. Adrian Moore, Director of Sales for North Carolina with Friday Health Plans, provided some general ACA definitions and terminology, easy to understand details about how the subsidy thresholds have changed, and what the future holds for ACA funding after the COVID-relief money is processed.

This week's installment of Mind Your Business features an archive of that presentation, which is also available in visual form on the Keep Boone Healthy YouTube Channel. Employers can easily share this information with staff and make more informed decisions about health care coverage options moving forward.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio. 

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Conversations can lead to action, especially when people take the time to connect the dots.

Hear a inspirational story about how a Watauga Leadership Development panel discussion, featuring Yolanda Adams, urged Judy Current to start a conversation within LifeStore Bank about how to help an underserved population in our community, leading to the creation of the Progress Account.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

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Economic recovery remains on the minds of many throughout our community as we move toward the close of 2021. Will things be more predictable in 2022, or will we still be faced with an economic reality that will be tied directly to pandemic conditions in the communities and States within our region.

Tom Barkin, President/CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond visits the High Country this week to discuss economic recovery and to understand trends that are evolving in our area. Ahead of his visit, he joins us for this week's installment of Mind Your Business, to give us an idea of what trends the Federal Reserve Bank continues to monitor and what opportunities may lie ahead in the wake of this pandemic-impacted economy.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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Earlier this year, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce awarded its Ben Suttle Special Services award to the Boone Sunrise Rotary Club, in part due to their outreach and programmatic support of numerous community initiatives.

The club funds its community support through fundraising programs like it's 20th Annual Fruit Sale. Caroline Poteat, Boone Sunrise Rotary's Fundraising Chair, discusses this year's sale and outlines some of the planned support from this year's proceeds.

Mind Your Business is presented each week in partnership between Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

Support the show

The 2021 calendar is winding down and now is a perfect time to review your individual and business finances ahead of the end of the tax year.

On this episode of Mind Your Business, we visit with Jonathan Allen (Allen Wealth Management) and Cara White (Allen CPA) to discuss current national economic and tax trends and how they are impacting businesses and individuals in the High Country. We discuss the potential for action on interest rate adjustments and receive some helpful details about the child tax credit, and indicators you should pay attention to regarding both of these popular topics.

We also discuss the recent release of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Q3 Economic Indicators report and assess our area's overall economic health heading into the close of 2021.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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Get caught up on some important community and Chamber events on this week's installment of Mind Your Business, produced each week in partnership with Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and High Country Radio.

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The non-profit business community makes a significant impact on the High Country's economic landscape. These business spend the majority of their operating dollars locally on staff salaries and supplies while providing mission critical work for our community.

The High Country Breast Cancer Foundation provides unmatched support to local families dealing with the impacts of this dreaded disease. Founder/President/Survivor Irene Sawyer has successfully established a foundation where 100% of funds raised go directly to patient care and support.

On this week's Mind Your Business, Sawyer discusses the organization's current projects and fundraising efforts, which include the Decorate The Bra contest and upcoming Virtual 5k.

Mind Your Business is produced each week thanks to a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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Election season is upon us, and as residents inside Watauga County's municipalities prepare to go to the ballot box, we will give you the latest information about when and where to go to have your voice heard.

On this week's installment of Mind Your Business, Matthew Snyder, Director of the Watauga County Board of Elections, shares the schedule for early voting, election day precinct details, and how polls will operate in terms of pandemic safety. We also get an in-depth description on ballot safety, and how the Watauga County Board of Elections ensures the vote you cast is the vote that gets recorded.

Mind Your Business  is produced weekly thanks to a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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A year removed from shifting one of the High Country's signature experiences to a virtual format, the Valle Country Fair returns to its familiar setting with the sights, tastes, and smells that have made it both a tourism magnet and philanthropic engine for over four decades.

As we prepare for the fair's return Saturday, October 16th, event co-chairs John & Tracey Heiss, discuss the efforts to preserve the essential elements of this deeply-rooted community showcase, while also implementing new technologies and efficiencies that will enhance the customer experience. We'll also discuss how the proceeds of this event are used to fund various community programs through the awarding of grants.

Mind Your Business is presented weekly through a partnership between High Country Radio and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Support the show