This episode can't be any more "chamber," if it tried!

On this week's Mind Your Business, we focus on some key timing around open enrollment for health insurance. Wayne Randall, Director of the Boone Center for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina will go over dates and details. This is helpful information for employers to share with employees who don't qualify for family coverage through an employer plan, or if you don't offer health insurance to employees.

We also bring a new feature into this week's episode, focused on updates on community projects and Chamber advocacy positions.

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.

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Everyone else is going back to school -- maybe you should too!

The Watauga Leadership Institute presents Encore, its latest professional development program aimed at helping people continue their journey in leadership. While this class may not keep you in school all day, or present an avenue to enjoy that tasty square pizza, it will provide leadership topics in a digestible 90-minute format that is geared toward continuing your education.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Dr. Jim Street, owner of Ridgeline Leadership and curriculum coordinator for the Chamber's Watauga Leadership Institute. He'd discuss the premise behind Encore, who the course is designed to reach, while also elaborating on the value of continuing education for aspiring leaders.

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

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Election season is fast approaching, and more conversation about election process and integrity has become part of our daily lives than ever before.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Matt Snyder, Director of the Watauga County Board of Elections. He will provide details on the voting process for Watauga County Commissioner in the 2024 election, along with the specifics of a ballot referendum that could have an impact on future commissioner elections. We'll also discuss a special Open House that will be held in Boone August 21st, hosted by the NC Network for Fair, Safe, and Secure elections.

As a reminder, the Boone Area and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce will host our annual Meet the Candidates Forum on Monday, September 16th, beginning at 5:30PM at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone.

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

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Yesterday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that the federal funds rate will hold steady -- for now. Is a long-anticipated change to interest rates on the horizon? If so, what does that mean for us here in Northwest North Carolina?

On this week's Mind Your Business, we bring you are most timely quarterly check-in with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management. On the heels of the Fed announcement, what are the impacts on our day-to-day business and personal financial lives. We are also less than 100 days from the 2024 election, and we'll discuss the potential impacts of November's aftermath on the financial outlook moving toward 2025.

This week we also provide the latest update on the Town of Boone's recent Downtown Parking Brainstorming sessions, including future timelines for more public discussion.

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

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Been out and about this summer and feel a little detached from the goings on of Boone and the High Country?  

On this week's Mind Your Business, get updates on community conversations focused on parking and childcare. Plus, get the scoop on upcoming Chamber events like the Meet the Candidates Forum and Spirit of Boone. We will also share information about Encore, a new offering from the Watauga Leadership Institute. Tune in for all the details!

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.
 

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Access to healthcare is one of the most important topics people consider when moving to a new area. We have been fortunate to see heathcare evolve in a positive way here in the mountains of northwest North Carolina, with new practices bringing service enhancements to our area that benefit all ages and health conditions.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we highlight Wonder Pelvic Therapy & Wellness, which opened their doors in October 2023, bringing a new service to the High Country that is prevalent in other parts of the country. We'll get the details on the practice from co-owners Erin Wonder and Tiffany Weitzen, along with an in-depth explanation into the emergence and health benefits of pelvic floor therapy. We'll also discuss how this practice is furthering the conversation about women's heathcare needs and access here in the High Country.

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. 

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BONUS CONTENT ALERT!! The North Carolina General Assembly is in recess and we have a few short updates about what has transpired in Raleigh over the past few weeks and months.

The main focus of this bonus installment of Mind Your Business centers around Early Childhood Education, and action taken by the NC House and Senate to extend compensation grants, or stabilization grants, to the end of the calendar year. This action saved a MAJOR disruption in early childhood services across the State, while also buying time for more conversation as the budget process continues.

Halee Hartley, Owner of Kid Cove here in Watauga County, is part of a team of early childhood advocates that has spent a good deal of time in Raleigh working on this important issue. She updates us on what happened, what it means, and how we can be involved in what comes next as early childhood education remains top of mind with NC legislators.

Mind Your Business is a weekly (and sometimes daily) production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Our show is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Bills discussed on the show:

NC Senate Joint Resolution 916(adjournment)
NC Senate Bill 912 (Watauga County Board of Education Districts)
NC Senate Bill 357 (adjustments to current appropriations -- compensation grants)

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The Round-Up for the Greenway is an annual community-wide fundraiser partnering with local Watauga County businesses to help fund the continued construction of the Middle Fork Greenway, a project of the Blue Ridge Conservancy.

During the month of July, businesses ask their customers to Round Up to the nearest dollar. Last year, 56 local businesses, plus hundreds of individual community donations, raised a total of $252,576. These funds were matched by state grants for the construction of Boone Gorge Park, which is slated to begin later this year. Once developed, Watauga County will own and maintain this park along the Middle Fork Greenway.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we'll get an update on current trail development from Wendy Patoprsty, Middle Fork Greenway Director, and hear about the specific projects this year's Round Up will help fund.

** SPECIAL ANNOUNCMENT** Stay tuned to the end of the episode for details on how businesses that do not have a high volume of daily transactions or retail traffic can join forces with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation to donate to this year's Round Up!

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

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Call this the Town of Boone episode of Mind Your Business, as the bulk of the program is dedicated to the Boone Next project, a revisioning of the Town's Comprehensive Development plan. This week we hear from Jane Shook, Director of Planning & Inspections, and Jessica Mitchell, Advanced Planning Specialist, with the Town of Boone. They update the timeline on this important project, what types of information has been gathered thus far, and how the community can continue to lend their voice to this effort.

We are also coming off Boonerang 3.0, with well over 10,000 visitors fresh off an experience that combines nostalgia with arts and entertainment. We'll hear some updates on the weekend that was and share next year's dates!

We also have some information to share regarding parking on the App State campus and in and around the Downtown Community, again, with details on how the community can stay engaged in this important conversation.

Mind Your Business is produced each week by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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Summer tourism season is in full swing in the High Country! Yes, there may be extra traffic, but in a community that's built on volume, the summer dollars mean our favorite local businesses can afford to operate year-around.

On this week's episode of Mind Your Business we examine the impact of the tourism economy on our local community. How do tourism partners work together to create "experiences." How do tourism dollars benefit our community all year long? What are the impacts of the summer season on the local workforce? We answer these questions through the perspectives and experiences of three guests:

Wright Tilley, Executive Director, Explore Boone
Steve Moize, Operations Director, Sky Valley Zip Tours & Mountain Cat Offroad Adventures
Tara Brossa, General Manager of the Courtyard by Marriott of Boone & Hampton Inn & Suites of Boone.

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