The ability to access affordable childcare in Watauga County remains as much a part of the conversation around economic prosperity as accessing affordable housing. Even if you don't have a child that requires childcare, chances are you work with someone that does, and workforce reliability remains an important topic for all to consider. Also, from a workforce retention standpoint, employers that remain educated about the opportunities and challenges that staff members are facing when it comes to finding childcare are more likely to retain employees when they align resources and policies in ways that are supportive

On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Virginia Ford and Wes Berry of The Children's Council of Watauga County and Halee Hartley, Owner of Kid Cove, as we discuss the current State of Childcare in Watauga County, and how agencies, businesses, and local government are all working together to improve circumstances for children, their families, and the workforce that drives the industry.

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

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The residential real estate market is one of the most complex, and at times frustrating aspects of our local economy. The need for housing of all types and price points, for sale and rent, remains a pressing workforce challenge.

Stacie Pineda of the Stacie Pineda Real Estate Group joins us on this week's Mind Your Business to answer the question: "What's Up with Residential Real Estate." She'll discuss current inventory and it's impact on prices, how cash buyers and interest rates are influencing activity, and what advice she has for those selling or buying in today's market.

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

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As part of the 8th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce was pleased to present the 2023 Watauga County Business of the Year awards. This ceremony was presented thanks to the support of Carolina Mountain Title.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we revisit the podium speeches from each of our winners, which could possibly serve as motivation for those that are charting their own progress for 2024.

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

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It's been a fast and furious start to the year for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Between the High Country Economic Kickoff luncheon, the start of Watauga Leadership Institute, and participation in the first Boone Next community convening, our team has been in the middle of some important conversations.

We also were excited to be a part of the community-wide launch of STABLE Workplaces earlier this week, a multi-agency project designed to bring Staff Training and Leadership Development for Evolving workplaces.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we bring some important details on each of these projects, as well as provide a deeper dive on the STABLE workplaces initiative, including comments from business leaders like Lisa Cooper, CEO of Mast General Store, Angus Lamond, General Manager of Cheotla Resort, and Michelle Bollman, General Manager of Stick Boy Bread Co.

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

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The 2024 High Country Economic Kickoff is in the books.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we feature the full remarks from Gary Salamido, President/CEO of the North Carolina Chamber. We also bring you the entirety of the 2024 High Country Economic Forecast from Dr. Harry Davis.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. It is presented in partnership with Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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Tis the season for lists and goals...and lists of goals! The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce does not want to leave fans of the Mind Your Business Podcast disappointed, so we start a new season of our program with a list of the Top 5 storylines we are watching heading into 2024.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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The Watauga Leadership Institute serves as the community leadership development arm of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, participants enjoy a cohort-style program that helps them unlock leadership and fine tine leadership skills, while also helping them better understand the way the High Country community functions.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we hear from Duane Wade, Director of Operations at the Hampton Inn & Suites of Boone, and a Watauga Leadership Challenge graduate, about his experiences as a participant, and how his leadership style was impacted by the lessons he learned throughout the program.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by UNC Health Appalachian.

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It always seems to be tourism season in the High Country!

While the summer months may provide the right climate for people to enjoy the outdoors at a more comfortable temperature, the winter sports season provides a similar chance to focus on outdoor recreation, only this time with a jacket, bibs, and comfy socks.

The North Carolina Ski Areas Association recently released its latest Economic Value Analysis, which captures the 2022-23 season. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Kimberly Jochl, Vice President of Sugar Mountain Resort and President of the NC Ski Areas Association. We'll dive into the numbers that show the impact of the winter sports economy on the High Country's overall landscape. We'll also hear how the rise in participation during the COVID pandemic has brought along upgrades to infrastructure and technology that will support the industry for years to come.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and UNC Health Appalachian.

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Blue Ridge Rising is an initiative of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner for the Blue Ridge Parkway, to strengthen cross-jurisdictional relationships, foster economic development within the region’s gateway communities, and establish a unified regional voice.

On December 5-6, 2023, the Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit was held in Blowing Rock, bringing together key community members across the Parkway to further discuss how this important economic and recreational asset can be best utilized and preserved in the future.

On this week's Mind Your Business podcast, we get an overview of Blue Ridge Rising from Caroline Stahlschmidt, Senior Project Manager with Boone-based Destination by Design. We'll also hear about key take-aways from the summit, and what to expect moving forward with this important project.

Mind Your Business is produced each week by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and UNC Health Appalachian.

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North Carolina is expanding who can get Medicaid starting December 1, 2023. Who is eligible for coverage? What documents do you need to have to get registered? How will Medicaid expansion benefit the High Country healthcare landscape?

We have assembled a group of community health care leaders from UNC Health Appalachian, High Country Community Health, and AppHealthCare,  who will tackle these questions and many more on this week's Mind Your Business podcast.

Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by UNC Health Appalachian.

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