Chamber and Community News
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The Blowing Rock Visitors Center is closed to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. We would like to echo our friends at the Blowing Rock TDA and High Country Host and say #StayWell #VisitLater and #LoveBlowingRock
The Art in the Park show scheduled for May 23rd has been canceled due to restrictions put in place by the State of North Carolina to reduce to the spread of COVID-19. This is the first cancelation in 58 seasons of Art in the Park. The Chamber will make a decision month by month regarding the remaining Art in the Park shows based on guidelines from the state and local level. The next Art in the Park is scheduled for Saturday, June 13th.
#LoveBlowingRock
When posting on social media, remember to tag us and we encourage you to show your support for the town by using the hashtag #LoveBlowingRock
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The Chamber Team is vested in this community and is committed to supporting its member. To ensure our efforts and time are being deployed in the most effective way, we ask that you please take 5 minutes of your time to complete this survey. We need to know what keeps you up at night, so we can continue to offer resources and solutions.
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The Rock United Relief Fund has raised over $97,000 to date and already dispersed $40,00 back to our local Blowing Rock Businesses. But the mission is not over!
The deadline is today for Blowing Rock small businesses to apply for grants by completing and submitting Business Relief Grant Requests on the form found on LoveBlowingRock.com, or
Want to contribute? Visit the websites or email for more information about how to contribute to the fund, or visit the GoFundMe page.
Many thanks to all of those who have contributed!
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Property Owners Traveling to Watauga County:
Self-Quarantine Upon Arrival
DO - Stay in your home or on your property for 14 days
or 7 days after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.
DON’T – Go to the Grocery Store, Pharmacy, Post Office, ABC Store, Lowe’s, etc. during the 14 days or 7 days quarantine, whichever is longer
DO – Have a plan. Bring with you adequate food and medicine for up to 14 days
DON’T – Visit ANY public spaces during the 14 days
or 7-days timeframe, whichever is longer, including Town Parks and Green spaces
DO – Enjoy the outside at your residence, within your property
DO – Practice social distancing
DO – Wear protective masks when in public after the quarantine
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Covid-19 Updates and Resources
Governor's Office Updates
- The Hope4Healers Helpline (919-226-2002) is being expanded to support staff who work in North Carolina’s child care programs. Hope4Healers also is now equipped with 24/7 call line support. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services launched the helpline in April in partnership with the North Carolina Psychological Foundation to provide mental health and resilience supports for health care professionals, other staff who work in health care settings, first responders and their families who are all experiencing stress from being on the front lines of the state’s COVID-19 response.
- Carolina Community Tracing Collaborative, a new partnership with Community Care of North Carolina and the North Carolina Area Health Education Centers is part of Gov. Roy Cooper’s initiative to slowly lift restrictions by focusing on testing, tracing and trends. Through this collaborative, up to 250 additional local staff will be hired and trained initially to support contact tracing efforts with the potential to add more. Recruitment will start immediately; interested applicants should visit the collaborative’s website.
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded the list of symptoms that might be associated with COVID-19. In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, other symptoms might include chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell.
Reopening and Other Industry Specific Information
Visit North Carolina is producing regular free webinars that you can join or view at a convenient time. They also keep an updated list of business relief resources, advocacy partners, and more.
Find the Manufacturer or Supplier for your business needs at ManufacturedNC:
- This database of suppliers contains every kind of thing produced in NC. Whether you’re a manufacturer who wants to localize your supply chain or a business searching for packaging suppliers, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here.
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Your Contact in Western NC for the SBA is:
202.805.8947
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App Regional Health System
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If you suspect that you may have COVID-19, APHRS has arranged a safe, convenient, and cost-effective option for your screening, so that you can avoid unnecessary hospital or clinic visits. Start with a screening through a virtual physician visit for just $49.
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Donated Supplies, like N95 respirator masks, can be dropped-off at the front entrance of Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville or the security checkpoint at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.
If you have any questions, or to receive a gift receipt for your donation, please contact: Brian Whitfield at bwhitfield@apprhs.org or
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Consider giving some of your extra time, supplies, food and funds to the following organizations:
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National Travel and Tourism Week Celebrates “Spirit of Travel”
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Celebrated annually the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to underscore the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 37th NTTW (May 3-9) arrives at an opportune moment to unite the industry, celebrate its indomitable spirit and elevate the role it will play in America’s economic recovery.
Since in-person rallies and events that have been hallmarks of NTTW in years past are not an option this year, the High Country tourism community is engaging by encouraging local residents to support our tourism-oriented businesses. Locals can purchase gift cards for future canoe trips or fine dining for example, or learn more about local attractions through video tours.
Said High Country Host director, Candice Cook “There’s no doubt this has been an incredibly challenging time for tourism in our community, but we see National Travel and Tourism Week as an opportunity to remind our visitors and our residents of the incredible spirit and resiliency of the travel industry and our workforce. It’s only a matter of time before we all get moving again, and the High Country will be more ready than ever to welcome travelers with open arms.”
To learn more about ways you can support local travel and tourism businesses in celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week, visit highcountryhost.com/NTTW
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Blowing Rock Retailers Facebook Page
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Janet Calhoun of Bolick Traditions & Pottery started a Blowing Rock Retailer Facebook group. This group is designed for retailers to share product, sales and more with customers!
Join the page here and then share with your friends!
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To report potholes on other roads, contact the local public works department. For other issues or concerns about state-maintained roads, contact NCDOT or call 1-877-DOT-4YOU (1-800-368-4368).
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Event Cancellations and Updates
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Please let us know if you are forced to cancel or alter your events.
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Free Webinar on Marketing During COVID-19
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The Blowing Rocket/Mountain times will be conducting a free webinar for business owners on how to market during these challenging times. The webinar will be held on Tuesday, May 5 at 9am and 1pm.
Contact Mark Mitchel to RSVP
(828) 278-3633 (work)
(828) 406-1852 (cell)
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Over 1,000 Watauga Students Receive Free Art Kits from BRAHM & Kennedy-Herterich Foundation
Thanks to Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) and the generosity of the Kennedy-Herterich Foundation, students received a free art supply kit during their public school materials pick-up.
If you would like to join BRAHM and donors like the Kennedy-Herterich Foundation in supporting art outreach for area youth, please consider a donation to BRAHM by giving through BlowingRockMuseum.org/support or calling 828-295-9099.
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Women's Fund of the Blue Ridge Matching Pledge
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The Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge (WFBR) wants to show support to 11 area food banks. We are asking the community to help raise $3,500, in the next two weeks. If the goal is met, then WFBR will match the $3,500. If the $3,500 is exceeded, all additional funds will also be given to the food banks.
We encourage you to contribute what you can, before May 15th, to meet the WFBR’s matching grant. Visit www.womensfundoftheblueridge.orgto make a gift, or mail a check to WFBR, 895 State Farm Road – Suite 403-8, Boone, NC 28607.
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Sky Valley Zip Lines is offering the deepest discount of the year on all aerial park and zip line tickets including our best value Ultimate Adventure climb, zip, and swing package. No blackout dates means you can use your tickets when you want and your purchase never expires!
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Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday!
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Thank you to our 2020 Chamber Partners!
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