Weekly Village Update 6.11.20

Chamber News

The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center is open!

We have re-opened our doors to the public! We appreciate everyone's patience with our team as we have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. Some changes have been made to allow our team to remain safe and productive. Our hours of operation are 9am -5pm, Monday thru Friday, with a daily break from 12pm-1pm. The Visitors Center is open on Saturdays from 9am -5pm. As you enter the visitors center we ask that use the hand sanitizer provided and remain socially distant from others. The Board Room isn't open for member use just yet, but we can't wait to have you back soon! We look forward to seeing you all again soon! The Chamber Team

Count On Me NC  “Count on Me NC” initiative the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA), along with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS), the North Carolina Tourism Bureau (VisitNC), and the North Carolina State University, just launched.  “Count on Me NC” is a program specifically created to provide customers reassurance that participating restaurants and businesses, including lodging, have implemented and are practicing the highest sanitation and safety measures. Training and certification are free. For more information, please visit: countonme.org For a list of Blowing Rock businesses who have already completed the training, visit https://countonmenc.org/participating-businesses/#business-list and input Blowing Rock in the "Search by City" field. Email Regina to have the "Count On Me NC" logo displayed next to your business name on blowingrock.com.

Blowing Rock Job Opportunities Facebook Page Are you hiring? Share your employment opportunities on the Chamber Facebook Group: Blowing Rock Job Opportunities The Blowing Rock Job Opportunities Facebook group is designed to help Blowing Rock Chamber Business Members recruit employees. This group is open to the public and will be monitored by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce.

Rock United Relief Fund Video This video shares the story of the Rock United Relief Fund and how our community came together to support our businesses! This video is brought to you by the Blowing Rock Civic Association. Watch video here.

Re- Energize Watauga Fund The Re-energize Watauga Fund aims to provide a rapid source of assistance for Watauga County-based businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19. This fund is in partnership with the Watauga County EDC and will administered by Mountain BizWorks. Learn more about the fund and how to apply here.

CCC&TI & SBC - REBOOT. RECOVER. REBUILD The NC Small Business Center Network has received funding to provide Professional Service Grants to connect local small businesses with marketing, accounting, and legal professionals to counsel businesses. The funds are available from the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act designed to aid businesses in navigating the current economic climate. Our campaign theme “Reboot. Recover. Rebuild.” is exactly the intent of the grants to help businesses rebuild from COVID-19.   Examples of counseling assistance include:        COVID-19 business guidance and planning Strategies for business operations CPA & legal support Marketing planning Business resilience strategies Financial/bookkeeping planning Loan package preparation

Business Resources You can find business resources and COVID-19 safety guidelines on the Blowing Rock Chamber website under "COVID-19 Toolbox."

PPP Loan Forgiveness: A Step-By-Step Video Explanation   Last week, the U.S. Chamber released a new video which provides a step-by-step explanation of the Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness process. In the video, U.S. Chamber executive vice president and chief policy officer Neil Bradley walks you through the essential steps of the loan forgiveness process, including calculations and repayment terms. We hope that the guidance shared in this video serves as a helpful tool for you and your members, and will continue to update the resource as new information becomes available

Upcoming Activities & Meetings

Blowing Rock Farmers Market - TODAY Art in the Park - June 13th has been cancelled Concerts in the Park - June 14th Ribbon Cutting - High Country Wood Works - June 18th Heritage Day at Bolick & Traditions Pottery - June 27th

Member News

Tweetsie General Store Sale! Save up to 50% off select Tweetsie Railroad merchandise at the Old General Store on Saturday, June 13 & 20, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The only areas that will be open during this time are the General Store and Cowboy Cantina for take-out. Visit www.tweetsie.com/park-updates for more information.

App Summer: From Our Home to Yours Festival organizers for Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts event, An Appalachian Summer Festival, announce the complete programming calendar for this summer’s revised virtual series. The online festival features a month-long selection of livestreamed and specially pre-recorded concerts, live chats with artists, film screenings, and virtual tours. The pivot from in-person to online was created in response to the coronavirus pandemic, which forced the cancellation of live events for the first time in festival history. App Summer, which typically draws more than 27,000 visitors to the High Country each summer, will present its 36th season of special programming daily July 1-31. All events are free and will be streamed via the website as well as the festival’s YouTube and Facebook channels. Film screenings require pre-registration, as registration capacity is limited. Some events will be archived for later viewing; others are only available for the scheduled date and time. Full descriptions about each event and how to access them are available at www.appsummeronline.org.

Spectrum Reach Partner Program Partner Program Match (50% value match of June and July spending) • Creative expertise and support (Kernel offer and free Waymark spot) • Thought leadership in uncertain times (local account executives/local Spectrum Reach support team, webinars, and Rebuild microsite) • Ad technology expertise and support (AudienceTrak, Ads Everywhere, Advanced Advertising, and Ad Portal) • Additional helpful savings on Advanced Advertising solutions as needed Download Partner Program Fly

We'd love to see you!

The Chamber Team is glad to see our businesses re-opening! Email Regina to let us know your open and we will stop by for a socially distance visit.

First Citizen's Bank has opened their lobby for customers! The Blowing Rock Farmers Market is from 3-6pm today on Park Ave! Visit the market for bread, produce, flowers and goat cheese.

More events and updates can be found on our online calendar. To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday!

Thank you to our 2020 Chamber Partners!