Weekly Village Update 8.13.20

 

Chamber News State of the Town Tonight! State of the Town Thursday, August 13th Tune in to hear about this year's successes, current challenges and the future of our village. Updates from the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, Town of Blowing Rock and Blowing Rock TDA. Watch Live Here Great American Outdoors Act The Senate and the House passed the Great American Outdoors Act and President Trump signed it. This bill provides permanent funding for The Land and Water Conservation Fund and funding for our National Parks. The link provides information for National Parks and lists their priorities. It is a large file and may take 2-3 minutes to load. If you scroll down to The Blue Ridge Parkway (page 39), you will find statistics about the park, infrastructure needs, and funding needed. This bill is a big deal for our National Parks and the funding should be available October 1, 2020. The Blowing Rock Chamber has been advocating for this funding for 6 years. Both of our US Senators and our Congresswoman Foxx voted for this bill.   https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/589145f1-b816-483f-983f-676296f8f8a1/original The Small Business Center offers a wide variety of FREE workshops to help your small business succeed. Register online today!   AUGUST 8/3 - Making Quality Video For Your Small Business 8/4 - How to Start a Business 8/18 - Developing a Business Plan 8/20 - Selling Online Today 8/25 - Basics of Bookkeeping   SEPTEMBER 9/1 - Build Your Business Influence with LinkedIn 9/2 - Basics of Capturing Visuals for Your Business 9/10 - How to Find Your Customers Using Social Media 9/10 - Funding Your Business 9/15 - Finding Customers for Your Business 9/21 - Google My Business 9/28 - Using Facebook and Instagram 9/30 - Grant Writing: What the Pros Know   OCTOBER 10/1 - How to Start a Business 10/2 - Creativity in Multimedia & Commercial Video 10/5 - Using Video and YouTube 10/8 - Basics of Bookkeeping 10/12 - Public Relations and Influencer Marketing 10/29 - Maximizing the Value of Your Business SBA and Department of Treasury Have Released New PPP Forgiveness FAQs SBA and Department of the Treasury released new FAQs today. These FAQs fall into the following categories: General Loan Forgiveness FAQs Loan Forgiveness Payroll Costs FAQs Includes Information on Owner Compensation  Loan Forgiveness Nonpayroll Costs FAQs Loan Forgiveness Reductions FAQs This 10-page document will answer many questions posed by small businesses regarding PPP loan forgiveness.  See the FAQs here.  There Is Still Time to Apply for a PPP Loan   Unless Congress extends the date, Saturday, August 8, 2020, is the final day for PPP loans to be approved by SBA. If you are interested in a PPP loan and haven't yet applied, consider applying today. These loans will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 60% of the forgiven amount must be used for payroll). Please note that forgiveness will be reduced by any EIDL advance.  Find out more about Paycheck Protection Program.  To submit your news to our weekly newsletter, email Suzy@BlowingRock.com by Wednesday. Our newsletter reaches over 1,000 member contacts each Thursday! Upcoming Activities & Meetings State of the Town - Tonight! Blowing Rock Farmers Market - Weekly on Thursday Art in the Park - August 15th Concerts in the Park - August 16th Holiday Inn Express Re-Opening - August 19th Soft Opening at the Famous Toastery - August 22nd & 23rd Member News Holiday Inn Express in Blowing Rock Grand Reopening Wednesday, August 19th at Noon Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce teams up with the Boone Area Chamber for a virtual tour and ribbon cutting of the newly renovated space at the Holiday Inn Express in Blowing Rock. Join us in celebrating this beautiful space! Concerts in the Park & A Simple Gesture Sunday, August 16th 4-6pm Memorial Park Face Masks & Lawn Chairs suggested The August 16th Concerts in the Park will be a drop-off location for A Simple Gesture bags. Consider bringing non-perishable food items with you to donate to the Hunger & Health Co. Bring a donation and be entered to win a gift basket of local items courtesy of Alair Homes. The online auction is available for preview and can be accessed by visiting www.hosphouse.org/auction or https://hosphouse.betterworld.org/auctions/hope-luncheon 'Hope Survives' Online Auction to Benefit Hospitality House Bidding begins August 14 on nearly 225 items, valued at over $65,000 As previously announced, Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina is moving forward with its largest annual fundraiser in a virtual way on August 20. However, the online auction portion of the event will begin August 14 at 12 p.m. This theme for this year’s event, “Hope Survives,” speaks directly to the challenges and obstacles facing the homeless, hungry and impoverished individuals and families that rely on the programs and services of Hospitality House. The wine social and silent auction had become a much looked-forward-to staple of the annual Hope Luncheon in years past. This year, the silent auction transforms to an online auction that will be open for a full week beginning Thursday August 14 at 12:00 p.m. and run through Thursday August 20 at 12:00 p.m. BRAHM Plein Air Festival The Blowing Rock Plein Air Festival is a four-day plein air painting event. It takes place August 19 - 22, 2020. Its aim is to bring painters together from around the world to paint outside in the fresh air while getting to know each other and sharing their work. The event prompts applicants to explore the unique Blowing Rock architecture, spectacular Blue Ridge Mountain views, and overall Appalachian feel of one of the most scenic areas in the country. Autumn Times - Coming Soon! The most popular and comprehensive tourist guides in the High Country! The 2020 Autumn Times is coming soon! Shine a spotlight on your business to all three counties of the High Country this Fall! Call or Email Mark Mitchell today at 828-278-3633 or mark.mitchell@mountaintimes.com. Real estate activity hits record highs in July Local REALTORS® sold more than 360 homes in July, a 72 percent increase over July 2019, and recorded a 15-year high for listings sold within a month by members of the High Country Association of REALTORS®. Prices were strong, with the region’s median sold price for the month also at a 15-year high. That’s according to the High Country Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which contains information on all REALTOR transactions dating back to 2005. The intense housing demand dropped inventory to its lowest level recorded in several years. Going into August, fewer than 900 homes were for sale in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. Rumple Presbyterian Prayer Walk Prayer Walk Monday, August 17th at Rumple Presbyterian Praise and Gratitude, Lament and Healing, Peace and Hope, Children, Prayer Request For more information call Rumple at (828) 295-7675 We'd love to see you! The Chamber Team is glad to see our businesses re-opening! Email Regina to let us know you're open and we will stop by for a socially distance visit. Berkshire Hathaway | Vincent Properties Sign Unveiling SkyLine SkyBest Fiber Internet in Blowing Rock Ribbon Cutting Ribbon Cutting for Diamond Properties Renovations! Lunch at Foggy Rock, Yum! 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!