NC Business Grant Program

 

The Business Recovery Grant Program will issue a one-time payment to an eligible North Carolina business that experienced a significant economic loss due to COVID-19. The application period closes January 31, 2022.  Two types of grants will be available to an eligible business that suffered an economic loss of at least 20 percent during the pandemic: A hospitality grant will be available to an eligible arts, entertainment, and recreation business, as well as eligible accommodation and food service business such as a hotel, restaurant, and bar (NAICS codes 71 and 72). A reimbursement grant will be available to an eligible business not classified in NAICS Code 71 and 72 that did not receive funding from other relief programs including Paycheck Protection Program, COVID-19 Job Retention Grant, and EIDL Advance. APPLY HERE

Weekly Village Update 12.16.21

 

Chamber News Upcoming Meetings & Events Chamber Office /Visitors Center will be closed December 24th & 25th App Ski NYE Extravaganza - December 31st Blowing Rock WinterFest Blowing Rock WinterFest is January 27-30th, 2022! If you're business is interested in participating, please reach out to Suzy Barker at Suzy@BlowingRock.com. For a list of events visit www.blowingrockwinterfest.com Blowing Rock Visitors Guide & Directory Coming soon... the 2022-2023 Blowing Rock Visitors Guide & Directory! Secure your ad space in Blowing Rock's #1 most requested publication. Circulation: 20,000 Click here for advertising information or contact Cathy@BlowingRock.com 6th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Breakfast The 6th Annual High Country Economic Kickoff Breakfast is scheduled for Thursday, January 20th, from 7:30am-9:45am in the Grandview Ballroom of Appalachian State University.   The event is co-hosted by the Boone Area Chamber and Blowing Rock Chambers of Commerce and is presented by Peak Insurance Group.   Additional event support comes from Skyline National Bank, Allen Wealth Management, and Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.   Dr. Harry Davis, longtime Appalachian State Walker College of Business faculty member and member of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, will deliver his 2022 High Country Economic Forecast. Dr. Davis is a regionally renowned economist and serves as both Dean and Instructor for the North Carolina School of Banking.    Christopher Chung, President/CEO of The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, will provide remarks that detail 2022 for EDPNC, while also outlining current economic development trends in rural areas of North Carolina.    During the presentation, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce will reveal the recipients for the 2021 Watauga County Business of the Year Awards, presented by the Watauga County EDC. Business of the Year winners will be recognized in three categories: Large Business, Small Business, and Startup Business.   Doors open at 7:30am for an excellent opportunity to network with event attendees from across the High Country. A buffet-style breakfast will be served prior to the presentation.  Purchase Tickets Here. How They Voted The NC Chamber is pleased to share with you, our valued members, the 2021 edition of our How They Voted report. This annual voting record identifies the key legislation we supported or opposed during the 2021 session of the North Carolina General Assembly and grades the performance of state legislators when given the chance to stand up for job creators on these priorities.  Town of Blowing Rock Board Applications Are you interested in the future of your community and have extra time to volunteer? Would you like to serve on one of Blowing Rock’s municipal boards?   The Blowing Rock Town Council will soon consider appointments to the Planning Board, the Board of Adjustment, the Tourism Development Authority, the Alcohol Beverage Control Board and the Blowing Rock Appearance Advisory Commission. Each of these boards has an essential role in preserving and protecting the quality and character of our community. Learn more here. Restaurant Hours With unpredictable staffing and abrupt changes in travel patterns due to covid-19, restaurant hours have been changing often. The Chamber of Commerce is currently maintaining a listing of Blowing Rock restaurant hours. The hours are updated weekly. Bookmark this page for reference so you can help your guests and customers when they are looking for dining!  Restaurant Hours List Watauga Covid-19 Update  In areas with substantial and high transmission, the CDC recommends that everyone (including fully vaccinated individuals) wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of the Delta variant, and to protect others. Watauga County is considered an area of High transmission. AppHealthCare offers COVID-19 testing by drive-thru Monday through Friday 8:30-10:00am at each of our clinic locations. No appointment is needed. Read the full weekly Watauga County Covid-19 Update here. Member News Welcome New Members! Residential Member – Welcome Frank Irizarry Frank and his wife Aline are Blowing Rock residents by way of New York City and South Florida. Retired lifelong Banker, Frank is currently employed by the Office of Disaster Assistance/U.S. Small Business Administration. irazmia@bellsouth.net Residential Members – Welcome Paul & Candice Horton The Horton’s are residents of Yonahlossee and are very active in the Blowing Rock Community through the Rotary Club and various recreational activities. paulwhorton@gmail.com Caitlyn Brooke Aesthetics – Welcome Caitlyn Johnston Located in the HB House in Boone, Caitlyn Brooke Aesthetics’ mission is to bring out confidence in all by promoting a local, VIP spa experience. With skin, lash, brow, and wax specialists, manifest your beauty goals into reality with their qualified team. To ensure they can provide the best experience and results, all services are by appointment only. Caitlyn@caitlynbrookeaesthetics.com           828-244-9720 Hill House Blowing Rock – Kris & Doug Testori Previously Residential Members, Kris & Doug have opened an amazing VRBO in Blowing Rock and are now open for business. Hill House is located less than a block from Main Street and has been completely remodeled in 2021. www.blowingrockhillhouse.com                           910-520-3300 Tech Strategy Leaders – Greg Berkin Finding the right technology vendor for your business can be a daunting experience. Our 50+ years of combined experience successfully managing IT departments and technologies has exposed them to every type of situation imaginable. They are cybersecurity experts. Tech Strategy Leaders has a proven cybersecurity strategy to protect your business. Their team helps organizations with their technologies and processes ranging from strategic to operational for small, medium, and large corporations spanning the globe. www.techstrategyleaders.com                             704-269-8125 Give the Gift of Westglow Give the gift of Westglow spa! Purchase a gift certificate for a loved one for a quick and easy present. View offer online here. Watauga County Parks and Recreation hosts second annual “Food for Friends” drive For the second year, Watauga County Parks and Recreation will host its “Food for Friends” drive. Watauga County residents are invited to make donations of non-perishable food items at the Watauga Community Recreation Center between December 13 and February 11 to benefit Hospitality House, Hunger and Health Coalition and Casting Bread. According to Stephen Poulos, director of Watauga County Parks and Recreation, “Last year the community gave around $1,250 and over 1,875 pounds of food. We are excited to see how the community responds this year.” Wanderlust Picnics Wanderlust Picnics is for the travelers, the wanderers and the originals. Whether you are close by or looking for an escape, we want to help you enjoy the place we call home. We are locally owned and operated out of Blowing Rock, North Carolina. We would love to show you the majestic experience of the high country whether you are looking to relax, enjoy the company of others or celebrating a special moment. Annual Run for Haiti It is that time of year again! Please join me in our Annual Virtual Run for Lory, Milot Haiti. You can sign up or make a donation anytime in the next month. To learn more about our work in Haiti follow us on Facebook and Instagram Immeasurably More Haiti or visit our website Proceeds from this virtual run go directly to The Village Farmstand Project in Lory, Milot Haiti. Last year's race helped us secure a parcel of land and install a temporary fence around the property. Our goal for this year will be to begin construction on the project. The Village Farmstand is a sustainable farming project in the Haitian village of Lory, Milot. The project is a collaboration between Immeasurably More Haiti Founder, Whitney Brown, and the Mompoint Family of Lory, Milot. This project will provide a village farmstand, clean water house, and greenhouses for education on soilless agriculture for the Haitian village of Lory, Milot. Immeasurably More Haiti is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable futures for families in Haiti. Race registrations and donations are 100% tax deductible. Immeasurably More Haiti EIN 84-454600 Mast General Store Sale December 8th - 22nd The weather outside may not be too frightful, but looking ahead to spring is still very delightful - especially when you can save an extra 50% OFF already marked-down prices on spring and summer goods! The Little Red Schoolhouse behind the Original Mast Store in Valle Crucis is filled with short-sleeved shirts, shorts, dresses, outdoor goods, and some footwear at bargain prices that will make even Scrooge smile. Stop in to pick up a few items for yourself or gifts for your warm-weather friends. The Little Red Schoolhouse is open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. If you happen to stop in on another day, just ask and we'll be happy to open the doors for you. 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 2021 Chamber Partners!