Weekly Village Update 5.14.20

Chamber and Community News

The NC Department of Health and Human Services is asking people to remember these three things as we stay strong and continue to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19. If you leave home, practice your Ws: Wear, Wait, Wash Wear a cloth face covering if you will be with other people  Wait 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer. All North Carolinians are encouraged to share this message in their businesses and through their organizations to protect our families and neighbors as the state takes a cautious step forward while the virus is still circulating. Flyers Know Your Ws (English, Spanish, Combined English and Spanish) Wear (English, Spanish, Combined English and Spanish) Wait (English, Spanish, Combined English and Spanish) Wash (English, Spanish, Combined English and Spanish) Know Your Ws/Stop if You Have Symptoms (English - Color, Black & White; Spanish - Color, Black & White) Know Your Ws/Stay Strong (English - Color, Black & White; Spanish - Color, Black & White) Social Media Toolkit

Reopening and Other Industry Specific Business Resources Financial Support for Small Businesses Information for small businesses about loans and other financial assistance available from state sources. Unemployment Insurance for Employers Resources for employers dealing with unemployment, including guidance, requirements for closing facilities or conducting mass layoffs. IT & Cybersecurity Resources Resources and assistance from trusted state vendors, free and affordable internet service offerings as well as cybersecurity tips for teleworking, video conferencing and avoiding phishing scams. More Business Resources Find out about supply chain, essential business designation and more from the Department of Commerce.  Public Health Guidance for Businesses Information about best practices on keeping employees healthy, teleworking security, scheduling and communicating with employees. Information for Restaurants Food handling guidance, operations and other resources for restaurants. Information for Agriculture Industry Resources for farmers and farmworkers as well as food safety guidelines, frequently asked questions and other information. Contact the Agriculture Assistance Hotline at 866-747-9823 Information for Child Care Centers Guidance for child care centers and employees, as well as resources for child care access for essential workers. Click Here for More information on BlowingRock.com

COVID-19 Updates and Other Resources Governor's Office Updates Gov. Cooper issued Executive Order 139, which provides additional regulatory flexibility to help ensure capacity in the state’s health care system and improve its ability to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. North Carolina is working with local manufacturers to shift their production to make critical medical supplies. The state’s Task Force for Emergency Repurposing of Manufacturing has partnered with the N.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Carolina Textile District and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina to identify and collaborate with manufacturers statewide who are able to pivot their operations to produce critical personal protective equipment. As of Monday, May 11, 9,115 patients are presumed to be recovered from COVID-19, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 Dashboard. Learn how this total is calculated in this summary. Since May 8, teams delivered personal protective equipment to 52 counties and four healthcare coalitions. Shipments included masks, gloves, face shields, goggles, hair and shoe covers, as well as a few gowns. Additionally, the N.C. National Guard has helped distribute more than 870,000 meals for food banks and more than 97,000 meals for schools.  Webinars 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.  And for restaurants and lodging, the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association has provided this website, free of a paywall, for those actively working to manage employee and guest wellness. It includes relevant news updates, tutorials, and more.  National Small Business Town Hall Series In partnership with Inc. Magazine and Comcast, CO— is hosting weekly virtual townhalls to help small business owners and sole proprietors navigate financial aid and support programs and answer common questions. Register to attend the next virtual town hall. Workshop Wednesdays CO— is hosting a weekly webinar series to help small businesses learn skills and new approaches to keep business going. Each week will feature a different, highly relevant topic and top experts. Register for the next webinar.  Supply Chain and PPE Supplies 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. Custom Made Sneeze Guards Locally Made by Frye's Sign Company Contact Gayle Frye at Frye's Sign Company: 828-758-9586 Available Relief Funds and Grants Restaurant Worker Relief Fund Facebook is committing to supporting 10,000 U.S. small businesses with a $40 million fund. The fund is available in 34 locations. Google is offering $340 million in advertising grants for small- and medium-size businesses, a credit that will be added automatically to Google Ads accounts. GoFundMe has partnered with Intuit QuickBooks, Yelp, GoDaddy, and Bill.com to give small businesses a $500 grant if they raise at least $500 on GoFundMe. In partnership with Verizon, the digital fundraising and advocacy platform Hello Alice is offering emergency grants of up to $10,000 for companies impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The application period ends on July 16. Salesforce is offering $10,000 grants for businesses with between two and 50 employees, annual revenue between $250 thousand and $2 million, and have been in business for at least two years as of March, among other requirements. Verizon and other partners have allocated funds to the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to distribute via grants to small businesses. Applications open again May 14. FedEx is committing to providing $1 million in grants for small businesses in the U.S.  Click Here for More Resources on the BR Chamber Site

Property Owners Traveling to Watauga County: Self-Quarantine Upon Arrival - until June 5 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 Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. These additional measures are intended to reduce the exposure to the entire community. Please call 828-295-5200 with any questions about this order. For health-related questions, please call AppHealth at 828-264-4995.  Blowing Rock Council to consider separate action on COVID-19 restrictions

App Regional Health System 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. Visit their website for more information.

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  828-262-9105. Consider giving some of your extra time, supplies, food and funds to the following organizations: Hunger and Health Coalition Community Care Clinic Hospitality House of NW NC Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S. Casting Bread Ministries ARHS is accepting donations of personal protective equipment including:  Medical grade surgical and procedure masks N95 respirator masks Face Shields Gloves Gowns Hand sanitizer Homemade cloth face coverings 

Rock United Relief Fund Tops $100,000 The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock recently announced that the Rock United Relief Fund has exceeded $107,094 in donations and that it has received and reviewed 44 grant requests from small businesses in Blowing Rock. The specially formed Grants Review Committee (Tim Hilton, chair, Charlie Sellers, J B Lawrence, Carol Dabbs and Tim Gupton) has approved, to date, grant requests totaling $97,250.  Tim Hilton, speaking for the Grants Review Committee, stated that “this process has been both a humbling experience and a true joy to be able to help so many local businesses”.

Blowing Rock Farmers Market Season Starts May 21st!  The Blowing Rock Farmers Market returns Thursday, May 21st from 3p-6pm on Park Ave. The Farmers Market will be every Thursday till September 24th. The Blowing Rock Farmers Market will include familiar vendors including Summer Fresh Flower Farm, Trebuchet Hill, Blue Goat Dairy, as well as new vendors this year, BFR Beef and B & L Farms Produce. Visit the Blowing Rock Farmers Market Facebook page to stay up-to-date!

Town of Blowing Rock  The Town announced they will  open therestrooms in Memorial Park with limited hours beginning this weekend. The public restrooms at BRAHM and Davant Field will remain closed until further notice. The Town Council will have a special meeting on Thursday, May 21st at 3:00 pm to discuss and consider possible actions on COVID-19 restrictions.

Member News

Event Cancellations and Updates Please let us know if you are forced to cancel or alter your events. Art in the Park - May 23 show Cancelled Concert in the Park - May 24 Cancelled Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Cancelled Singing on the Mountain Cancelled Blowing Rock Horse Show - Saddlebred Cancelled An Appalachian Summer Festival - Live Events Cancelled Joe Shannon's Mountain Home Music 2020 Season Cancelled Lees-McRae Summer Theater Cancelled A Day out with Thomas at Tweetsie - Cancelled Horn in the West - 2020 Season Cancelled Blowing Rock Tour of Homes - Cancelled Sculpture Walk at Chetola - Cancelled

Attraction and Retail Reopening

The Town of Blowing Rock plans to make public restrooms at Memorial Park available this weekend for downtown visitors. The restrooms will be cleaned and stocked several times each day they are open, starting on Saturday. For a list of retail re-opening visit blowingrock.com/covid-19-information Grandfather Mountain - May 15th, limited capacity Mystery Hill - May 15th The Blowing Rock Attraction - May 20th

BRP Reopening May 15 Milepost 292-296.5 near Blowing Rock, including Moses Cone Parking Area and Hwy 221 Bass Lake Parking Lot Milepost 298.6-308 through Grandfather Mountain area, including Rough Ridge and Linn Cove Viaduct Milepost 316.4 Linville Falls Spur Road, including parking at Linville Falls trailheads When out in the park please remember the following to ensure a safe visit: Park only in designated areas. Pack out everything you bring into the park. Plan a visit at times other than busiest of the day. Maintain a minimum distance of 6 ft from other visitors. If you encounter a crowded trail-head or overlook, go elsewhere.

Reid's Cafe offering Take-Out Reid's Cafe Is offering this Curbside Service Thursday - Saturday 11am - 2pm by texting or calling 828.457.5338. Click here to see the menu and for more information.

Blowing Rock Businesses in the News Spectrum News - Featuring neacoand Sunset Tees and Hattery  AAA - 3 Reasons to Head to Blowing Rock When We Can Travel Again High Country Press - Featuring Almost Rodeo Drive and Monkee's

Six Pence Pub Six Pence Pub will reopen for curbside and takeout Friday May 15th! Call ahead to order - 828-295-3155

Home sales slow during month of stay-at-home  While overall sales are down, prices are up. The median sold price for homes sold in April was $234,500. In April 2019 it was $227,000. Through April the median sold price for the year was $235,000. This time last year it was $227,000.

Chef & Somm Check out this week's take out menu on the Chef & Somm website. Click "Shop Now" to order online for Thursday through Saturday or call 828.414.9989

Storie Street Grill Storie Street Grille is back! They will be open Wednesday - Saturday 11:30am - 8pm. Take-out window or curbside available. They have family style meals, a new fresh menu with online ordering coming soon!

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!