The impact of funding for childcare across North Carolina has a ripple effect that is felt across nearly every business across the State. Locally, childcare centers are trying to meet the needs of families, and the local workforce, while funding challenges still impact day-to-day operations. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Elisha C…

This episode can't be any more "chamber," if it tried! On this week's Mind Your Business, we focus on some key timing around open enrollment for health insurance. Wayne Randall, Director of the Boone Center for Blue Cross & Blue Shield of North Carolina will go over dates and details. This is helpful information for employers to share with employee…

Everyone else is going back to school -- maybe you should too! The Watauga Leadership Institute presents Encore, its latest professional development program aimed at helping people continue their journey in leadership. While this class may not keep you in school all day, or present an avenue to enjoy that tasty square pizza, it will provide leaders…

Election season is fast approaching, and more conversation about election process and integrity has become part of our daily lives than ever before. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Matt Snyder, Director of the Watauga County Board of Elections. He will provide details on the voting process for Watauga County Commissioner in the 202…

Yesterday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced that the federal funds rate will hold steady -- for now. Is a long-anticipated change to interest rates on the horizon? If so, what does that mean for us here in Northwest North Carolina? On this week's Mind Your Business, we bring you are most timely quarterly check-in with Jonathan Allen of…

Been out and about this summer and feel a little detached from the goings on of Boone and the High Country? On this week's Mind Your Business, get updates on community conversations focused on parking and childcare. Plus, get the scoop on upcoming Chamber events like the Meet the Candidates Forum and Spirit of Boone. We will also share information …

Access to healthcare is one of the most important topics people consider when moving to a new area. We have been fortunate to see heathcare evolve in a positive way here in the mountains of northwest North Carolina, with new practices bringing service enhancements to our area that benefit all ages and health conditions. On this week's Mind Your Bus…

BONUS CONTENT ALERT!! The North Carolina General Assembly is in recess and we have a few short updates about what has transpired in Raleigh over the past few weeks and months. The main focus of this bonus installment of Mind Your Business centers around Early Childhood Education, and action taken by the NC House and Senate to extend compensation gr…

The Round-Up for the Greenway is an annual community-wide fundraiser partnering with local Watauga County businesses to help fund the continued construction of the Middle Fork Greenway, a project of the Blue Ridge Conservancy. During the month of July, businesses ask their customers to Round Up to the nearest dollar. Last year, 56 local businesses,…

Call this the Town of Boone episode of Mind Your Business, as the bulk of the program is dedicated to the Boone Next project, a revisioning of the Town's Comprehensive Development plan. This week we hear from Jane Shook, Director of Planning & Inspections, and Jessica Mitchell, Advanced Planning Specialist, with the Town of Boone. They update the t…

Summer tourism season is in full swing in the High Country! Yes, there may be extra traffic, but in a community that's built on volume, the summer dollars mean our favorite local businesses can afford to operate year-around. On this week's episode of Mind Your Business we examine the impact of the tourism economy on our local community. How do tour…

Integration of AI and emerging technology are on just about every channel, pretty much all the time! How do small businesses and their employees begin to use these tools to their advantage? What are the simplest ways to turn efficiency into effectivness when it comes to "learning new things," in the technology arena. We got to these questions and m…

There's a new bank in town! A few weeks ago, we celebrated the grand opening of the new full-service branch of New People's Bank in Boone. After operating a loan production office in the High Country for a few years, they have settled into their new location on Wilson Drive in the Winkler's Crossing shopping center! On this week's Mind Your Busines…

Spring has arrived in the High Country and that means festival season is here! Boonerang is back for year three, with new and expanded features that will bring thousands of festival enthusiasts to the streets of Downtown Boone, June 13-15, 2024. On this week's Mind Your Business we visit with Mark Freed, Director of Cultural Resources for the Town …

Ater several months of research and over 700 points of stakeholder engagement, the Watauga County Childcare Study is complete. On this week's Mind Your Business, we breakdown the numbers that relate to the key county demographics and trends that fuel the need for early childhood and afterschool care in Watauga County. We'll then get further context…

We are inching closer to the 8th annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards. This year's event takes place at the historic Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, Wednesday, April 24th, with a full red-carpet experience beginning at 5:30PM. You can read more about this year's event and our 16 honorees here. Before we recognize the 4 U…

The health and wellbeing of employees and their families is an essential part of a high-functioning business. The realities and experiences of life during the pandemic brought new focus toward how business owners can prioritize employee well-being, while also shining light on the available heathcare resources in our region. UNC Health Appalachian, …

Financial information comes at you from many directions and in many flavors in today's economy. What are the indicators and trends that speak best to the day-to-day realities of business and personal life in Watauga County? What trends should we pay attention to as it relates to the next big shift? Simply asked, "What's Going On with the Economy?" …

BONUS CONTENT!!! On this special episode of Mind Your Business, we visit with Matt Snyder, Director of the Watauga County Board of Elections about the upcoming 2024 Primary election. Hear specifics about early voting ahead of the March 5th election, polling site and voter ID information, changes to districts for the upcoming Watauga County Commissi…

Positive connections between communities make a region like the High Country stronger. Partnership on one project can lead to future dialogue about other collaborative opportunities. The more we work to connect our local towns, counties, and their governmental entities, the better the chance for businesses and individuals to find similar ways to wo…

The ability to access affordable childcare in Watauga County remains as much a part of the conversation around economic prosperity as accessing affordable housing. Even if you don't have a child that requires childcare, chances are you work with someone that does, and workforce reliability remains an important topic for all to consider. Also, from …

The residential real estate market is one of the most complex, and at times frustrating aspects of our local economy. The need for housing of all types and price points, for sale and rent, remains a pressing workforce challenge. Stacie Pineda of the Stacie Pineda Real Estate Group joins us on this week's Mind Your Business to answer the question: "…

As part of the 8th annual High Country Economic Kickoff Luncheon, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce was pleased to present the 2023 Watauga County Business of the Year awards. This ceremony was presented thanks to the support of Carolina Mountain Title. On this week's Mind Your Business, we revisit the podium speeches from each of our winners, whi…

It's been a fast and furious start to the year for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Between the High Country Economic Kickoff luncheon, the start of Watauga Leadership Institute, and participation in the first Boone Next community convening, our team has been in the middle of some important conversations. We also were excited to be a part of the…

The 2024 High Country Economic Kickoff is in the books. On this week's Mind Your Business, we feature the full remarks from Gary Salamido, President/CEO of the North Carolina Chamber. We also bring you the entirety of the 2024 High Country Economic Forecast from Dr. Harry Davis. Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of…

Tis the season for lists and goals...and lists of goals! The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce does not want to leave fans of the Mind Your Business Podcast disappointed, so we start a new season of our program with a list of the Top 5 storylines we are watching heading into 2024. Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Comm…

The Watauga Leadership Institute serves as the community leadership development arm of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Each year, participants enjoy a cohort-style program that helps them unlock leadership and fine tine leadership skills, while also helping them better understand the way the High Country community functions. On this week's Mind…

It always seems to be tourism season in the High Country! While the summer months may provide the right climate for people to enjoy the outdoors at a more comfortable temperature, the winter sports season provides a similar chance to focus on outdoor recreation, only this time with a jacket, bibs, and comfy socks. The North Carolina Ski Areas Assoc…

Blue Ridge Rising is an initiative of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the nonprofit fundraising partner for the Blue Ridge Parkway, to strengthen cross-jurisdictional relationships, foster economic development within the region’s gateway communities, and establish a unified regional voice. On December 5-6, 2023, the Blue Ridge Rising Two-State S…

North Carolina is expanding who can get Medicaid starting December 1, 2023. Who is eligible for coverage? What documents do you need to have to get registered? How will Medicaid expansion benefit the High Country healthcare landscape? We have assembled a group of community health care leaders from UNC Health Appalachian, High Country Community Heal…