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…

During its scheduled meeting Tuesday, October 3, the Watauga County Board of Commissioners granted approval for the Watauga Economic Development Commission to conduct a comprehensive study and analysis of childcare in the county. The study will be conducted by Dancy Research, a North Carolina-based economic development research firm, who recently c…

The financial world moves fast and it's important to keep a close eye on national issues that can have a direct impact on the High Country economy. On this week's Mind Your Business, we host our quarterly conversation with Jonathan Allen of Allen Wealth Management and Allen Tax. We'll get an overview of the economic picture, complete with discussio…

Boone Town Council incumbent candidate Dalton George visits with Boone Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO David Jackson in advance of the 2023 Town of Boone municipal election. Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored …

Boone Town Council incumbent candidate Edie Tugman visits with Boone Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO David Jackson in advance of the 2023 Town of Boone municipal election. Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in…

Boone Town Council candidate Eric Plaag visits with Boone Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO David Jackson in advance of the 2023 Town of Boone municipal election. Mind your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible each week by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate and sponsored in part by UN…

Listen as Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Director of Events Carrie Henderson and Mary Sheryl Horine, of Girls on the Run of the High Country, discuss the upcoming Watauga Women in Leadership Gala on Wakin' Up in the High Country with Mark Norris on October 11, 2023. Support the showโดย David Jackson

Since the late 1990s, RaysWeather.com has provided local and reliable weather forecasts and data for High Country residents and guests. Five-golf ball days, snowman-o-meters, and fearless forecasts have become part of our local vocabulary, while benefiting from a weather forecast that is generated for the High Country, by a Boone-based small busine…

Tis the season for health care open enrollment! For individuals, it's an important time to make adjustments based on life and health changes. For employers that don't offer health care as a benefit, this is important information to pass along to your employees so they can get any necessary changes made for coming year. On this week's Mind Your Busi…

On Friday, September 22nd, the North Carolina General Assembly have final approval to NC House Bill 529, the Current Operations Act of 2023. More commonly referred to as the 2023-25 NC State budget, this document includes a number of well publicized spending priorities, like raises for State employees and educators, early childhood development, and…

Family Weekend is here and the App State Mountaineers will be hosting East Carolina at The Rock Saturday as one of many highlighted activities in and around the High Country. Speaking of family, it was a family connection that brings one of Downtown Boone’s newest businesses to King Street. On this week’s Mind Your Business, we will hear the story …

The 2023 fall semester is officially underway at Appalachian State University. As students and faculty settle into their routines, it's a great time to catch up on new details that come to light each time a new semester begins. On this episode of Mind Your Business, Associate Vice Chancellor & Chief Communications Officer Megan Hayes talks about th…

Health food is the key to a healthy life. Studies show that the leading risk factor for chronic diseases is poor nutrition. Two local businesses are teaming up to bring fresh, local foods to those that are looking to improve their diets and combat medical conditions. On this week's Mind Your Business, we learn more about the Food is Medicine Progra…

Business ownership does not come with an easy to understand manual. How an entrepreneur organizes themselves at the beginning of their business life has an overwhelming impact on how successful the organization will become. Lucas Underwood was a skilled diesel mechanic without much background as a business owner during the early years of L&N Perfor…

The 11th annual Back 2 School Festival is coming up Saturday, August 12th, benefiting school-aged children and families in Watauga County. On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with members of the Back 2 School Festival organizing team to get the latest details on this year's event, including distribution schedule, details on shoes and haircu…