• Village Foundation Meeting, March 9 @ 4 pm
• Foothills Conservancy Meeting, BRAHM, March 9 @ 4pm-6pm
• Celebrate Blowing Rock, March 12 @ 5pm-7pm
• Business After Hours , BRAHM, March 21
• Ribbon Cutting The Speckled Trout Outfitters, March 24 @ 4pm

WATAUGA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

HOLDS FIRST MEETING WITH NEW MEMBERS

Pete Gherini elected board Chair and Lee Rankin voted Vice Chair

BOONE, NC – The Watauga Economic Development Commission (EDC) met Thursday, February 9, 2023, for its first meeting since the Watauga County Board of Commissioners re-organized the group. 

Click Here to read more.

Upcoming Webinar: Child Care is Critical for WNC's Economy 

Date: Friday, February 17, 2023 • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM 

The WNC Early Childhood Coalition is hosting a webinar on critical child care funding needs in western NC. WNC state & local policy makers and business leaders are invited to hear from WNC parents, early education teachers, and child care experts about the significant economic impact Child Care Stabilization Grants have made on WNC’s economy over the past few years. 

Join this webinar to learn how western leaders can support regional child care availability and the economy as the Child Care Stabilization Grants come to an end. Together, we can promote the policies and investments needed to avoid a loss in child care availability and set the foundation for future growth. 

Register now and join us on Friday, February 17, 10:30 – 11:30am via Zoom. Once you are registered, you will receive a confirmation email with Zoom login details. 

The WNC Early Childhood Coalition is a coalition of early childhood-focused organizations working to improve access to and quality of Early Childhood Care and Education programming in western NC. Coalition membership includes organizational representation from 18 western counties and is staffed by Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County. 

NEWS YOU CAN USE!

Click Here to see the High Country Association of Realtors January Report!

Watauga Stake Our Claim Community Survey

We are seeking your input on a new branding initiative to help create a unifying identity for Watauga County, and to "Stake Our Claim" in this region.

This effort is intended to communicate the unique qualities of Watauga County – So if you love living here, tell us why. Click Here to take survey!

BRPA Executive Director Job Listing



The Blue Ridge Parkway Association (BRPA) is seeking a highly-motivated part-time Executive Director to carry on the work of this non-profit organization, established in 1949 that promotes and markets the Blue Ridge Parkway to potential visitors. Residency of candidate within the Blue Ridge Parkway region is preferred and regular travel within the region is required. Includes remote work and virtual meetings.

Candidates for this position should possess excellent relationship-building skills and a passion for selling all things BRPA to our various audiences, and in particular to potential new members.

Candidate should have proven management and supervisory skills, demonstrated ability to assume initiative without direct supervision, and demonstrated ability to work effectively with staff, Board of Directors, membership, general public, media, community leaders and government officials. Part time hours will be 20-25 per week with flexibility as needed. This contract position is open until filled.

Job Types: Part-time, Contract

Salary: $38,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: On the road

Keep an eye on your inbox for our new

MEMBER HAPPENINGS newsletter.

Every Tuesday we will let you know what our

members are up to.

US Senator

\Ted Budd

ted.budd.gov

NC Senator

Ralph Hise

Ralph.Hise@ncleg.net