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Village Foundation of Blowing Rock Board Approves Grants, Laurel Lane Groundbreaking

Jim Pitts, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman and Economic Development Committee Chair, John Aldridge of The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock & J.B. Lawrence, Mayor of Blowing Rock participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Laurel Lane improvement project.

At its March 23, 2017 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Village Foundation of Blowing Rock approved three Grant Requests submitted in the first quarter of 2017.

The first Grant approved will provide funding for Phase One of the Laurel Lane Beautification Project. This phase consists of the re-landscaping of the Laurel Lane median pursuant to a design by Bob Olberg and approved by the Town Council in February. Contacts have been let and work will begin in early April. Fundraising is continuing for the other phases of the Project and work will begin as funds are available.

This is a 3 phase project that represents a public/private partnership between The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock, The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, and The Town of Blowing Rock. Yesterday was the start of phase 1, kicked off with a ceremonial groundbreaking. (See more photos of event below.) 

“We are still fundraising for phase 2 which will include rock walls, LED up-lighting, benches, pavers and historic markers.  The new space will serve as a place for public art and a history walk. If anyone would like to help us reach our fundraising goals to complete this project, please visit our website at http://villagefoundationofbr.org,”  said John Aldridge of the Village Foundation.

The second Grant approved will provide support to the 2017 Leadership Challenge program for young leaders in Blowing Rock. This leadership development program, which is run by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, has been offered to young leaders in our area since 2007.

The third Grant approved will provide funding, jointly with the Town of Blowing Rock and the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce, to bring to Blowing Rock, Hillary Greenberg of Greenberg Development Services , to speak on “attracting New Businesses to Resort Communities”.

The Village foundation of Blowing Rock is a 501c3, North Carolina non-profit corporation dedicated to economic development and business education in Blowing Rock. For more information regarding the Foundation, go to www.VillageFoundationofBR.org. To invest in Blowing Rock by making a tax deductible donation, contact the Foundation by email at VillageFoundation@blowingrock.com.

Jim Pitts, Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman and Economic Development Committee Chair, John Aldridge of The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock & J.B. Lawrence, Mayor of Blowing Rock participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Laurel Lane improvement project.
Blowing Rock Chamber Executive Director Charles Hardin speaks about the Laurel Lane project onsite in downtown Blowing Rock.
Blowing Rock Chamber Executive Director Charles Hardin