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Government

Key to the City: Boone Town Council Recognizes Trenton D’Agostino for His Success at the Special Olympics World Winter Games

April 25, 2025 During the April 23, 2025 Boone Town Council meeting, the Boone Town Council unanimously approved a resolution to award a “Key to the City” to Special Olympian, Trenton D’Agostino. D’Agostino was also given a plaque that detailed the Town Council’s appreciation for his achievements. An accomplished athlete, D’Agostino won two gold medals, one in the intermediate giant slalom snowboarding competition and another in the intermediate super G in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. As a Watauga County native, and as a graduate of Hardin Park Elementary School and Watauga High School, the Boone Town Council wanted to recognize these achievements with a tangible reminder of how proud D’Agostino’s community is of his journey.

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Construction on Howard Street Set to Begin the Week of April 21 at the South Depot

April 18, 2025 On April 14, 2025, the Town of Boone hosted the official groundbreaking for the Howard Street Revitalization project. Due to the upcoming Easterholiday, official construction for this project will begin the week of April 21, 2025. The first construction phase for the Howard Street Revitalization project will occur at the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection to replace underground infrastructure, a required start for this project. All roads leading to the South Depot Street/Howard Street intersection will be closed at the intersection. No vehicular traffic is permitted to access this intersection until this phase of the construction is complete.

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Town of Boone 1872 Award Nominations Open Until May 1st

April 11, 2025 The Town of Boone is now accepting nominations for the third annual Town of Boone 1872 Award, created to recognize individuals and organizations who have made meaningful contributions to the town in ways that go beyond traditional proclamations. The 1872 Award honors living individuals and active organizations that have made substantial, positive impacts on the Boone community. Nominees do not need to be residents of Boone to be eligible. The deadline to submit nominations is May 1, 2025.

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Town of Boone Announces the Launch of “Branding Boone” – Two Public Input Sessions to be Held April 14th and 15th

April 10, 2025 The Town of Boone is excited to announce the launch of “Branding Boone”, an initiative to update and refresh the Town’s government brand and identity. Made possible through a grant awarded by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, this project will include a new logo, updated branding guidelines, messaging, and more. Boone wouldn’t be Boone without its residents, and the Town warmly invites all residents to participate in the first round of community engagement for this project. Civicbrand, the consulting firm chosen for this project, will be facilitating this project alongside staff from the Town of Boone.

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1400 People Filled the Sidewalk of King Street in Boone on Saturday for a Planned March by INDIVISIBLE Watauga Against Trump’s Agenda

April 7, 2025 Over 1400 people showed up for a planned protest march on Saturday in Downtown Boone that was organized locally by INDIVISIBLE Watauga, whose founder is Peter Nesbitt. The event was part of a peaceful, nationwide mobilization planned for April 5th. The theme of the march was “Hands Off.” The Boone march started behind the Turchin Center for Visual Arts and proceeded down the King Street sidewalk to an area beside the courthouse, about a half a mile away. The march started at 2:00 and and at one point marchers filled the sidewalk continuously for that whole half a mile. Marchers were encourage to bring signs to hold up during the march, and that they did. 

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Reimagining Howard Street: A Major Downtown Boone Transformation Begins

April 3, 2025 A transformative project is coming to life in the heart of Downtown Boone. Beginning this April, the long-anticipated Howard Street Revitalization Project will reshape one of Boone’s most beloved corridors into a safer, more walkable, and bike-friendly destination—designed with the future in mind. “This project is about more than street improvements—it’s about strengthening our community and investing in a downtown that works for everyone,” said Mayor Tim Futrelle, Mayor of the Town of Boone.

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THE WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED APRIL 15, HAS BEEN CANCELED

April 3, 2025 THE WATAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS’ REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULED ON TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2025, HAS BEEN CANCELED.  THEREFORE, THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025, AT 5:30 P.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS’ BOARD ROOM LOCATED IN THE WATAUGA COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT 814 WEST KING STREET, BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA. FOR INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL THE COUNTY MANAGER’S OFFICE AT (828) 265-8000.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation & Mountain BizWorks Announce Funding Partnership For Business Disaster Grant Program

March 27, 2025 On Friday, March 21 2025, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation closed the application window for its 3rd round of Hope for the High Country Business Resiliency Disaster Grants. Over 140 businesses from Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties applied for funding during a three-week application period. “The volume of applications speaks to the need for continued support for small businesses across western North Carolina,” saidDavid Jackson, President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. “These applications address issues with physical damage, lost revenue, and the costs of reopening spring and summer focused businesses that have been closed since the storm, among other things.”

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NC Budget & Tax Center Releases 2025 NC County Economic Snapshots 

March 24, 2025 RALEIGH – On March 20 the NC Budget & Tax Center (BTC) published our Economic County Snapshots for 2025. Released each year, these snapshots provide at-a-glance information on a variety of economic and social indicators for every county in North Carolina, along with comparisons to state-level data. Data is available is multiple formats for ease of use, including interactive charts and maps that allow for quick comparisons across counties, one-page documents with complete information for each county, and the option to download all data in a single file. 

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Downtown Boone Development Association to Host Advanced Destination Workshop with Jon Schallert on Tuesday, March 25

March 18, 2025 The Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA) is excited to welcome nationally recognized business expert Jon Schallert for an Advanced Destination Workshop on Tuesday, March 25 at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. This opportunity is made possible through the NC Main Street Program, utilizing an economic development grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, which continues to support the growth and success of downtown Boone and its local businesses. Schallert, a leading expert in destination marketing, will provide in-depth training for downtown businesses that is focused on helping businesses transform into consumer destinations.

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High Country Communities Unite to Support Small Business Recovery

March 14, 2025 The Watauga County Commissioners, Beech Mountain Town Council, Blowing Rock Town Council, and Boone Town Council have each passed resolutions advocating for continued financial and technical assistance for small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. This collective action sends a strong message about the importance of supporting the long-term recovery of our region’s business community. By formally appealing to the United States Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly, these local governments have taken an important step in ensuring that businesses have access to the resources they need to rebuild and thrive.

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Town of Boone Notices

March 14, 2025 If anyone wishes to have an agenda item considered by the Boone Town Council at one of their upcoming regular meetings scheduled for Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and Wednesday, April 23, 2025, it must be submitted to the Town Clerk by Friday, March 28, 2025, at 5 p.m. AND The Town of Boone is currently soliciting applications from people who would like to serve on the following boards

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Community Health Report Released for Watauga County from AppHealthCare

March 10, 2025 “AppHealthCare, in collaboration with various agencies and community partners, has released the Community Health Assessment for Watauga County. This report highlights community-identified public health priorities and provides a foundation for work that will take place in the following years. The Community Health Assessment report is published every four years in partnership with the Watauga Compassionate Community Initiative, Appalachian District Board of Health and AppHealthCare, including many other partnerships, individuals and agencies. The Community Health Assessment report follows a data-gathering and evaluation process involving the community to identify and analyze community health needs and assets. After completion, partners collaborate to strategically address the key health priorities and then implement the plan to address the unmet needs.

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Regional Community Centers Recognized at WNC Honors Awards

March 6, 2025 The WNC Honors Awards, a program of WNC Communities, is built on a 75-year tradition of recognizing rural community development clubs for their innovative ideas and grassroots solutions. These centers and clubs are the backbone of community cohesion running through our beloved mountains. The culmination of this year’s WNC Honors Program occurred virtually on February 27th with community leaders and volunteers from 15 Western North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These 73 communities received a total of $106,500 in cash awards.

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Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation Accepting Applications for Third Round of Business Resiliency Disaster Grants

February 27, 2025 After awarding grants to over 160 businesses in its previous funding rounds, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation has reopened applications for its Hope for the High Country: Hurricane Helene Business Resiliency Disaster Grants. This program is available to disaster impacted small businesses in Watauga, Ashe, and Avery Counties. Grant applications will be accepted through Friday, March 21st, at 12:00PM. Previous applicants and recipients may apply, but priority will be given to those businesses that have yet to receive funding through earlier rounds. To apply, please visit www.boonechamber.com/foundation.

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Public Service Announcement: Town of Boone New Agenda and Minutes Software and Updated Public Participation Guidelines

February 26, 2025 The Town of Boone is currently in the process of updating its agenda and minutes software to ensure that the best delivery of public meeting information is obtained. During this transition, new agendas and minutes for Town Council meetings can be found at www.townofboone.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=1, effective immediately. Past agendas and minutes and current Town of Boone board meeting agendas and minutes are in the process of being transferred and transitioned to the new software. However, for the time being, the public may access past agendas and minutes and current agendas and minutes for Town of Boone boards at www.boonenc.iqm2.com/Citizens/default.aspx.

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Avery County to Host Public Input Sessions on National Opioid Settlement Funding

February 26, 2025 Avery County invites all residents to attend public input sessions on Thursday, February 27, 2025, to discuss how more than $3.2 million in funding from the National Opioid Settlements will be used to support prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts in the community. These sessions will take place at the Avery County Community Center (661 Vale Rd., Newland, NC) and will be held at two different times to accommodate as many community members as possible: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

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Former FEMA Head Brock Long and Heat Policy Expert Ashley Ward to Speak at App State Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 12:30 p.m

February 21, 2025 Students, faculty, staff and the community are invited to attend a forum featuring former FEMA head Brock Long and heat policy expert Ashley Ward. The event takes place Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 12:30 p.m. in Room 420 (Parkway Ballroom) of the Plemmons Student Union at Appalachian State University. This event is free of charge and open to the public. The forum, part of App State’s Pathways to Resilience initiative, will explore how communities can build resilience for extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Helene, as they continue to occur with more intensity and frequency around the world.

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Town Council Retreat, Green Hill Communications Pole and Blowing Rock Academy. A Conversation with Blowing Rock Town Manager, Shane Fox

February 12, 2025. TThe Blowing Rock Town Council retreat took place January 29-31, 2025. High Country Press sat down with Blowing Rock Town Manager Shane Fox to hear his perspective on the retreat along with updates on a variety of other topics. This year’s Town Council retreat was similar to other retreats in recent years – a lot of sitting and listening to presentations about needs in Blowing Rock with recommendations from staff about how to address those needs and what they may cost. According to Fox, this retreat was particularly productive in that the Council was able to separate the long list of needs and challenges into two clear focus areas. By Sam Garrett

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Waterway and Private Property Debris Removal in NCDOT Right-of-Way Will End March 2nd

February 7, 2025. In preparation to move to Waterway and Private Property Debris Removal programs, Watauga County’s NCDOT Right-of-Way debris removal will end March 2nd, 2025.  At that time, citizens will no longer be allowed to dump storm debris (vegetative or construction/demolition) into the NCDOT Right-of-Way as that was a special waiver of local and State ordinances for storm related debris disposal. Individuals placing debris into the NCDOT Right-of-Way after March 2nd may be subject to applicable State and local ordinances. Watauga County understands there may be remedial vegetation and C&D debris remaining after March 2nd and the County will work with vendors to pick up any remaining debris. The Watauga County Transfer Station continues to accept vegetation and construction materials as part of their normal operations and fee schedule. Please send any remaining right-of-way debris concerns to Helene.Debris@watgov.org and those will be addressed by the County’s debris removal contractor.

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Green Park Inn Rezoning is Unanimously Approved by Planning Board and Goes to Town Council

January 29, 2025. The Blowing Rock Planning Board met on January 16, 2025 to discuss and vote on John Winkler’s request for a conditional rezoning of the Green Park Inn property. Board members heard presentations from town staff, Winkler’s legal counsel Chelsea Garrett and John Winkler. The meeting also included time for questions and answers and public comment. The Planning Board voted to approve the conditional rezoning request. If Blowing Rock Town Council approves it, the rezoning would allow Winkler to move forward with plans to remove sections of the property that were built in the 1920s and 1950s, renovate and save the original 1890s Green Park structure, add condominiums that face the golf course and construct cottages on what is now the south parking lot. By Sam Garrett`

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Regional Homeless Point-in-Time Count is January 29 for Annual Documentation of the Extent of Homelessness in the High Country

January 21, 2025. Wednesday, January 29, 2025, marks the annual homeless Point-in-Time Count. The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, coordinated by the Northwest N.C. Continuum of Care (CoC), is the annual documentation of the extent of homelessness in the High Country region, which includes Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties. The information from the PIT Count provides valuable insight into the extent of homelessness in the region and informs support service providers on the priorities to prevent and end homelessness. Point-in-Time data is important as it provides an approximate scope of homelessness in the seven-county region and helps eligible agencies in the Northwest N.C. CoC apply for funding to work towards ending homelessness.

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Winkler Hosts Blowing Rock Community Listening Session at the Green Park Inn

January 15, 2025. John Winkler, joined by two business partners, an engineer and an architect, held a listening session at the Green Park Inn on January 9. Winkler’s attorney Chelsea Garrett facilitated the conversation. Winkler intended the event as an opportunity to review construction and renovation plans along with the rezoning process that is required to update and add to the current Green Park Inn. He reminded attendees several times that no decisions would be made that evening since the event was not an official town event. Winkler initially expected to meet with 20-30 community members in the front lobby of the Green Park. As five o’clock drew near, more people arrived and the gathering was eventually moved to the Chestnut Grill dining area to accommodate over 100 attendees. By Sam Garrett `

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Watauga Economic Development Commission Opens December 2024 Business Snapshot Survey; Submit by January 10th

January 7, 2025. As tracking of real-time conditions for local businesses recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene continues, the Watauga County Economic Development Commission has opened its reporting window for its December 2024 Business Snapshot Report. Businesses are encouraged to fill out survey data by using the link below. The survey is open from Thursday, January 2nd at 12:00PM – Friday, January 10th at 4:30PM. The establishment of these monthly reports provides data on the state of business in Watauga County, with a focus on current concerns, performance toward revenue expectations, and ability to meet staffing needs among its core analysis.

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Town of Boone Awarded Grant for Northern Peaks State Trail and Rivers House Park

January 7, 2025. The Town of Boone was recently awarded $54,932 from the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), through the North Carolina Department of Parks and Recreation to fund the southern terminus of the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST) in downtown Boone. In addition to the RTP award, the Town of Boone and the Downtown Boone Development Association are providing matching funds of $7,689 each, with Blue Ridge Conservancy providing professional trail design. The trail will be constructed at the Rivers House Park at 130 Clay House Drive in downtown Boone, on 13 acres donated to the town by Rachel Rivers-Coffey. Laney Wise, Grants Coordinator/Communications for the Town of Boone: “The Rivers House property just got a whole lot cooler! With this grant and the Accessible Parks Grant the Town of Boone received earlier this year to install ADA-accessible restrooms in the detached garage of the Rivers House, this property is coming to life.

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