#WNCOpenforBusiness week rolls continues throughout Western North Carolina, and this intentional effort to bring people to the region got quite the boost from the State's First Family.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we recap North Carolina First Lady Anna Stein's visit to Watauga and Ashe counties on Monday, June 2nd, which included the canoe trip seen 'round the world!

How does the intentionality of choosing to eat at a local restaurant impact those working to provide your meal and experience? We'll get that answer from Tina Houston, along with details about her latest project that is bringing fresh food back to Valle Crucis!

Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Catch the show each Thursday morning at 9AM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.

Support the show

As schools around the region wrap-up their end-of-year testing, perhaps it's only fair for the adults to have some math reintroduced into their lives!

On this week's Mind Your Business, we provide the latest update from Jones Street, where members of the NC General Assembly are simultaneously considering Part II of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 (Helene Recovery) while also gearing up to move the biennium budget through the conference process. How do Helene relief dollars play into budget plans? We will give our very best attempt at an answer that does not require a TI-81.

We'll also provide some highlights from Vision Northwest North Carolina, including the full set of remarks from Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, as she shared her vision for a Future Ready North Carolina.

Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Catch the show each Thursday morning at 9AM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.

Support the show

This week's Mind Your Business leads off with an important update regarding the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Summer and fall travelers love a good festival as much as local residents enjoy the influence and entertainment the arts bring to the High Country. Mark Freed, Director of Cultural Resources for the Town of Boone, previews Boonerang 2025, and provides an update on how Howard Street construction will be handled during the four-day downtown festival.

Festivals and events don't happen without the hard work of the gig economy and arts industry. Both non-profit and for-profit arts sector accounts for $47 million annually in Watauga County, including $2.1 million in generated tax revenue. Amber Bateman, Executive Director of the Watauga Arts Council shares the importance of the 2025 summer and fall seasons for an industry that lost enormous revenue and market opportunity post Hurricane Helene. She'll also share how the Watauga Arts Council works to support the industry while working to inspire the next generation of artists and makers.

Mind Your Business is written and produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. This podcast is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

Catch the show each Thursday morning at 9AM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.

Support the show