By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — A quick update on town and TDA projects, as well as a progress report on the Middle Fork Greenway highlighted the May 20 meeting of Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Council.
The meeting was hosted by Blue Ridge Conservancy and began with a presentation by Dr. Scott Elliott, the retired Watauga County Superintendent of Schools now serving as Blue Ridge Conservancy’s Director of Development. Elliott summarized some of the recent land acquisitions of Blue Ridge Conservancy and reported on the importance of protecting public access to recreational lands to economic development in a tourism-driven region like the High Country.
Blowing Rock Town Manager Shane Fox summarized the progress of the town’s infrastructure projects focused on water and sewer services, including the replacement of lines in the downtown area, work on the aging water and sewer plants, and the Mayview sewer pump station.
Fox also provided an update on the Memorial Park renovation project, explaining that the bids came out higher than expected so the town council has some decisions to make. He stated that while the town has been awarded a $500,000 PARTF grant from the state and it has an expiration date, it is not always fiscally responsible to spend an extra $2 million that is unbudgeted to use a half million dollar grant.
Wendy Patoprsty provided an update to the Middle Fork Greenway, stating the National Park Service is in a late stage for determining a route for the MGA through the Blue Ridge Parkway properties. She divided the Blowing Rock portion of the Greenway into A, B and C sections, with the Parkway representing the middle “B” portion. She indicated that A and C are all set and fully funded with work scheduled to begin on those and that “B”, once approval is gained from the National Park Service, will connect the other two sections.
EDC member and the sub-committee Community Development chair, Jim Pitts reported that the Chamber is reviewing the pre-COVID initiative to produce a “Living the Blowing Rock Dream” video; that the next meeting of the group exploring recreational development for the U.S. 321 Corridor between Boone and Blowing Rock is June 7, lunch, at Vidalia Restaurant in Boone; and outlined master plan thoughts on the Legion Hill/Annie Cannon Gardens/Glen Burney Trail projects.
Business Development and Entrepreneurship chair Ben Powell discussed the challenges of the young professionals organization, provided an update on efforts to work with Blowing Rock School, and reported that discussions are on-going with Skyline/Skybest, AT&T and other Internet providers for expanding high speed Internet to business and residential areas in Blowing Rock. He said that fiber optic infrastructure all the way to the home is ideal.
Charles Hardin provided information on various business-related property vacancies in and around the town limits. He concluded the meeting by soliciting EDC members to “take point” on three primary initiatives:
- Working with the owners of Shoppes on the Parkway to explore redevelopment of the property as a mixed use, retail/residential community
- Work with Liberty Healthcare on development of a residential retirement community component adjacent to and around The Foley Center
- Re-activate thoughts for development of a North Carolina Wine and Culinary Center
