The Latest on the Blue Ridge Parkway Restoration Project

As we have discussed over the last several weeks, restoration work tied to the Great American Outdoors Act of 2021 has resumed along in the Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga County. This work will impact areas around Boone and Blowing Rock, though detour routes and staggard closures will ensure access to popular attractions like Cone Manor, the Linn Cove Viaduct, and Price Park throughout the duration of the work.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Leesa Brandon, External Affairs Specialist for the National Park Service. She will provide the latest project details, anticipated timelines, detour information, and plenty more. We encourage you to bookmark www.nps.gov/blri for the latest information on closures, detours, and timing on potential shifts in foucs within the repair areas. 

Also on this week's show, we begin our recap of the 10th annual 4 Under 40 Awards, which was held March 18th at the Appalachian Theatre. We'll unveil this year's Respect Your Elder Award winner, a long-time resident who is a motivator and business visionary.

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 afternoon at 5PM on WATA (1450AM & 96.5FM) in Boone.

Transcript

SPEAKER_04 0:01

The Blue Ridge Parkway, a tourism lifeline for our community and an important piece of our daily transportation network. We have the latest on repair work in the area and what comes next. From the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, this is Mind Your Business.

SPEAKER_03 0:19

Mind Your Business. Brought to you by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate, providing professional commercial real estate services. Visit Appalachian CRE.com.

SPEAKER_04 0:30

Hello and welcome into Mind Your Business. I'm David Jackson, President and CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Thanks for joining us once again this week, whether through the airwaves of WATA here in Boone, or as a subscriber of the podcast version of this program, which is made possible by our good friends at Appalachian Commercial Real Estate each and every week. If you are not yet a subscriber to this program, do it now. Great opportunity right at your fingertips. Just search Mind Your Business wherever you get your podcast. You can gain access to full archives, occasional bonus content, and extended episodes along with plenty more as we connect you with the business news that you can use from right here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Alright, so we started this week in the 60s. We will end this week in the 60s. And in between, well, boon and March. Locals know the drill. For you new folks, the only thing you can count on at this time of year is that you'll get a little bit of everything. Those types of weather conditions are fun to use in your social media musings, and they certainly garner attention from news outlets and onlookers from across the state. But our spring weather leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to keeping up with construction timelines. In fact, those that work in this area with regularity will tell you they plan for weather disruptions rather than appear surprised by them. The work must go on whenever it can because the timeline for a construction activity is very limited in our area. So a lot of the heavy lifting of outdoor work to be done in 2026 in our region is just really getting started. No place is that more evident than on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We've covered this topic a good bit on this program over the last few years and even last week, in fact. And spoiler alert, this will not be the last time you hear us talk about this community feature and its spring and summer schedule for repairs. A quick recap: The Blue Ridge Parkway is in the midst of a major resurfacing project that was authorized and funded through the Great American Outdoors Act back in 2021. That work started in Virginia, and in the summer of 2024 and again last year, work crept into North Carolina and saw numerous bridge projects and heavy road repair performed in Allegheny and Ash counties. Hurricane Helene then presented a complex and completely unrelated set of repair needs, and in some cases, rebuilding the road completely, not small work. As those hurricane repairs were completed, the Great American Outdoors Act work resumed and was parked in East Watauga County last summer, intentionally, to ensure as much of the parkway was open and accessible last fall to help the region's business community avoid missing a second leaf season. The idea last summer was to pause in the fall and resume work as soon as possible this spring. And that's exactly what is happening. As we told you last week, a section of the parkway from Parkway Elementary School to Bamboo Gap closed last Friday and will be milled and resurfaced over the next six to eight weeks, weather permitting, of course. As of today, we expect to see another large section of the parkway closed off to perform similar work around Blowing Rock, Cone Manor, Price Park. You know all of those popular spots. The good news is that while these necessary repairs are completed, access will remain to all of those features I just mentioned, and then some, using US 221 as the primary detour, and I'll call it support route. And visitors using said detour will have the opportunity to come directly into downtown Blowing Rock to make that route adjustment, which could serve as a shot in the arm during the post-ski season, pre-summer shoulder season. And that is a benefit to the small businesses that are still looking for solid ground post-Halene. Coming up on this week's Mind Your Business, we will visit with Lisa Brandon. She is an external affairs specialist with the National Park Service, who, among other things, keeps us up to date on these projects along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lisa will share the latest on project timelines, detour routes, and what type of repairs are being made, and what Halene repairs are still underway in our region. Most importantly, we'll get some details on when we can expect all of this work to be completed. Weather permitting, of course. We'll have those details in just a few minutes. In other news, the 10th annual 4 Under 40 Awards are officially in the rear view. We'll give you a quick hit on our category winners a bit later in the show, and we'll have a deeper opportunity to hear more about our honorees on next week's program. But this week, one of our favorite elements of the annual event is the unveiling of the Respect Your Elder Award, which is given to a community mentor and motivator. We'll introduce you to this year's honoree and tell you about her Boonerang experience. If it was even called that back in the early 1980s, that return to the area did spark the beginning of one of our most iconic community brands. So we are certainly glad she made the return trip. Lots of information this week and an opportunity to put a smile on your face as well. So come back after the break. We'll get right to it. You are listening to Mind Your Business.

SPEAKER_03 5:57

Mind Your Business, brought to you by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate, offering sales, leasing, consulting, and appraisal services. Visit Appalachian CRE.com.

SPEAKER_04 6:09

Welcome back to Mind Your Business. I'm David Jackson. Before we channel our inner Rand McNally as it relates to the Blue Ridge Parkway, let us first tell you about the perfect business to help you map out your next move down the road of commercial real estate. That is James Milner at Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. They solve simple and complex commercial real estate problems in and around the Boone area and beyond. Whether you own or lease commercial real estate, regardless of the property type, have an advocate on your side, along with the expertise and experience to assist you and your business. For more information, check them out on the web at Appalachian CRE.com. And an extended shout out to James Milner and the crew at Appalachian Commercial Real Estate for making this year's 4 Under 40 awards so special. They have been with us since the beginning. Ten years of recognizing emerging leaders and the connections made during and after this event are nothing short of transformational. So thanks to James and his team for helping us make this happen each and every year. More on 4 under 40 in just a bit. Speaking of under 40, that might be a good idea in terms of speed limit on the Blue Ridge Parkway over the next few months because of the nature of the work going on to restore this one-of-a-kind national park feature. Two sections in and around Boone and Blowing Rock are currently closed for repair, or will be within the next days or hours, even. And detours will keep access open to popular attractions during this restorative process. Lisa Brandon is an external affairs specialist with the National Park Service and starts our visit by reminding us why this work is happening in the first place.

SPEAKER_00 8:08

A project in Virginia, the replacement of the Laurel Fork Bridge. And then the project that we're talking about today is the 75-mile-long stretch of the parkway that is well beyond its life cycle, that needed full rehabilitation. And so we're really excited. We've been working on this project for several years. And the work that's planned for the upcoming season and is getting underway right now is the final steps to see that that project to completion.

SPEAKER_04 8:41

Yeah, as we are recording this on Monday, March 16th. First of all, it's gross outside. So I don't think any work is going on today. But we did notice that on Friday of last week, Friday the 13th, the first section or section 1B of the plan as is shared on the maps that we've been uh putting out on social media and will attach to this uh as well. Section 1B did close and work has begun on that section that goes roughly from Parkway Elementary School to Bamboo Gap. When you talk about a section like that and and road rehabilitation, what types of work goes on there? Are you looking at at full rebuilding of a complete roadway or is this patch and repair little mix of of both? What what kind of work is is going to take place in that stretch?

SPEAKER_00 9:28

This is the most um complex road repairs that we do on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are milling all the way down uh and basically rebuilding the road. It's not a simple repaving project, it's a full rehabilitation. Uh our partners at Federal Highways call it a full-depth reclamation. Uh so we are reclaiming the road in a way that we haven't seen it in decades in these sections. So, in addition to that work on the mainline motor road, there's also work going on to repair drainage structures and curbs and walks and shoulders and guardrails and overlooks and signage, all of that's wrapped up in the work that's underway right now.

SPEAKER_04 10:08

Now, I know that in the context of Helene repair, I remember Superintendent Sword out and others saying, you know, the first job was to get the road functional, and that was the priority. Is it there a similar priority to Great American Outdoors Act work, or do you look at other features off the parkway as part of that that grander project in the areas where you're working?

SPEAKER_00 10:32

Right. The the Great American Outdoors Act uh funding through this, what they now call a legacy restoration fund. The legacy restoration funds on the parkway are primarily being invested on the roadway itself and some of the adjacent features like overlooks and curbs and shoulders and those things, but not for any other types of park facilities. Um, and other parks across the country, sure, those dollars are being used for things like campgrounds and picnic areas. But in this park, because we are a designed landscape, and the primary feature of the of the parkway really is the road itself and the highest priority needs when um the legislation was passed and there was interest in trying to figure out how to get those dollars to the most high priority needs. This this was the project for the parkway that um really rose easily to the top.

SPEAKER_04 11:26

So we we've talked about one area, Parkway School to Bamboo Gap, that is underway now. Again, as we record this the week of March 16th, a little bit later this week, weather permitting. Uh we expect to see another section of this project begin around the blowing rock area. And that's where things get a little bit more complicated due to the nature of the project itself. What can you explain about uh that area and how you all will work on those sections, knowing that there are also some pretty popular attractions near that area as well?

SPEAKER_00 11:59

You're exactly right. There are lots of popular parkway uh attractions and destinations in the stretch where work is going to be underway primarily across the whole summer, uh, from about 321 there near milepost 291, um, all the way down to Beacon Heights near about milepost 305, uh popular trailheads in Cone Manor, Cone Memorial Park, the Lin Cove Trailhead Parking, Price Lake. And it's been a requirement in the planning of this project since the beginning. Uh, even when we were working in sections of the parkway north of Wataga County and the Sparta Bluffs, Downton Park areas, that the contractor plan their work and execute their work in a way that um provides continuous access to those things, those features of the parkway that uh are most beloved and what people really want to get to. So, what we'll experience for this project this summer in the area where they're working is there will be uh continuous access to Cone Memorial Park, there will be continuous access to Price Lake, there will be continuous access to popular grandfather mountain trailheads, and there will be continuous access to the Lynn Cove Trailhead Parking. Whether you access those locations from the north or the south on the parkway is what's going to be alternating as the contractor moves through the steps of their project and relocates and stages work. Visitors will need to be aware of how to get to what place, when on any given day across the summer season into the fall.

SPEAKER_04 13:45

We'll talk a little bit about the staging of that information and the various maps that will come out at the various times. Uh for those that are thinking about that blowing rock section, US 221 will be a very important uh route to be able to move you around to some of those areas that Lisa was just mentioning uh in terms of access points, which is great, I'm sure, to have uh something so close by that will keep people, in some cases, in eye shot of the parkway uh and and move them around. I'm sure in other communities it hasn't always been that simple to keep people uh in close proximity to the parkway. How have you worked with communities to make sure that that messaging essentially happens, that that some of those routes to popular places along the parkway are still accessed, even though it might not be the parkway that takes them there?

SPEAKER_00 14:35

Just like it's a priority for us to take care of the road, it really is a priority for the parkway management team uh to be in dialogue and conversation with our park neighbors and all the different kinds of organizations and stakeholders that are also engaging parkway visitors when they're off the parkway. And so those relationships, uh thank goodness, are long and deep in many places. And so the projects related to Helene Recovery and these Great American Outdoor Acts, where it does impact the regular visitor experience, uh, it's been essential to be in dialogue with our park neighbors about what that visitor experience looks like. Um we often say that a parkway visit is just about is just as much about the time on the parkway as it is off the parkway. And so we're really grateful that a lot of our partners in the high country, um, we've seen it in other sections of the parkway along the way, too, with different projects, are willing to try to encourage some positive outcomes as a result of parkway detours or different kinds of routes. And so they'll um highlight different experiences that are available to the park visitors to complement the work that's underway on the parkway.

SPEAKER_04 15:53

And I know some of those visitor centers, whether that's uh the uh uh visitor center uh at the base of App Ski Mountain, uh where High Country Host is located, uh, the the TDAs in and around the High Country area have great maps. Those resources are so helpful. In listening to the briefings that we've had over the last few weeks, you have mentioned a few times 11 different sections of this work will start, which is actually already started through the end of the project. What are your plans for releasing the active section, if you will, and and how do you encourage people to keep up with what section is is um on at a given time and what might may come next?

SPEAKER_00 16:35

You're right. We have um a lot of steps to work through to get us uh from this side of the project to the end of the project in order to move through that system of alternating closures and continuous access that we discussed earlier. We've developed um a set of right now about 11 maps that demonstrate in a very visual way to a park visitor, whether you've lived in the boon blowing rock community for decades or whether you uh have just traveled to the area for the for the weekend, you should be able to look at one of these maps and and be able to know, okay, this is the map that's in place right now on the date that I'm visiting the parkway. And if I want to go to Cone Memorial or if I want to go to um to Price Lake, then these are the roads that I'm gonna need to take to do that. And so we're gonna just distribute those maps as we get word from contractors that those changes are happening. So uh hopefully we'll get multiple days' notice from a contractor that they're getting ready to move from step two to three or three to four or four to five. Uh, and then we'll know that that's a signal to us to communicate with our partners there on the ground and in our park visitor centers. It's time to pull the step one map and put out the step two map. Uh and we'll be updating our our web content certainly along the way and saying, you know, beginning on the date that we've that the contractor has let us know that a change is taking place, that's when this, that's when this map is in effect for. And it will um it will be a lot to keep up with, and so we're appreciative of everybody's patience for that. Uh, and the end date for when a map changes is really contingent on so many variables that go into any road projects, um, like we've talked about already, the weather, um, anything that can impact the efficiency and how a project is moving. It often there are multiple things beyond our control uh that can influence when we might move from one step to another. So we haven't released the whole set of maps because that would um create, I think, a lot more confusion than than any of us are up for right now.

SPEAKER_04 18:51

Yeah, I I would say in this area, we are very well versed in uh lack of efficiency with construction at this time of year. So we we feel that pain and appreciate you all uh trying to keep that as straightforward and as in the moment as possible, uh, while also understanding too what comes next. I think that will be very helpful. One of the things that we noticed, Lisa, in in some of the Helene repair work that went on, that while so much attention was was drawn to the parkway being uh closed off for vehicular access, we also know that a lot of people use the parkway in a variety of ways, whether that's hiking the mountains to sea or cycling or running. Uh we have seen them all. I would imagine that that when you're looking at a full closure area, full closure means full closure. And that that means limited pedestrian and cycling and all that type of stuff, right? Yeah, you're exactly right.

SPEAKER_00 19:44

Not even limited. It means no uh no on the road recreation. Um, I know sometimes in the winter, especially if there's not an active road project, people enjoy recreating on the road. But when there's a road project that is the reason for a closure in a given area for everyone's safety, the bicyclists and the people walking and the people walking their dogs, that's not a good scenario for construction vehicles that are not anticipating anybody to be there and limited sight lines on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Uh, it we really need uh cooperation from everyone to know that when we say the road is closed, the road um really is really is closed for those uses. And the tra the adjacent trails will be available if they're open in general. They those will still be accessible. And lots of again, trailhead parking will be access to trailhead parking will be maintained across the summer. Um, so we hope to not see a slowdown in in that kind of recreation off the parkway.

SPEAKER_04 20:53

We saw so many volunteer groups last summer working to get things like the Mountains to Sea Trail open. That's a very popular uh destination in this particular corridor where work will be going on this summer. As we focus back on some other features from Halene repair, we also know that while that's not part of this project, there is still Halene repair work being done in the area, particularly south of Grandfather Mountain, toward Linville Falls, Mount Mitchell State Park, things like that. What can you tell us about the nature of that work and what are your goals uh this summer in terms of completion there?

SPEAKER_00 21:28

Yeah, we are um really excited, along with this great American Outdoor Act project coming to a conclusion this summer. We'll also see this um restoration of the parkway where we had over 58 landslides as a result of Helene, the work to provide access again on the road. Um, all of that work is set to conclude by the end of this calendar year, too, and we're really pleased about that. You're right. Um traveling from Grandfather Mountain area to Linville Falls, the parkway should be open, um, whether permitting. But beginning at that Linville Falls um area, the parkway will close again, and then it's it's closed um all but for just a few mile section between Spruce Pine and Little Switzerland until you get to Mount Mitchell, uh, which is near Route 80 on one of the adjacent routes coming up to the parkway.

SPEAKER_04 22:23

And this was an area where some of the most substantial damage was was seen. Uh, what kind of repair has that been? Have you been uh forced to completely rebuild the entire roadway? I mean, I know we saw some pretty complete things around here, but I don't think we've seen anything quite like what happened down in Linville Falls.

SPEAKER_00 22:41

Yeah, yeah, some of the most severe damage uh from Helene happened in this corridor between Lindville Falls and um Mount Mitchell. Right now we have repairs going on in about 40 locations, uh most highly concentrated area of damage. And uh the work there is really highly technical and complex. And uh, in many cases, there were huge slides that took the whole road with it, and a major rebuild of both the slope and the road itself are underway.

SPEAKER_04 23:12

More with Lisa Brandon right after this break. You are listening to Mind Your Business.

SPEAKER_03 23:17

Appalachian Commercial Real Estate provides professional commercial real estate services in the Boone area. They provide sales, leasing, consulting, and appraisal services to owners and users of commercial real estate. For more information, go to their website at AppalachianCRE.com.

SPEAKER_04 23:34

Welcome back to Mind Your Business. I'm David Jackson. We continue our conversation with Lisa Brandon as we discuss what comes next on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Going back toward the Great American Outdoors Act sections uh in the Boon and Blowing Rock area. Uh one other piece connecting two uh bits of work uh from what went on north of Wataga County last year up in Ash County and what you all got completed right before the fall uh last year from 421 to Parkway School is the bridge that goes across US 421. Uh I know that that will be down for repair as well. Can you tell us a little bit about the nature of that work and the time frame that that that will uh limit travel in directions from US 421?

SPEAKER_00 24:19

Yeah, that's a good flag. Thanks, David. There, we do have another project um underway in the high country this year that'll get underway later this spring. The parkway um again, 469 miles historic motor route designed landscape requires year-in and year-out maintenance regardless of special investments or severe weather. And so we have a partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and identify priority projects from year to year that need attention. And so also this year, as it has come up in the planning cycle, we'll be starting a project on the Deep Gap Area Bridge, as you mentioned over 421. Um, we'll send out an announcement when that work is getting underway with some additional details about the project and what to expect. Of course, it's just a kind of a short detour around that area. It'll be a very relatively small closure in order to do some repairs on that bridge that are needed.

SPEAKER_04 25:23

And I guess that's uh a side question uh before I ask you the final one. Um, you know, you you mentioned this ongoing work that is set aside from this one-time uh congressional allocation. What do you normally have to work with and how do you choose those priorities over the course of such a wide territory that you have to manage in a non-Hellen, non-grade American Outdoors Act year?

SPEAKER_00 25:48

Yeah, it's a great question. Um The Parkway, again, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, manages 469 miles of road and road features, uh, including tunnels and bridges and culverts and drainage systems and all of those things. And there's constantly a cycle of um inspections and evaluations and prioritizing project needs, identifying project needs, seeking funding for those projects, and then executing the projects. Uh, and that that typically isn't about a five-year cycle. In a given year, the parkway can expect uh anywhere between 10 and 15 million dollars annually for paving and bridge and tunnel repairs. But what's interesting to note is in order to do a full pavement reconstruction or drainage rehabilitation of a mile of the parkway, given the high elevation, given the road traffic, freeze and thaw cycles, the full cost or the approximate cost of a full mile of paving the Blue Ridge Parkway is just about two million dollars. And so it's it's easy, I think, to understand if you get 10 or 15 million a year, you have a 469-mile park, and a mile of that costs approximately two million to maintain. You have to really be careful and thoughtful and good stewards of the money and uh use it in places that need it the most from year to year. So that's what we try to do.

SPEAKER_04 27:23

Well, and and that that math uh gets gets gets awfully fragmented, I'm sure. So certainly understand the the nature of this work and and making sure that you you get those dollars deployed and and get some of these uh these sections that have not necessarily seen as much attention, uh getting them their proper attention here over the course of a project like this. So um the final question, and and I'm gonna uh I'll set this up with a couple of caveats, assuming that the the weather behaves and your access to materials behaves, all of the things line up the way you hope that they would. What is your best estimate here on March 16th of when this Great American Outdoors Act work could be completed here uh as we talk about these 11 sections um that that we've discussed today?

SPEAKER_00 28:14

Yeah, we are targeting this fall um for completing the work that's underway right now as it relates to the Great American Outdoors Act project. Um I I'm really hopeful that that we um will have the work done on or about fall color leaf season. I can't say for sure uh when in the fall, obviously it would be complete, but I uh I am hopeful that we'll see that project completed and all the things will move as smoothly as they can. What I will say is regardless of when it wraps up, the high country in particular, really from the state line uh down to past Grandfather Mountain is going to have some of the best the best sections of road um on the parkway, and you should be good for many, many, many years to come. And uh I'm I and I know all of my colleagues are so appreciative of uh everyone's patience because I know that you all know that this work needs to be done too, and uh we'll get it done as quick as we can.

SPEAKER_04 29:24

You know, Lisa, I'm glad you mentioned that because I I remember in one of the briefings, one of the project engineers mentioned the quality of the ride on the parkway uh as being something that will be enhanced as part of this work. And that is a an absolutely true statement that when you get on the Blue Ridge Parkway, it's just a different feel than any other roadway and any other community that that goes from tip to tip.

SPEAKER_00 29:47

So your neighbors to the north are um are really pleased with the outcome of the work that's been completed in their area and that you all will receive.

SPEAKER_04 29:55

I know I wrote I rode to the bluffs back in the fall. I didn't even have to turn the radio up. It was really nice uh areas beautiful work too in uh in um you know some hard to get to areas of the community. So uh certainly commend you and your team. And I do want to thank you all for hearing some of the feedback from this area about uh this year's work last summer, uh, as we all talked and talked about staggered closures and and talked about keeping some of those things open. Uh, you all have been true to your word in that, and and from a community standpoint, we certainly thank you for that because obviously access matters uh in an area like Boon and Blowing Rock, and and we'll be able to keep people moving around and they'll have a smooth road uh to ride on when it's all said and done.

SPEAKER_00 30:39

That's a great point, too. And I'll just add that despite all this work and maybe some confusion and trying to keep up with what's open when and how do I get to there today, there's so many good opportunities to recreate on the parkway and in your communities this summer. Um, we're we're so close to really rebuilding from Helene and this project. And but there's no reason this year not to enjoy the parkway so many different ways, too.

SPEAKER_04 31:05

Well said, and we will get after that just as soon as it stops snowing, I promise. So uh Lisa, thank you for your time. I know we'll catch up again a little bit later in the summer and just get kind of a status report on on how things are going. And in the meantime, if there's anything we can help with, don't hesitate to ask. Sounds great. Thanks, Dave. Our thanks to Lisa and the entire parkway team, including Superintendent Tracy Swartout, a host of engineers and other parks staff for taking time to perform this meticulous work that will set the course for the next 20 to 30 years worth of benefits that the parkway provides to our community. You can stay up to date on closures, detours, and other information by visiting nps.gov slash BLRI. That again is nps.gov slash BLRI. Bookmark that site and check it often, as the first news of shifts among those 11 construction zones will be communicated there. And of course, as soon as we are made aware of those changes, we will pass them along. As will our partners in tourism development, other local chambers, news outlets like WATA. Pretty much all of us, when we know, you will know. So we know where to go. You are listening to mind your business.

SPEAKER_02 32:26

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SPEAKER_03 33:08

Mind your business. Brought to you by Appalachian Commercial Real Estate, offering sales, leasing, consulting, and appraisal services. Visit Appalachian CRE.com.

SPEAKER_04 33:19

It is our privilege to recognize a true community visionary, a willing accomplice, a trend center in the small business community, and a mentor to so many who have gone on to make their mark. The 2026 Respect Your Elder Award goes to Mrs. Faye Cooper. Congratulations. Leaders need people who motivate them, and Faye Cooper certainly fits that bill. Most leaders can easily recall that special person, that career influencer that may have been the first somebody that believed in you, that inspiring voice that told you to trust yourself and take the leap. The Respect Your Elder Award has been a staple in our decade of 4 under 40 experiences, serving as an opportunity for our young leaders to tip their hats toward those that inspire. It was almost 46 years ago that a young lady came to the mountains of North Carolina, perhaps a little scared of what the future would hold or what her life might soon become. She was returning to the area from Florida, and in 1980, she replanted roots that would forever change our community. How we care for people, how we create a sense of place. The personality of Mass General's store was born through the eyes of Faye Cooper. The charm that was created as they renovated the original store in Valley Cruces, from the creaky steps to the smell of sugar in the candy barrels. Those nuances have been meticulously replicated in each location throughout the years. Details that bring a piece of Valley Cruis to places like Knoxville, Winston-Salem, and in the near future, Chattanooga, Tennessee. As Mass General Store grew, Faye Cooper was heavily involved in hiring and saw opportunities to build a business that valued the employee. She worked to create one of the most competitive benefits packages a small business has ever seen. She helped families navigate childcare. She introduced a comprehensive health insurance plan for the business that remains a cornerstone of the company's employee-focused culture. She created ways to offer flexibility for employees before that was really ever even a concept. She shaped a place where people wanted to work and created structure for them to grow. Over the years, Faye has played the role of sneaky encourager. Alongside her husband John, she and her family have led by example, lending their name, their money toward hundreds of community efforts and causes over the years. They spend their time today by holding true to one of their first goals set some 46 years ago. Leave the place better than we found it. To present this award, Faye's daughter and current Mass General Store CEO Lisa Cooper helped plan a bit of a surprise. And while she might have been caught off guard, no one could summarize the experience from the heart better than Faye.

SPEAKER_01 36:13

I just want to tell you that for the last 45 and a half years, I have been honored to be a member of the Wataga County community and the high country community. John Cooper is the visionary who led us on a path. And my mother-in-law, people call me Mrs. Cooper. I said, Don't do that. That was my mother-in-law. And shortly after we moved up here, we were able to go on a little trip, and we wound up in the Amish country, and we were in a museum, and they had kind of stuck of wagons, and it talked about people going out west. And my mother-in-law said, you know, they that's really kind of what you did. You just packed up everything and you you moved your whole family, and you didn't know where you were going or what you were going to do. But I knew that the man I married had confidence and abilities. And I would so love to share this award with him because he's the man that's responsible for so much of the things that you see around this county for our uh development association, for the Doc Watson statue, for the the theater that you're that you're sitting in today, uh the vision, the concept. I played a part. And at one point in time, he looked at me and he said, we make a great team. And I think we made we've made an impact on this community that I see all of you out there before me coming along and doing all the things that are necessary to continue the quality of life that we all enjoy here. I appreciate this award, and I am totally blown away because I thought it was supposed to be for Lisa.

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Congratulations to Faye Cooper for her selection as this year's Respect Your Elder Award winner. Other category winners from the 10th annual 4 Under 40 awards include Dr. Kelly Whitely from Mountaineer Dental and Sleep Center. She was selected as the Rising Star Honoree. AppState Jackie Garner was honored as the category winner under Educational Professional. Our nonprofit honoree was Miles Stacey from the High Country Area Agency on Aging. And our business owner honoree, Tiffany Whiteson of Wonder Pelvic Therapy and Wellness. You can learn more about these fine individuals along with our full class of 16 finalists at Boonechamber.com. And again, next week, we will provide more details in our special 440 recap episode. You are listening to Mind Your Business. A quick note on the way out, switching event gears now to golf. Registration is open for the Chamber's annual Fairway 4 Foundation Golf Classic, which will be held Thursday, April 30th at Jefferson Landing. We have about a third of the field filled at this point, but spots will start to go fast as people take the gloves out of the garage. So reserve your spot today at BoonCamber.com. Proceeds from this event will help fuel the community's support work that is the heartbeat of the Boon Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation. That does it for this episode of MindYour Business, this program written and produced by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. Thanks once again to WATA for placing us on the airwaves each and every week. If you are not a subscriber to the podcast, make sure you do it. Search for Mind Your Business wherever you get your podcast. You can visit us online anytime as well at BooneCamber.com. Until next week, so long, everyone.