Blowing Rock adopts resolution urging state, federal support for small businesses hit by Hurricane Helene

The Blowing Rock Town Council adopted a resolution March 11 asking the U.S. Congress and the North Carolina General Assembly to continue providing financial, administrative and technical support to small businesses in Watauga County and other western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The resolution, read aloud at the meeting, says Helene struck western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024, and notes that while physical cleanup has proceeded, many businesses remain financially vulnerable heading into the region’s slower winter and shoulder seasons. The text cites October — typically one of the area’s highest tourism months — as having been affected and calls for additional programmatic support to aid recovery.

David Jackson, director of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke at the meeting on behalf of the Boone and Blowing Rock chambers. Jackson thanked the council for the “quick resolution and adoption” and said local governments and economic development partners were coordinating to encourage state and federal assistance. Robin Miller of the Blowing Rock Chamber joined Jackson at the podium; both asked elected officials to continue advocacy and to prioritize technical as well as monetary aid.

Council members did not record a roll-call vote in the meeting transcript excerpts; the resolution text presented at the meeting concludes with the statement that the Town Council respectfully requests continued support from Congress and the General Assembly and is dated March 2025.

Why it matters: small businesses drive employment and sales tax receipts that support the town and county budgets. Council and chamber speakers said continued outside assistance would help firms survive the slower months and lessen longer-term damage to the local tourism economy.

The council meeting packet and staff materials note that counties and municipalities in the region have been adopting similar statements to coordinate advocacy. Town staff said the resolution was prepared and circulated quickly to allow Blowing Rock to align with neighboring jurisdictions’ requests.

The Council framed the adoption as a statement of local support for continued state and federal engagement; specific funding streams or programs to be requested are not spelled out in the resolution.

A photo opportunity followed the resolution’s adoption and the council signed the text after it was read into the record.

Meeting context: the resolution was considered under the regular agenda and presented by chamber representatives after staff introduced that agenda item. The discussion and vote took only a few minutes of the meeting.