Boone Area Chamber Hosts Watauga County Childcare Legislative Day

On January 14, 2024, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the Watauga County Childcare Legislative Day, an event designed to spotlight the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the local childcare landscape. 

Held at the Courtyard by Marriott in Boone, the day began with our Connecting Community & Commerce session, where business leaders, public officials, and childcare professionals gathered to discuss progress made since the Watauga County Childcare Study and share actionable goals for 2025. With powerful insights from speakers like Samantha Cole of the NC Department of Commerce and Erica Palmer Smith of NC Child, attendees left inspired to take tangible next steps for addressing the region’s childcare needs.

The afternoon featured a series of eye-opening site visits, showcasing innovative childcare solutions across Watauga County. From the employee-focused Blowing Rock Academy to the in-home care model at Little Jewels and the afterschool programs at Hardin Park, participants gained a firsthand look at diverse approaches that prioritize community support and accessibility. These tours not only underscored the progress already underway but also served as a call to action for continued investment in childcare as a cornerstone of economic and social vitality.

We’re grateful to the many professionals, community leaders, and organizations who contributed to this meaningful event, and we look forward to building on the momentum created. For additional reading, check out this piece from EducationNC that dives deeper into the childcare priorities for Watauga County: Child Care a Priority for Watauga County Business Leaders as Helene Recovery Pushes Forward.

If you have additional questions about our ongoing efforts to address childcare in our community, feel free to contact Joe Furman, Director of Economic Development, at joe@boonechamber.com.