Haywood County Tourism Development Authority

12/04/2024

A huge shoutout to the amazing staff at Springdale Resort for hosting the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority this morning for our December board meeting!

If you’ve never been out there, you’re seriously missing out— Rocky Face Tavern’s delicious food and those stunning mountain views made for the perfect holiday meeting spot. Thank you for making it such a special experience for us!🎄❤️

11/27/2024

🎁 Kick off your holiday shopping with a purchase that gives back! This Black Friday & Small Business Saturday, support small business recovery in Haywood County by picking up an exclusive Haywood Strong ornament at one of these local shops:

828 Market
Affairs of the Heart
Maggie Mountaineer Crafts

💝100% of the proceeds from each ornament goes to the Haywood County Small Business Recovery Grant program. Haywood Strong ornaments, as well as beanies, car magnets, and stickers are also available online at https://visithaywood-online-store.square.site/ and in-person at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center in Lake Junaluska.

11/27/2024

After recently hosting a Southern Living editor on her first trip to Haywood County, we are happy to share this round-up of favorite places Southern Living visited this year and loved - including our very own Waynesville!

Town of Waynesville, North Carolina
Downtown Waynesville Commission

Southern Living editors traveled far and wide in 2024, checking out small towns and big cities all across the South. Keep reading for the destinations that left a big impression on us over the course of the year.

11/25/2024

Visit Haywood Ice Fest Brochures are in the house! Come by the Welcome Center to pick yours up and together let's make the 2025 Ice Fest Weekend a roaring success!

📍 91 North Lakeshore Drive, Mon-Sat 9:00-5:00

11/21/2024

Please be aware of the winter closure updates below from the Blue Ridge Parkway and inform your guests and visitors for their safety.❄️🚧

Winter is coming! CLOSURES ALERT!

Closures due to winter weather are expected in several areas of the Parkway. The northernmost Virginia section of the Parkway, along with Boone/Blowing Rock areas, Asheville, and the southernmost sections in North Carolina are experiencing winter weather closures. Plan ahead and visit our road status and closures page on our website to view current openings/closures. Mapping apps may not immediately reflect current conditions.

Recreation of any kind is not permitted in any Parkway closure area due to potentially unstable landscape in the post Helene environment.

NPS Photo: Parkway lined with frosted trees in 2020.

11/21/2024

Hey Partners! 👋

We wanted to let you know that WNC Strong is here to help any businesses affected by Hurricane Helene with vital resources, including business grants.

WNC Strong is a community of partners dedicated to revitalizing our area and supporting local businesses.

Discover available grants and resources today at WNC Strong Together:

WNC Strong is collective of partners dedicated to revitalizing our community by providing essential resources to local businesses affected by Hurricane Helene.

11/13/2024

Our team is hard at work shipping out Haywood Strong ornaments all over the country! 🎄✨

Are you local? Skip the shipping and pick yours up in person at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center (91 N Lakeshore Dr. Lake Junaluska, NC) during our normal operating hours: Monday-Saturday, 9-5.

🎁 GiftHaywood.com

11/13/2024

In honor of , we're launching a holiday campaign to celebrate local businesses and spread cheer: Give the Gift of Haywood! 🎁🛍️🎄

Visit GiftHaywood.com to learn more and explore participating businesses.

This season, shop small and make a BIG impact. Every "Haywood Strong" ornament purchase supports the Small Business Relief Fund for those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Look for mini trees, ornaments, and stickers at over 85 local businesses—your chance to give back while you shop!

Let's come together, support local, and spread kindness this holiday season. 💙

Haywood County Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Waynesville Commission
Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce
Canton Merchants Partnership

11/08/2024

11/07/2024

Haywood County Small Business Recovery Grant Program – Deadline Update! 🚨

Due to an overwhelming number of applications, we are closing the application period early. The new deadline is Monday, Nov. 11 at noon!

If you are a small business in Haywood County impacted by recent challenges, don’t miss your chance to apply for recovery funds.

👉 Learn more and apply here:

Purpose: The program is designed to support small businesses in Haywood County that were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene. The goal is to provide financial assistance to help businesses reco…

11/07/2024

🚨 Attention Haywood County business owners! 🚨

The Haywood County Small Business Recovery Grant Program is now OPEN! If your business was impacted by Hurricane Helene, this is your chance to get the financial support you need to recover and rebuild.

In partnership with the Haywood Advancement Foundation, we are proud to contribute $100,000 to the HAF’s Small Business Recovery Grant program.

Eligible businesses can receive between $1,000 and $25,000 to help cover recovery, rebuilding, and operational costs resulting from the storm.

This program is designed to help Haywood County businesses get back on their feet and continue serving our community.

👉 Learn more and apply here:

Purpose: The program is designed to support small businesses in Haywood County that were negatively impacted by Hurricane Helene. The goal is to provide financial assistance to help businesses reco…

11/04/2024

Exciting Opportunity for Haywood County Tourism Partners! 🌟

The Haywood County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants to fill a tourism-related vacancy on the Tourism Development Authority Board.

This is a wonderful opportunity for residents of Haywood County who own or operate a tourism-related business, including, but not limited to, local attractions, resorts, restaurants, gift shops, and concert venues. The applicants will be interviewed by the Board of County Commissioners before being asked to serve in the position.

🗓️ Term: January 2025 - December 2027
📝 Application Deadline: November 25, 2024

To apply, download the application here: https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/9/How-Do-I or pick one up at the County Manager’s office. Completed applications can be submitted in person or emailed to Haven Muse at [email protected].

Your insights are crucial in shaping the future of tourism in Haywood County. If you or someone you know is interested, don’t miss out on this opportunity!

For more details about the HCTDA Board, visit: https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/747/Tourism-Development-Authority-Board or https://haywoodtda.com

Questions? Contact the County Manager's Office at 828-452-6625 or the Tourism Development Authority Office at 828-944-0761.

11/01/2024

Deadline Extended
Local governments, houses of worship, and other nonprofit organizations now have until Jan 7, 2025, to submit Requests for Public Assistance (RPA) from FEMA. The RPA is the first step for public and private nonprofit organizations to apply for federal disaster assistance.

FEMA extended the deadline at the request of the state of North Carolina.

This program provides grants to state, tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies. These funds support the removal of debris, costs of emergency protective measures and restoration of public facilities, helping disaster survivors resume life in their communities.

Eligible applicants can apply for assistance through the state of North Carolina. For more information on submitting a Request for Public Assistance, applicants should contact North Carolina Emergency Management, or email [email protected].

11/01/2024

🎄 Reminder: Today is the LAST DAY to sign up for the Give the Gift of Haywood campaign! If you’ve signed up but haven’t paid, please do so today to be included.

Join us in supporting local businesses from November 13 to December 31 by selling exclusive “Haywood Strong” ornaments.

Participation Fee: $25
What You Get:
🎁 25 “Haywood Strong” stickers
🎁 Miniature Christmas tree
🎁 Tent card & ornament for display
🎁 Window decal
🎁 Listing on our website & Wander Map
🎁 Social media promotion

🔗 Sign up by today: https://bit.ly/gifthaywoodsignup
More Info: https://haywoodtda.com/gift-haywood-information
Questions? Contact us at 📞 828-944-0761 or ✉️ [email protected].

Let’s spread holiday cheer and support local this year!

10/31/2024

We are thrilled to announce the WNC Small Business Recovery Grants Program with Appalachian Community Capital! This initiative aims to support businesses in our region that are focused on recovery and revitalization.

💼 What is the Helene Recovery Grants Program?
Designed to provide financial assistance to businesses impacted by Helene, these grants will empower entrepreneurs to rebuild and thrive in their communities.

🔍 Who Can Apply?
If you're a business owner and are physically located in one of the following Western North Carolina counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, or Yancey; or is located in the Qualla Boundary, we encourage you to explore this opportunity!

📝 Learn More & Apply:
For more information and to access the application, visit: https://appalachiancommunitycapitalcdfi.org/wnscb-grant

Application window open from Oct. 30 – Nov. 27, 2024

Mountain BizWorks is also hosting two informational webinars and an in-person Spanish session for those interested in applying. Come, learn more, and ask questions about your application. https://www.mountainbizworks.org/helene

Together, let’s work towards a stronger, more resilient future! 🌄

Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative Welcome to the Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative Was your small business harmed by Hurricane Helene? The Western North Carolina Small Business Initiative is here to help. The initiative is partnering with local Community Development Fin...

10/30/2024

Exciting news for our community! Dogwood Health Trust has announced an additional $20 million for Hurricane Helene relief and recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. This brings their total commitment to over $50 million to help our community rebuild and recover. 💙 Let’s spread the word and support our friends, families and local businesses in need.

Additional support for housing stability and small business relief included Asheville, N.C. – Last week, the Dogwood Health Trust Board of Directors approved another$20+ million in grants in response to the devastation of Hurricane Helene in Western NorthCarolina (WNC). This round of funding follo...

10/28/2024

We are so proud of our Haywood County First Responders and all those from around the country that came to help all of Western North Carolina. You’re all Rock Stars and we send our deepest appreciation and gratitude for all that you do- now and always. 💙💚

10/28/2024

Attention Haywood County Small Business Owners! 🚨

Haywood County, the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, and the Chamber of Commerce have created a survey about the status and needs of our local businesses. Your input will help direct resources & future funding.

Thank you for taking the survey. The deadline is tomorrow—your feedback will be invaluable as we build a path forward!

Take the Helene Recovery Survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLV97C5