Conversations around the cost of healthcare and related insurance coverage brings a variety of emotions these days. While the Federal Government continues to use the renewal of tax credits related to the Affordable Care Act as a chief negotiating tool in budget conversations, High Country residents are among the millions of Americans gearing up for open enrollment and could see premiums skyrocket depending on how things land in Washington. No matter how this ends, it has become more apparent than ever that maximizing one's healthcare benefits is of the utmost importance, and employers have a role to play in that conversation.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we visit with Wayne Randall, Director of Blue Cross Blue Shield's Beyond Blue Neighborhood Center. We'll hear how his team works with community partners to make simple healthcare options like screenings, vaccine clinics and other services available to all, regardless of insurance coverage. He will also discuss timing of open enrollment for the Medicare and under 65 populations, so you stay up-to-date on the right time to make plan adjustments.

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.

Join us for Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transition, November 3rd, from 5:30-8PM at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country.

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The landscape around the High Country is getting more beautiful by the day! The annual changing of the leaves provides the perfect backdrop for one of the most important times on our region's economic calendar.

As we move through fall festival season, this week's Mind Your Business is focused on the Super Bowl Weekend of fall events, October 18-19 -- featuring Valle Country Fair, the Woolly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, and App State Homecoming.

We will talk with festival organizers about the details of these signature events, while also discussing the economic ripple events fall activity has on the High Country. We'll also give some tips and tricks regarding parking and traffic for the weekend, including gameday specific information for the area around Kidd Brewer Stadium and Downtown Boone.

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.

Join us for Passing the Torch: A Dialogue on Leadership Transition, November 3rd, from 5:30-8PM at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country.

Support the show

The Federal government shutdown has people asking about the status of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have answers about access to this popular piece of the High Country's fall experience.

Speaking of government, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted its annual Watauga County Meet the Candidates forum at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites in Boone, centered around the Boone Town Council & Mayoral race. We bring you the full archive of the forum, featuring Town Council candidates Todd Carter, Morgan Murray, Virginia Roseman, and Adrian Tait. Mayoral candidate Dalton George was not in attendance at the event due to a work conflict, but offered a four-minute summary of his vision for the role.

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.

Support the show