Ater several months of research and over 700 points of stakeholder engagement, the Watauga County Childcare Study is complete.

On this week's Mind Your Business, we breakdown the numbers that relate to the key county demographics and trends that fuel the need for early childhood and afterschool care in Watauga County. We'll then get further context on the numbers from Cyndi Dancy, Founder & Principal of Dancy Research, which is the firm that conducted this important study. Hear about trends, updated information on gaps in childcare, how many workers would return to the workforce if capacity and affordability are addressed, and how the community can move forward with solutions that will have a positive impact on this key community resource.

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

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We are inching closer to the 8th annual Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards. This year's event takes place at the historic Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, Wednesday, April 24th, with a full red-carpet experience beginning at 5:30PM. You can read more about this year's event and our 16 honorees here.

Before we recognize the 4 Under 40 class of 2024, we thought you might find inspiration from hearing an update on some of our honorees of the past. On this week's Mind Your Business, we connect with:

• Dr. Caleb Marsh, 4 Under 40 Class of 2017, and current Dean of the Ashe Campus of Wilkes Community College.
• Danielle Wade, 4 Under 40 Class of 2019, and current President/CEO of Jackson Sumner & Associates.
• Anthony Brumfield, 4 Under 40 Class of 2017, and current owner of Infinite Scope
• Caroline Poteat, 4 Under 40 Class of 2022, and law student at the University of North Carolina.

We'll hear about what's transpired professionally for each since being recognized, how their leadership style has evolved, what do they study to continue pushing their own leadership journey forward, and what advice they have for the leaders of tomorrow.

Mind Your Business is produced weekly by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.

The health and wellbeing of employees and their families is an essential part of a high-functioning business. The realities and experiences of life during the pandemic brought new focus toward how business owners can prioritize employee well-being, while also shining light on the available heathcare resources in our region.

UNC Health Appalachian, formerly Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, has worked to evolve their services and facilities to meet the ever-changing healthcare needs in the High Country. How has the system adapted to demographic changes to our community? How are they addressing efficiency through technology? What are the driving forces behind hiring staff for one of the High Country's largest employers?

On this week's Mind Your Business, we tackle these questions and more as we visit with Chuck Mantooth, President/CEO of UNC Health Appalachian, as we ask, "What's Going On with Healthcare in the High Country."

Mind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The program is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.