NCGrowth is working with the Town of Boone to conduct a housing and economic resiliency assessment that will inform the Town’s overall resiliency strategy for years to come. The report, which will be available in a few weeks, includes information on demographic and economic indicators, a leakage analysis, and a housing cost burden analysis. In addition to these quantitative analyses, NCGrowth’s work was informed by interviews with community members, Town employees, the Boone Chamber of Commerce, Appalachian State University, the High County Council of Governments, the Northwest Regional Housing Authority, Watauga County Tourism Development Corporation, Downtown Boone Development Corporation, and local businesses.
NCGrowth Analyst, Eve Lettau, a second year Master of City and Regional Planning candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill led the research and writing of this report. Eve and NCGrowth Economic Development Manager, Jess Wilkinson, had the opportunity to visit Boone during the summer. Thanks to the Town of Boone for being such wonderful hosts!