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Blue Ridge Rising Program Aims To Unify Gateway Communities

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NPT Staff

Published Date

March 13, 2025

 

A program launched by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation seeks to unify the more than two dozen gateway communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina.

Known as the Blue Ridge Rising initiative, the group of leaders representing 29 communities will help implement strategies to unify the communities for the betterment of the region. Blue Ridge Rising aims to strengthen relationships and foster economic development within the North Carolina and Virginia communities that neighbor the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the country’s most visited national parks.

The ambassadors represent a range of community roles, including directors of tourism, main street programs, economic development, and chambers of commerce, a county commissioner, education professionals, private business, and many additional regional leaders. The group is composed of one representative from each Parkway community. The ambassadors will voice the unique needs of their communities, help prioritize and guide projects, foster partnerships, and identify appropriate funding sources.

“I’m thrilled to be a Blue Ridge Rising ambassador, supporting the mission to strengthen relationships and boost economic growth in our gateway communities,” said Amie Newsome, social media and content manager for Visit Haywood. “I’m passionate about community engagement and eager to collaborate with fellow ambassadors to showcase the beauty and charm of the Blue Ridge Parkway.” 

The ambassadors in North Carolina are Wes Greene, Ashe County; Mark File, Avery County; Thomas House, Buncombe County; Danielle Stilwell, Burke County; Jason Chaffin, Caldwell County; Amie Newsome, Haywood County; Carlos Martinez, Henderson County; Bernadette Peters, Jackson County; Shannon Odom, McDowell County; Spencer Bost, Mitchell County; Jessica Roberts, Surry County; Paul Wolf, Swain County; Carolyn Ashworth, Transylvania County; Ryan Robinson, Watauga County; Linda Cheek, Wilkes County; and Brywn Philips, Yancey County.

“I'm very interested in protecting and promoting this wonderful, rich connection of gateway communities and the amazing resources along the Blue Ridge Parkway.”  said Larry VanHoose, executive director of the Alleghany County Chamber of Commerce. “My team and I are very pro-Blue Ridge and recognize its value to our area and to other gateway communities.”

The ambassadors in Virginia are Randy Nixon, Amherst County; Dwayne Jones, Waynesboro, Augusta County; Nicole Johnson, Bedford County; Jonathan McCoy, Botetourt County; Brooke Love, Carroll County; John McEnhill, Floyd County; Daniel Pinard, Franklin County; Tracy Cornett, Grayson County; Mercedies Ramstead, Lynchburg; Maureen Kelley, Nelson County; Rebecca Adcock, Patrick County; Pete Peters, Roanoke County; Sheryl Wagner, Rockbridge County; and Larry VanHoose, Galax, and Alleghany County, N.C. 

“It’s important to me that we continue strengthening the connection between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the other tourism assets in our community,” said Nicole Johnson, tourism director for Destination Bedford Virginia. “Together, we can make this beautiful region even better for both visitors and locals alike.”

Blue Ridge Rising marked the first time in the national park’s history that all 29 Parkway-adjacent counties worked together to determine strategies that will have wide-ranging benefits for the region’s communities. Input from communities led to the creation of the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan. The key themes of the plan are marketing, visitor experience, unified regional voice, resource protection, workforce education, and capacity building.

Blue Ridge Rising was launched in part by two grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. The initiative earned the Public Lands Alliance’s 2025 Outstanding Public Engagement Award. To learn more and review the Action Plan, visit BlueRidgeRising.com.

The Foundation is the nonprofit fundraising partner of the Blue Ridge Parkway, helping to ensure cultural and historical preservation, natural resource protection, educational outreach, and visitor enjoyment now and for future generations. Since 1997, the Foundation has provided more than $23 million in support for the country’s most visited national park unit. To learn more, visit BRPFoundation.org.

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