UNCG marketing students partner with Town of Black Mountain, supported by U.S. Economic Development Administration State Tourism Grant
Downtown Black Mountain, North Carolina
BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC (November 22, 2024) — UNC Greensboro marketing students are working with Black Mountain leadership to encourage visitors to return to this charming mountain town in North Carolina.
“We are excited with the partnership with UNCG,” said Black Mountain Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman. “Black Mountain is thrilled to welcome visitors back after Hurricane Helene. Visitors will support the recovery and sustainability of our charming town. This is a great time of the year to visit.”
Visitors are encouraged to plan a trip to Black Mountain. Local shops, restaurants and accommodation are open for business. Repairs continue on outdoor recreation areas.
There are several holiday events planned for early December, two of which are hosted by the Black Mountain and Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce.
Explore the lovely downtown during the annual Holly Jolly event. It will be held on Friday, December 6 from 4-8 p.m. This event is perfect for families and couples. Stroll through the local shops and enjoy the diverse culinary scene with a wide variety of restaurants, breweries and bakeries. Attending these festive events are a great way to get holiday gifts, while supporting the recovery of Black Mountain.
Stay the night in Black Mountain to enjoy the Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 7 at 4 pm. This is a great way to start the holiday season with Santa. City officials will Marshall the parade, including town leadership, police officials and firefighters. The festivities continue with the Circle of Lights in the Town Square from 5-7 pm.
Click here to learn more about holiday events and activities in Black Mountain.
Students in Advanced Marketing Management are working with town officials to promote the town’s reopening and ongoing marketing efforts. “It is an honor to supervise the work of my talented marketing students as they support a charming city in the North Carolina mountains,” said Dr. Sara MacSween. “This project enriches their final semester.”
This collaboration is supported by an U.S. Economic Development Administration State Tourism Grant. The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division announced in January 2023 that 34 local governments from across the state would participate in the Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) Program. This includes Black Mountain.
“We appreciate our partnership with UNCG, as well as the efforts of Dr. MacSween and her marketing students, to help Black Mountain implement its CORE strategic plan that now addresses the town’s pressing needs,” said N.C. Commerce ARC and SCRC Assistant Program Manager David McRae. “Black Mountain envisions itself as a small town community basecamp where outdoor journeys begin, which is still relevant as the town adapts and recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.”
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About the Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Hospitality and Tourism Department
The MEHT department at UNC Greensboro is uniquely diverse, bringing together multiple subject areas that are typically considered standalone disciplines. This combination gives students a strong multidisciplinary edge, allowing them to specialize in their specific interest areas, while developing essential skills that employers value. As a result, they are well-equipped to succeed competitively in their career endeavors.
About the Bryan School of Business and Economics
The Bryan School is one of the largest business schools in North Carolina, offering 11 undergraduate, six master’s, 11 graduate certificate and four PhD programs. The Bryan School holds dual accreditation in business and accounting from the AACSB – a distinction held by only 1% of business schools in the world. The school produces the principled leaders and exceptional problem solvers that communities and organizations need.
About Black Mountain
Nestled in the heart of the Western North Carolina mountains, Black Mountain is a small town with big charm. From its quaint shops and locally-owned restaurants, Black Mountain has something for everyone and lots of things to do every day of the week. Many of these shops are family-owned and have been passed down for generations, including handmade pottery, European gifts, antiques, locally made candles, hand-woven baskets and quilts. The restaurant scene is eclectic with everything, ranging from farm-to-table, fresh seafood and a wide variety of ethnic cuisine. Satisfy your sweet tooth with local bakeries, chocolate and homemade ice cream. Get outdoors for hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Stroll around Lake Tomahawk or enjoy the breathtaking views of the Seven Sisters and Blue Ridge Mountain ranges.
In addition to its natural beauty, Black Mountain is home to a thriving music and arts scene. The town hosts several music festivals throughout the year, and live bands are always playing in the local bars, music venues and restaurants. There are also several art galleries in Black Mountain, making it a great place to find that perfect unique gift or take a class and make something of your own. Learn more at discoverblackmountain.org.
About the Creating Outdoor Recreation Economies (CORE) Program
The N.C. Department of Commerce, Rural Economic Development Division announced that 34 local governments from across the state would participate in the CORE program in January 2023. The CORE program, which is funded by a U.S. Economic Development Administration State Tourism Grant, offers strategic planning and technical assistance to help rural North Carolina communities leverage the state’s abundant outdoor recreation assets to support local economic growth. The CORE program will provide training and technical assistance to help participating communities implement their strategies. This includes funding for participating communities to attend training and receive technical assistance which helps them gain skills and knowledge to continue advancing outdoor recreation related economic development.
Media Contacts
Dr. Sara MacSween, UNCG MEHT Department, 336-337-7095, sbmacswe@uncg.edu
Wesley M. Barker, Black Mountain Public Information Officer, 828-419-9310, Wesley.barker@tobm.org
David McRae, North Carolina Department of Commerce ARC and SCRC Assistant Program Manager, 984-365-0853, david.mcrae@commerce.nc.gov
