AGP Executive Report

Tourism & Local Economy: Caldwell County tourism rose in 2025, reaching $81.2 million in visitor spending (+6.5%), supporting 489 jobs and generating $2.8 million in local tax revenue. Western NC Recovery: Western North Carolina small businesses hit by Tropical Storm Helene get more breathing room—Moore County’s interest-only loan repayment window is extended to 30 months for 800+ businesses, after Mountain BizWorks reported many are still below pre-Helene revenue. Outdoor & Wildlife: Cataloochee Valley’s elk reintroduction marks 25 years, with today’s herd estimated at 250–260. Family Travel & Safety: Moore County launches “Operation Safe Start” to crack down on speeding and unsafe driving around school zones as classes resume. Road Rules: Wilmington-area coverage breaks down when drivers must stop for school buses under North Carolina law. Health Watch: North Carolina cyclosporiasis cases top 920, with 929 confirmed statewide as of the latest update. Culture & Events: Jaipur Literature Festival expands across seven cities in the U.S. and Canada, with North Carolina hosting events Sept. 11–13.

Tourism Impact: Caldwell County tourism rose in 2025, with visitor spending hitting $81.2 million (+6.5%), supporting 489 jobs and generating $2.8 million in local tax revenue. Tourism Impact: Pender County’s tourism impact topped $203.08 million in 2025, up 0.4%, supporting 1,051+ jobs and generating millions in state and local taxes. Tourism Growth: Ashe County reported a 4% visitor-spending increase in 2025, signaling continued resilience after Hurricane Helene. Transit & Travel: A nearly $300 million federal grant will fund safety and capacity upgrades on North Carolina’s Piedmont passenger rail corridor, aiming to shorten Raleigh-to-Charlotte travel times. Local Walkability: Boone approved a Bamboo Road sidewalk agreement and set a Sept. 16 walk-audit to assess pedestrian and bike safety. E-Bike Rules: New North Carolina e-bike classifications are prompting local safety discussions and give cities and counties more authority to regulate. Coastal Wildlife: Drone video captured what appears to be hundreds of sharks near Masonboro Island, with a stingray also spotted. Community Privacy: New Hanover County commissioners will review a $219,000 Flock Safety contract after residents protested surveillance cameras. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reported low E85 at $2.99 in Nash County and premium lows of $4.21 in New Hanover County for the week ending Aug. 8.

Tourism Recovery Watch: A new Mountain BizWorks survey finds 3 in 4 small businesses in Western North Carolina are still making less than before Tropical Storm Helene, with reduced tourism a key drag. Local Infrastructure: In Sylva, crews have started phase one of the long-delayed Highway 107 project after years of setbacks, beginning with utility relocations and water/sewer work. Air Travel Growth: Avelo’s second-year push at Lakeland Linder International shows passenger enplanements nearly quadrupled in 2025, and airport leaders say more route frequency—especially to Atlanta—could be next. Tech for Travelers: Apple Wallet digital driver’s licenses are expanding to more states, and North Carolina is set to support Wallet mobile IDs in early 2027. Community & Culture: The Bowers Mansion Bluegrass Festival returns for its 40th year this weekend, drawing regional acts to Bowers Mansion Regional Park. Public Safety & Privacy: A new “Have I Been Flocked” site lets drivers check whether their license plate was manually queried in Flock audit logs, fueling ongoing debate over automated license plate readers.

Severe Weather: A severe thunderstorm warning hit the Greenville-Spartanburg area, with radar-tracked storms bringing up to 60 mph wind gusts and hail near Hendersonville and other western NC communities. Coastal Resilience: Surf City signed a long-term partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to protect its shoreline, with engineers returning every six years for beach renourishment for decades. Tourism After Helene: A new report says Buncombe County visitor spending dipped from $2.65B (2024) to $2.6B (2025), citing lingering Tropical Storm Helene impacts. Health & Outdoors: UNC-led research finds ticks carrying Lyme disease are gaining ground in western North Carolina, raising concern for hikers and outdoor travelers. Road Access: Construction is set to begin on a key Polk County link, U.S. 176 between Saluda and Tryon, after Hurricane Helene left the gorge road closed. Local Travel Deals: GasBuddy reports the lowest regular gas in Vance County at $3.69/gal for the week ending Aug. 8. Craft Beverage: Stardust Cellars in North Wilkesboro won top honors in multiple categories at the 2026 NC Wine, Cider & Mead Competition.

North Carolina Wine, Cider & Mead Awards: Producers across the state brought home top honors in the 2026 N.C. Wine Competition, including Muscadine Cup winner Hinnant Family Vineyards, Vinifera Cup winner Sanctuary Vineyards, Mead Cup winner Honeygirl Meadery, and a Cider Cup tie between Noble Cider and Mill Camp Wines & Ciders. Family Travel & Road Trips: Buc-ee’s keeps expanding, opening its first Arkansas location in Benton and signaling more new travel-center stops ahead. Local Learning for Visitors & Residents: The NC Daniel Boone Heritage Trail is donating third-grade Daniel Boone books and teacher guides to elementary schools in Wilkes and several surrounding counties, funded through tourism and community partners. Rail Excursion in the Mountains: A Great Smoky Mountains Railroad special excursion is set for Sept. 26, departing from Bryson City and running through Western North Carolina scenery and the Nantahala Gorge. Pet-Friendly Community Moment: Guilford County Animal Services helped reunite a Greensboro-found dog with its Oklahoma owner after a 1,000-mile journey.

Tourism Economy Watch: North Carolina visitor spending hit a record $37.2 billion in 2025, but growth is slowing—up just 1.3% statewide, with Alamance County nearly flat (+0.4%) and the Asheville & Foothills region down 0.7% after Hurricane Helene impacts. Outer Banks Travel & Housing: An Outer Banks Hatteras cottage listed for $349,500 was lifted off the flood plain after Hurricane Matthew, now positioned above immediate flood risk. Local Ballot & Visitor-Friendly Parks: Dare and Currituck counties are asking voters in November for quarter-cent sales tax hikes, with Dare’s “Pennies for Parks” earmarked for parks upgrades and Currituck’s “Pennies for Progress” aimed at infrastructure and public safety. Family Fun & Education: Ashe County third graders will get a Daniel Boone children’s biography, with classroom sets donated to elementary schools in seven counties through the NC Daniel Boone Heritage Trail. Road Trip Reality Check (Gas Prices): GasBuddy reports several low-price pockets for travelers, including Nash midgrade at $3.79/gal and Northampton regular at $3.74/gal for the week ending Aug. 8. Outdoor Safety: Raleigh firefighters helped rescue a hiker who fell 50 feet on Grandfather Mountain; he was airlifted for treatment.

Retiree Travel Math: A new explainer warns that “no income tax” states can still hit retirees hard once property taxes and sales taxes are factored in—useful for anyone planning a North Carolina road-trip retirement route. Fly Fishing Culture: A guide to fly fishing pushes back on the “only for the wealthy” myth, stressing skill and knowledge over status—great inspiration for anglers visiting Western NC. Western NC Health Watch: A CDC-linked study finds many blacklegged ticks in a town near Asheville carry Lyme bacteria, raising concerns about diagnosis gaps and what families should watch for outdoors. Tourism & Community Meals: Transylvania County Schools keeps summer meals going with weekly home deliveries across rural routes—an on-the-ground look at how communities support visitors and residents alike. Local Visitor Stops: The Elvis Museum near Cherokee (free, seasonal hours) is spotlighted as a quirky roadside stop for travelers exploring the mountains. Gas Prices Check: GasBuddy reports show premium and regular prices shifting across counties, with several low points in the Aug. 8 week—handy for trip budgeting.

Public Health & Outdoors: A CDC-linked study found nearly 40% of blacklegged ticks collected in a town outside Asheville tested positive for the Lyme bacteria, raising concerns that many western NC clinicians were trained to treat Lyme as a “northern” problem. Western NC Travel Curiosity: Asheville-area “Strangeville” spotlights the Elvis Museum near Cherokee, run seasonally next to Littlejohn Campground with free admission. Family Travel & Summer Meals: Transylvania County Schools is still delivering free summer meals by van—hot lunches and breakfasts—across rural routes Monday through Thursday. Fuel Watch for Road Trips: GasBuddy reports the lowest premium gas in Lincoln County hit $4.17 (week ending Aug. 8), while Stokes County’s low was $4.39 and Duplin County’s E15 low was $3.18—useful for planning drives. Local Dining: Flavor Hills is closing its Downtown Raleigh and Durham locations effective immediately. Sports Tourism: UNC’s incoming freshman Sayon Keita cleared visa steps and is set to arrive in Chapel Hill Saturday.

Mobile IDs for travelers: NCDMV says North Carolinians will be able to store driver’s licenses and state IDs on their phones via the NC Wallet starting in Dec. 2026, with acceptance planned at TSA checkpoints (including RDU and Charlotte Douglas) and at NCDMV locations—aimed at smoother holiday travel. Wrightsville Beach bridge work: NCDOT is moving ahead with a $105M overhaul of three Wrightsville Beach bridges, using a new construction approach to finish by Spring 2030 while keeping two lanes on and off the island and adding pedestrian/cyclist upgrades. Tourism numbers: Halifax County reported $132.83M in visitor spending in 2025, up 0.8% from 2024, supporting 756 jobs and ranking fifth in total spending across the Northeast Prosperity Zone. Local events: Kinston’s Stonington Farms launches a Music Fest on Sept. 5, bringing country acts and cloggers to the 160-acre farm venue.

Wrightsville Beach Bridge Overhaul: NCDOT is using a new Construction Manager/General Contractor approach to speed up a $105M replacement of three Wrightsville Beach bridges, aiming to finish by Spring 2030 while keeping lanes open and adding upgrades for pedestrians and cyclists. Tourism Numbers: Halifax County tourism spending hit $132.83M in 2025, up 0.8% from 2024, supporting 756 jobs, while Henderson County tourism rose to $453.34M in 2025, up 3.6% post-Hurricane Helene. Emergency Preparedness: Stanly County opened an $87M emergency training center with a mock river and flooded village to help North Carolina first responders practice deadly flood rescues. Food Safety & Travel: The FDA is traveling to Mexico to continue its cyclosporiasis investigation tied to Taylor Farms lettuce, coordinating with Mexican regulators as the outbreak review continues. Local Culture & History: Wilmington is getting a highway marker honoring pioneering Black lawyer George L. Mabson, with a public dedication planned. Family-Friendly Sports: Ashe County released its 2026 football schedule, including a season-opening home slate and a nonconference trip to Tennessee.

Gas Prices & Travel Costs: The national average for regular gas is back up to about $4.07 after a week of declines, with crude oil hovering around the $80 range—good news for drivers, but a reminder that summer road-trip budgets can swing fast. Tourism Spending (NC): New county figures show $1.08B in 2025 visitor spending across Catawba, Burke, Caldwell, Iredell and Alexander, with Iredell leading at $441.37M and Alexander the only drop. Western NC Recovery: A new survey finds many small businesses in WNC are still at or below pre-Helene revenue, showing tourism’s rebound is uneven. Outdoor & Local Fun: A cycling club’s volunteer-built trail network is expanding in Lexington, with the Ridge Cycle Hub now featuring about 10 miles of trails. Family-Friendly Community: Martin County’s annual Back to School Bash in Robersonville drew families with supplies, food, booths, and activities—another sign of tourism-adjacent community momentum. Health Alert for Travelers: FDA says the largest cyclospora outbreak linked to iceberg lettuce now involves 17 states, including North Carolina.

Tourism Economy: North Carolina’s visitor spending rose in 59 of 100 counties in 2025, with the mountains showing resilience after Hurricane Helene and the state’s tourism industry generating $37.2 billion overall. Local Impact: Pender County reported $203.08 million in visitor spending in 2025, supporting 1,051 jobs and generating millions in state and local tax revenue. Mountain Events: Ashe County’s 36th annual Blue Ridge Brutal returns Aug. 15 with 25-, 50-, 70- and 100-mile rides plus a downtown Jefferson street festival. Travel Ideas (WNC): Road-trip inspiration highlights Western North Carolina film locations, from Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain to Asheville and DuPont State Forest. Health & Travel Safety: North Carolina surpassed 900 cyclosporiasis cases, with 39 new cases reported since Aug. 4 and no new hospitalizations. Gas Watch: GasBuddy price checks show premium and midgrade deals shifting across counties, with statewide averages easing in recent weeks.

Mountain Dining: Swannanoa’s recovery gets a boost with Daymakers Slider Bar, a farm-to-table spot from Chef Brian Crow (Chestnut) and White Duck Taco’s Richard King, serving local produce, NC beef and cheeses. PGA Tour & Tourism: Greensboro’s Wyndham Championship is rebranding for 2028 as “GO by Raymond James” and moving into the PGA Tour’s top-tier Championship Series, a major draw for visitors. Sports Travel: The PGA Tour’s return to Asheville this fall is already rippling into local culture, with the Asheville Gallery of Art partnering with the Biltmore Championship to pull in tourists. Local Events: Charlotte Pride returns for its 26th annual Uptown festival and parade this weekend, with festivities at First Ward Park. Family Travel & Campus Moves: UNCW welcomes its Class of 2030 with a smoother, five-day move-in plan designed to cut congestion. Outdoor & Food Safety Angle: A North Carolina-focused food-and-gardening op-ed argues for growing leafy greens locally to reduce reliance on long-distance produce supply chains.

PGA Tour Spotlight: Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club event is getting a major upgrade—moving to the PGA Tour’s top-tier Championship Series in 2028 as “GO by Raymond James,” with the tournament set for Aug. 5–8 next year. Coastal & Wildlife: New research says ocean warming is shifting shark habitats and travel patterns, meaning sightings may change by location even if overall numbers don’t. Outer Banks Access: An electric ferry team is exploring new passenger routes linking Ocracoke and Buxton with mainland stops like Vandemere, Engelhard and Belhaven—aimed at adding another way to reach the Outer Banks. Family Travel & Campus Life: UNCW kicked off freshman move-in for the Class of 2030 with a smoother, five-day schedule and time slots to reduce congestion. Local Culture: Charlotte Pride returns for its 26th annual festival and parade in Uptown this weekend. Workforce News: The NC Department of Labor recovered a record $3.7M in unpaid wages for workers across 89 counties.

Outdoor & Travel Recovery: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy says 5.5 miles of the Appalachian Trail reopened at Iron Mountain Gap on the NC–TN border after Helene debris removal, restoring a key hiking corridor that supports local lodging and outfitters. River Recreation Alert: NCDOT is moving Asheville’s I-26 Connector work into the French Broad River and will narrow safe travel lanes up to 50% at points via a temporary causeway—tubers, kayakers and canoers should follow posted lanes and use Craven Street if you’re less experienced. Aviation & Visitor Safety: An American Airlines flight from Myrtle Beach to Charlotte returned after a bird strike caused engine flames shortly after takeoff; 172 passengers were onboard. Family Summer Fun: SECU awarded a record 466 North Carolina youth scholarships totaling $233,000 for summer camps, reaching kids across 91 counties. Local Nightlife Oversight: Wilmington is joining a statewide Sociable Cities pilot to improve nightlife safety and coordination across alcohol regulation, public safety, transportation and tourism. Gas Watch: GasBuddy reports the lowest midgrade price in Craven County at $3.94/gal for the week ending Aug. 1.

Outdoor & Events: Ashe County’s 36th annual Blue Ridge Brutal Bike Ride returns Aug. 15 with 25/50/70/100-mile routes and a downtown Jefferson street festival—plus proceeds supporting local scholarships. Tourism Spotlight: Asheville is ranked No. 9 nationally for “relaxing” stays in a new Airbnb review analysis, topping North Carolina for relaxation/value. Local Travel & Culture: A four-generation Elizabethtown shop, Leinwand’s Department Store, keeps drawing visitors from nearby White Lake and Whiteville with its hometown stories and legacy. Family-Friendly Funding: Ledford High and Eastern Alamance High both earned $5,000 through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights, with chances to compete for bigger prizes. Visitor Safety & Access: The Park Service is removing downed trees near the Blue Ridge Parkway after Helene, but a petition urges it to pause over concerns about salvage work. Travel Watch: American Airlines made an emergency return to Myrtle Beach after a bird strike caused engine flames; passengers were not injured. Trip Planning Note: A partial solar eclipse is set to be visible across parts of the U.S., including North Carolina, on Aug. 12.