Last Updated on September 3, 2026 8:07 am
Blowing Rock is having a busy end of summer, with national recognition, active road construction, new grant funding and a hotel reopening all making news in the Town Manager's latest updates.
National recognition
Blue Ridge Country Magazine readers voted Blowing Rock a winner in several “Best of the Mountains” categories, with more than 37,000 votes cast across the contest. The town was also featured in a glowing write-up in Travel + Leisure Magazine, a worldwide publication.
NCDOT median work on US 321
NCDOT construction is underway on the median along US 321 in front of Speedway, with contractors extending the median beyond the entrance to the sewer plant as part of the project. The work is expected to wrap within about a week, with a target completion date of Sept. 4 or earlier. During construction, both northbound and southbound traffic will be restricted to one lane through the work zone. Motorists are encouraged to use caution, allow extra travel time and watch for changing traffic patterns.
$400,000 grant for Middle Fork Greenway Trail
Town Council accepted an additional $400,000 in federal grant funds to help build a portion of the Middle Fork Greenway Trail, stretching from the trailhead at Shoppes on the Parkway to the Foley Center. The town is working with Blue Ridge Conservancy on the project.
Holiday Inn grand reopening
The Holiday Inn celebrated its grand reopening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday evening.
Upcoming community meeting
The Blowing Rock Civic Association will host a Community Fire Safety, Awareness & Recovery Meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 5 p.m. at the American Legion Building, following an Aug. 19 community meeting on law enforcement that included a patrol vehicle demonstration and a crime and traffic statistics overview from Chief Kirk.
