Old Fort, NC Sees Hopeful Revival After Setbacks
OLD FORT, N.C. – In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town of Old Fort is showing its spirit. Despite facing tough times, the community is working hard to bring back its economy and sense of togetherness.
Recently, the town welcomed hundreds for the FloatLife Fest, a gathering for people who enjoy riding motorized Onewheel boards. This event brought much-needed money and positive energy to Old Fort, which is still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene last year.
Jess Jones, a visitor from Scotland, praised the warm welcome she received, saying it made her want to return. The fact that the festival happened at all shows how beautiful the area is and how strong the people are.
Old Fort, named after a fort from the Revolutionary War, is in a beautiful spot. It’s using its natural attractions to bring in tourists. This includes hiking, horseback riding, and especially mountain biking.
The town faced a setback when Ethan Allen, a furniture company, closed its factory and laid off workers in 2019. However, leaders saw this as a chance to focus on the area’s natural beauty and create a tourism-based economy.
Kim Effler, from the McDowell Chamber of Commerce, explained that local leaders came together to figure out how to use the area’s natural assets to create jobs.
Things were looking up, with new businesses opening as more trails were created. But then Hurricane Helene hit, washing away trails and hurting businesses.
Chad Schoenauer, who owns a bike shop in town, said that the storm “hit the reset button.” The town is working to rebuild, but many people still don’t realize that Old Fort is open for business.
The storm caused the Catawba River and Mill Creek to flood, leaving downtown under water. Schoenauer’s shop was damaged, and he faced significant losses.
Casey McKissick, who runs the Foothills Watershed mountain biking area, also suffered damage. The storm destroyed a newly built septic field and caused other losses.
The damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a popular tourist attraction, has also made it harder for visitors to return. Many miles of the parkway are closed for repairs, which is hurting local businesses.
While Governor Josh Stein announced record tourism spending in the state, the counties affected by Helene have not seen the same success.
Despite these challenges, the people of Old Fort are determined to rebuild. They are reopening trails, repairing businesses, and welcoming visitors back to their town.
Schoenauer reopened his bike shop, but he said that business is still slow. McKissick reopened the Watershed complex, but without some of the planned features.
The people of Old Fort are learning from the past and are ready to face the future with strength and hope. They are working to protect their town and create a strong community for years to come.
