Chefs, mixologists, and hotel managers are sharing their stories in an effort to rebuild the industry they love after COVID-19. From a restaurant hostess turned general manager in Wrightsville Beach, to a Marine veteran who found a new calling in hotel service, the message behind the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association’s (NCRLA) campaign “Serving Careers” has clearly resonated. Since its launch in October 2023, it’s directly led to 687,084 job applications at restaurants and hotels across the state.
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During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grandfather Mountain experienced record visitation. People escaped to the nature park, famous for its Mile High Swinging Bridge, seeking fresh air, exercise, and unique experiences. Attendance increased by nearly 30% from 2019 to 2021. But not everyone could take part.
The value of North Carolina’s public gardens was never more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus spread and threatened the safety of indoor activities, many people turned to the outdoors. Attendance nearly doubled at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.
“People found the Arboretum as a refuge, as a place to get peace during the pandemic, to reconnect with nature,” says Deputy Director Drake Fowler.
The North Carolina Transportation Museum was just coming off a record-setting year when the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down in March 2020. This sprawling 60-acre historic site known for its raucous attractions, including train rides and fire truck festivals, fell silent for months before opening to limited capacity. Its biggest annual event, the Polar Express, was canceled that winter and despite creative outdoor-only activities like a drive-thru light display, attendance fell by 70%. At the same time, the museum still had to pay its bills.
Update: Since this story was published in 2022, the Rural Transformation Grant Fund has served 116 communities across the state through grants, training, and strategic planning programs for a total of 186 projects. Newton is now in the final phase of its revitalization project and anticipates completion by Spring 2025.