Uniting and Serving Blue Ridge Parkway Gateway Communities

Blue Ridge Rising brings communities together to grow Parkway-related travel, tourism, and related economic development.

What is Blue Ridge Rising?

Regional Solutions for Gateway Communities

Blue Ridge Rising marks the first time in the Parkway’s 90-year history that anyone has brought together all 29 Parkway counties in Virginia and North Carolina to determine shared goals, needs, opportunities, and solutions. The resulting Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan provides the blueprint for turning that shared vision into specific strategies. Explore this site to learn more and to find out how you can help.

explore THE PLAN

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Projects

The Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan contains dozens of strategies organized across six key themes. Click on the themes below to learn more about recent accomplishments and next steps.

Explore PROJECTS

Focus Areas

Marketing

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Visitor
Experience

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Unified
Regional Voice

Resource
Protection

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Workforce 
Education

Capacity
Building

Browse Available Funding

Grants and donations make it possible for us to secure project consultants and other assistance and to launch grant/subaward programs to support local implementation of regional strategies. Any and all opportunities for contracts/subcontracts and grants/subawards will be posted on BlueRidgeRising.com. For easy access to any open calls for proposals or applications, please click on these links.

VIEW CONTRACT RFPs VIEW GRANT PROGRAMS

Events & Deadlines

Don’t miss out on these events and other important dates.

See all events

6/02/2026

June 02nd

9:00am

Summit Registration

Registration is now open for the 2026 Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit, August 25-27 at Biltmore in Asheville, N.C. Enjoy inspiring keynote speakers, learn new…

8/25/2026

August 25th

12:00pm

Pre-Summit Field Trips

We’re putting together several fun and educational field trips that will highlight innovative efforts in travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation in the Asheville area. Field…

8/26/2026

August 26th

10:00am

2026 Blue Ridge Rising Two-State Summit

Please join us August 26-27 at Biltmore in Asheville, N.C., to enjoy inspiring keynote speakers, learn new ideas and approaches, find out the latest updates…

Don’t Miss Out

Keep up with Blue Ridge Rising news, events, funding, and more, when you sign up for our e-newsletter.

"Investing in the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan is an investment in the future of the Blue Ridge Parkway, our local communities, and the broader Southern Appalachian region."

- Corrina Ruffieux

Executive Director
Haywood County Tourism Development Authority

Current Needs

As we implement the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan, we continually seek out information, contacts, guidance, and other assistance. See how you can help right now.

FIND AND FILL A NEED