All businesses will receive free Web listing

From staff reports

A comprehensive online listing of all business in the High Country will be the result of a major effort by the Web sites associated with Mountain Times Publications.

This includes WataugaDemocrat.com, MountainTimes.com, BlowingRocket.com and other sites.

When completed, people will be able to access almost complete business information through a “search” feature to be included with the High Country Marketplace feature, which will be accessed through any of the Web sites of Mountain Times Publications.

All businesses in Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties will eventually be contacted to verify free information for the listings. The initial phase will involved Watauga County and Banner Elk businesses, then branch out to include all businesses in the three counties.

Bruce Morrison, publisher of Mountain Times Publications, said Watauga Democrat and Mountain Times staffers will contact businesses over the next several weeks to verify business names, addresses, phone numbers, hours of operation, credit cards accepted by the businesses, and other general information. The free listings will also include a photograph of the business and a map showing its location.

“High Country Marketplace will be a valuable tool for all who need comprehensive information on what products and services are available locally, what restaurants are open at certain hours, what credit cards they accept and much, much more,” Morrison said. “All we’re doing right now is verifying information.”

Morrison said businesses will be given the opportunity at a later date to further upgrade and expand the Marketplace listings, which could include videos, additional photos and more information promoting businesses.

Anyone with questions about High Country Marketplace may call (828) 264-6397.