Episode Details

Segment 3, October 12th, 2024

We’ve heard the stories of disaster in regards to Helene.  We’ve also heard about recovery & communities coming together to aid. Sara Bell founded Green River Adventures in 2006 & later added The Gorge Zipline to the portfolio of adventure & recreation in Saluda, NC.  This community in Polk County, NC, was impacted by the rising water of the Green River & felled trees throughout.
Sara took time out of the recovery efforts, tree & debris covered roadways to speak with host Bill Bartee about the storm, the recovery, & the future of small business in Polk County.

Sara Bell

Show Highlights:

• The Green River Gorge is located south of Asheville, NC & north of Greenville, SC
• Its 18,000 acres of state game land along with a mix of private property & the Upper Green (Class III Whitewater), The Narrows (Class V Whitewater), and the Lower Green (Class I & less) makes up the river.
• A series of landslides collected the extreme amount of water, then swept it away blowing out the river, & sweeping homes, property, & more down the river
• Each day brings new hope from the initial despair.  The Green River Adventures Outpost has acted as a community collection & recovery area
• NCDOT is working towards improving the roads which will allow for small business to recover
•  Recovery now includes most power is restoration & rebuilding
• Polk County Community Foundation has four different funds with different areas to distribute:  Immediate aid, Rebuilding/Construction, Green River Restoration, & the Pacolet Valley Restoration.
• Surprisingly The Gorge Zipline area didn’t take big hit physically.  If transportation & roadways are improved they may be open this fall (2024).  This is important for the support & success of a small business.
  

Things You’ll Learn by Listening:

Gifts are totally tax free & go completely to the recovery and support efforts.  Bell is encouraged and optimistic regarding the opening of The Gorge Zipline this fall.  Its success impacts the local commun