Greater
Banner Elk Heritage Foundation
The GBEHF is a charitable and
philanthropic entity, which devotes its energies
and funds in an endeavor to protect the heritage
of the greater Banner Elk area and strives to
ensure that the infrastructure and cosmetic
appearance of Banner Elk remains appealing to
our local residents and visitors while retaining
the "small town" atmosphere. The heritage of the
Greater Banner Elk area will be recorded and
maintained by the Foundation for future
generations.
Reasons for Being
Banner Elk is a small village in the Mountains
of Western North Carolina with a limited tax
base of only ~900 residents. It is mostly
landlocked preventing any significant growth.
Consequently, the village has very limited
resources to spend on improving its
infrastructure and appearance. The village and
area are destinations for visitors attracted to
Beech, Sugar, and Grandfather Mountains, plus
other recreational facilities.
The primary source of revenue to make these
improvements is an occupancy tax imposed on
overnight visitors. This tax is not sufficient
to make the needed improvements in a timely
manner.
With these identified needs, the Banner Elk
Tourism Development Authority (TDA), which
collects and disburses the occupancy tax, voted
to fund the start up of the Foundation. This
seed money and numerous donations launched The
Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation.
The Greater Banner
Elk
Heritage Foundation |
| Board Members |
| President |
Martha Jo Beasley |
| Vice President |
Ciny Brown |
| Secretary |
Judy Hilsmier |
| Treasurer |
Jane Stephenson |
| Immediate Past
President |
Mary Elder Frisbie |
Ed Hardin
Herbert (Bud) Hahn Sylvia Hahn
Anne Shinn
Barbara Cornett
Deka Tate |
Charlie B. VonCannon
Steve Chandler
Frank Bragg
Stu Strait |
| Office Manager |
Caitlin E. Morehouse |
The position of President was passed from
Mary Frisbie to Martha Beasley in March 2010. |
