Editing Watauga County, North Carolina (section)

==Economy==
Some notable examples of the county's economy are:
* The county produces significant amounts of [[Fraser fir]] [[Christmas tree]]s.
* The growth of produce was once a mainstay in the agricultural economy of the county. [[Cabbage]] was once widely grown, so much so, that a [[sauerkraut]] plant was once located in Boone. The plant has long been closed. Boone Creek, the main creek that runs through Boone and the Appalachian State University campus is still nicknamed Kraut Creek since it is said that the creek used to smell of sauerkraut juice coming out of the plant.
* The Watauga County Farmers' Market has been operating in Boone since 1974.
* The Beech Mountain Resort is one of the few ski resorts operating in the Southeastern United States.
* Appalachian State University is a major economic driver for the county and the region as a whole, generating US$2.2 billion in statewide impact and US$573 million in local impact as of 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.goldenshovelagency.com |first=-Golden Shovel Agency |title=App State's annual economic impacts: $2.2 billion staewide, $573 million locally |url=https://www.caldwelledc.org/caldwell/news/p/item/54386/app-states-annual-economic-impacts-22-billion-staewide-573-million-locally |access-date=December 26, 2023 |website=www.caldwelledc.org |language=en}}</ref>