Learn from a Local, Live Like a Local program aims to humanize the valley, and shine a spotlight on locals.

The need to reconnect has become a persistent theme over the last two years. The parameters of living within a pandemic; from social distancing to quarantining, and working from home; are the very things driving an intense need to restore a bond to ourselves, to one another, and to the Mt. Washington Valley.

As the world navigates a shift in the lifestyle paradigm, Mt. Washington Valley specifically is also working to find balance in its new reality.  With an influx in visitors, and second-home owners, and staffing and supply challenges facing the local business community; now more than ever is the need to support local economy paramount.

For these reasons, the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce has launched the “Learn from a Local, Live Like a Local Campaign.” Featured on its website, and throughout its digital media presence, this local program currently highlights six locals who represent different facets of life in Mt. Washington Valley.

This program aims to humanize the valley to remind all who spend their time in Mt. Washington Valley, that it is not just a tourism destination, but also the home to over 30,000 residents encompassing 26 communities in two states. Each local highlights their reasons as to why they love living in Mt. Washington Valley, how they like to spend their days off in the valley, and what being part of its community means to them - which includes their philanthropic initiatives as well.

The six locals currently featured include Danni Rassi, of Wicked Fresh Burgers and Fire by Wicked Fresh; the Bellis-Bennett Family of Cranmore Inn; Tyler Ray of Granite Backcountry and Granite Outdoor; Hilary McCloy of Hilary McCloy Physical Therapy; Emily Smith-Mossman of North Country Cares and North Country Fair Jewelers; and Darci the Adventure Pup of Conway Area Humane Society.

“The Chamber is proud of this program, and feels honored to work with the locals who have graciously agreed to participate,” says Assistant Director Michelle Cruz. “Driving our connection deeper with our local community is a cornerstone of the Chamber’s value system, and we recognize that the community would not be where it is today without the dedication and hard work of the individuals who live here.”

The hope is to inspire those who are looking to become residents of the valley, and visitors alike that the more they invest and integrate into the Mt. Washington Valley community, the more local they will become. “Learn from a Local, Live Like a Local,” currently features six locals, but the opportunity to feature more does exist. As this program matures, the Chamber hopes to expand it to bring even more attention to the hard-working community members who run businesses, fundraise for non-profits, work to maintain trails, teach, and more.

To view each local, visit www.visitmwv.com, and be sure to follow the Mt. Washington Valley Chamber on social media, where you can find individual profiles shared on a regular basis; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtwashingtonvalleynh, and instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitmtwashingtonvalley/