The Watauga County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the movement to help buy the land on which Tweetsie operates during a public hearing held on Monday evening.

Two residents spoke against the county helping Tweetsie finance land.  One of these residents said Tweetsie’s owners and stockholders knew about needed renovations years ago and did nothing about it.

Although two residents spoke out against the movement, six residents spoke out in favor of the county’s assistance.  Supporters of the movement included Mayor of Blowing Rock, J.B. Lawrence, owner of Tweetsie Railroad, Chris Robbins, and members of local chambers of commerce, development, and tourism groups.

County Chairman, Jim Deal, made it clear that this movement was not a giveaway.  Deal said this was a good way to invest county funds.  Deal said the county must look at the long-term interest as opposed to the one-day interest.  Deal went on to say that if the deal with Tweetsie goes bad, Watauga County would still own the land, and could sell it for profit.

Tweetsie will have 6 years to pay Watauga County back for the land.  If the theme park fails to pay the county back in this time, they will be forced to pay the money back plus interest.