HIGH POINT— The North Carolina General Assembly has approved $725,000 in funding for the High Point Market Authority to implement additional measures to ensure the health and safety of attendees for the upcoming Fall Market, scheduled for October 13-21, 2020.
The funding, received as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), stipulates recipients must use the funds for COVID-19-specific activities. The Market Authority will utilize the funds to implement additional safeguards and measures aimed at mitigating COVID-19 exposure risk while on-site during Market.
“We are committed to creating a safe environment for our attendees, our staff, and our community, but that will come with a hefty price tag at a time when our budget is already strained due to impending funding cuts from our community partners,” said Tom Conley, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “This support from the state is crucial for us to be able to execute thoroughly all the suggested safety guidelines so that health and safety priorities remain paramount.”
“We are immensely grateful to Representative John Faircloth and the Guilford County delegation for their long-standing support of High Point Market and their assistance in securing these needed funds,” said Dudley Moore, Jr., chairman of the High Point Market Authority’s board and president of Otto & Moore.
The first part of the Market Authority’s plan was announced several weeks ago, expanding the Fall Market dates to allow for social distancing and to encourage the spread of attendees in preparation for expected reduced capacity guidelines within buildings.
“We have an extraordinary challenge before us to prepare properly for Fall Market, ensuring all corners of the Market district are executing the suggested safety guidelines, expanding our shuttle system and temporary staffing to accommodate a 9-day event, outfitting our support services with the proper safety equipment, ordering the needed sanitation supplies, etc. But it’s a challenge gladly accepted if it means the state’s largest economic event can occur in person this fall in a safe manner,” said Conley.
Additional planning is ongoing in regards to the health and safety measures that will be in effect this fall, per the guidance of the CDC and local medical authorities. Further details such as increased sanitation and cleaning efforts, social distancing requirements, and enhanced medical services will be shared as plans develop.
Registration for Fall Market will open in mid-July at www.highpointmarket.org.
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