According to Karina Petersen, spokesperson for Samaritan's Purse, the relief organization placed a $1,493,100 bid at the Watauga County Courthouse on Thursday, Aug. 30 to purchase the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock. 

Wells Fargo had purchased the Hayes Center in a public auction at the courthouse on Aug. 21 after foreclosure proceedings. 

According to Petersen, Samaritan's Purse's bid represents the minimum five percent increase of Wells Fargo's initial bid. 

The Samaritan's Purse bid falls within the 10-day "upset bid" window after the foreclosure auction. Now, another 10-day upset bid period will take place until September 10, allowing other parties interested in purchasing the Hayes Center an opportunity to purchase it.