“Homes for Heroes” lowers Realtor fee for veterans, other heroes buying/sel­ling homes

On Sunday afternoon, Asheville’s Patton Property Group held an Open House at 1 Norwood Park Avenue to promote its new Homes for Heroes program, which gives a 25 percent discount off the real estate commission to teachers, firefighters, public safety officers, health care workers, and military personnel looking to buy or sell a home in […]

Three Asheville area businesses among those honored as North Carolina’s “companies to watch”

Three Asheville area businesses are among the 25 named “North Carolina Companies to Watch” by CED and the Edward Lowe Foundation. Both are private, nonprofit organizations promoting entrepreneurial efforts in North Carolina. Hickory Nut Gap Farms, Moog Music, and FLS Energy are all slated to be honored at an awards ceremony September 21 in Durham.

Vision quest

Even in the midst of the Great Recession, some local businesses are doing quite well. What have they figured out that others haven’t? What can we learn from them? Here’s what three successful startups had to say about their own adventures on the road to economic viability. Industry Nine It might seem perfectly natural that […]

Video: Take a tour of Asheville’­s local bicycle wheel and hub-makers, Industry Nine

At a time when the local economy is sluggish, Industry Nine, designer and manufacturer or high-end bicycle hubs and wheels is thriving, with sales climbing 30 percent last year. Xpress takes you on a tour of this unique local business’s manufacturing process, going from raw aluminum, to finished hub, to wheel assembly.

Let the sun shine

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Aug. 2, 2011 meeting 2010-11 tax collections on track Carolina Ready Mix property rezoned Amid a tight economy, the Buncombe County commissioners are looking on the bright side. At their Aug. 2 meeting, they unanimously approved installing solar panels on Enka High School’s roof, with an eye toward saving both […]

Getaway: Star Watch Tours brings night vision stargazing to Asheville

Star Watch Night Vision Tours creator Dawn Bankson sums up the idea behind her business pretty succinctly: “The ancients used to look up at the sky, but we don’t,” she explains.  At it’s core, that’s what Star Watch is, a chance to look up at the sky. Of course, Star Watch adds a small twist to that rather ordinary experience: $3,500 night vision goggles.

Neighborho­od planning

Lee-Walker Heights isn't for sale, but Asheville officials have a plan to redevelop it. At their July 26 meeting, Asheville City Council members unanimously agreed to join the Housing Authority in applying for a $300,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant (formerly called HOPE VI), which provides funding for a variety of community revitalization projects — many […]

Neighborho­od planning: City, Housing Authority seek grant for Lee-Walker Heights rehab

Lee-Walker Heights isn’t for sale, but Asheville officials have a plan to redevelop it.

At their July 26 meeting, Asheville City Council members unanimously agreed to join the Housing Authority in applying for a $300,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant (formerly called HOPE VI), which provides funding for a variety of community revitalization projects — many aimed at creating mixed-income housing and stimulating homeownership among low-income residents.

Asheville City Council Preview: HUD Grant applicatio­ns, rezoning, and a massive Consent Agenda

If the agenda for tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting is any indicator, things could move along quickly at City Hall. Council is expected to take up a conditional zoning request for a portion of a lot containing Trinity United Methodist Church at 587 Haywood Road in West Asheville, a resolution supporting the city being a co-applicant with the Asheville Housing Authority for a Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grant, and a massive 19-item Consent Agenda