Explore Asheville press release:
Explore Asheville is partnering with community organizations to launch Love Asheville From Afar, an initiative that connects the global community with Asheville area and Buncombe County small businesses and creatives to support regional economic recovery. This website allows users to shop from stores with online retail options, buy gift cards for future use, and directly donate to businesses, artists, and nonprofit organizations. Businesses located in or selling from Buncombe County can participate by completing this submission form. “We are committed to supporting the livelihood and vitality of Asheville’s small business owners,” said Vic Isley, President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “The Love Asheville from Afar initiative allows people to support our local economy even when they can’t visit in person.”
More than 300 local businesses were listed at the time of launch last weekend, and more will be added regularly. The campaign is a collaboration between Explore Asheville, the Asheville Downtown Association, Go Local Asheville, the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR), ArtsAVL, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Made by Mountains WNC, Mountain Bizworks, and JD Ellison and Company. The Love Asheville From Afar initiative can be found at www.LoveAshevilleFromAfar.com.
“October is a pivotal month for artists in the Asheville area. Sales made this month alone help many creatives make it through to February,” said Katie Cornell, Executive Director of Arts AVL. “It’s crucial that we get our artists back to work as soon as possible, or else we will lose them.”
Explore Asheville is also in the process of developing the Always Asheville Fund to provide emergency grants—not loans—to small, independent travel and hospitality businesses in Asheville and across Buncombe County. Explore Asheville has committed $300,000 from revenue earned on the Explore Asheville website to start the fund. Donations are being accepted to grow the fund and increase the support granted to Buncombe County business applicants at www.AlwaysAshevilleFund.com.
This support is crucial, as FEMA reports that 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a disaster. Since 2001, Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority have provided $96 million in grants to more than 50 community projects and $5 million in grants to nearly 400 small travel and hospitality businesses through the Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund. Notably, 90% of the businesses receiving these grants remained open four years later.
“The purpose of these initiatives is to ensure our community has the jobs and financial opportunities to thrive, ensuring that they’ll be here when Asheville reopens its doors to mindful tourism,” Isley added.
Love Asheville From Afar, the Always Asheville Fund, travel advisories, and local business and employee resources can be found at always.exploreasheville.com.
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