ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Smallholder Access Program certifies WNC forests
Less than 0.1% of all small woodlands are currently certified as responsibly managed, despite making up over 75% of all privately owned Southeast forests. The SAP pilot, a collaboration of forest product companies, the Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Alliance, is exploring how to bring those previously overlooked parcels into certified status.
Mixed messages mark Metro Economy Outlook
The longest economic party in U.S. history isn’t quite over yet, economist Bernard Baumohl told a capacity crowd at the Metro Economy Outlook hosted by the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 24. But fears of recession and “acts of human folly” clouded his assessment of otherwise strong market fundamentals.
Biz Briefs: Gibbins Advisors named independent monitor for Mission/HCA deal
On Oct. 31 — over nine months after N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein announced his conditions of approval for the sale of Mission Health to HCA Healthcare — one of those key conditions was met by the naming of Gibbins Advisors as the independent monitor of HCA’s compliance with the deal.
TDA approves $100,000 for Chow Chow festival
Last year, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority contributed $75,000 to Chow Chow through its event development incubator fund. Planning is underway for the festival’s second year, which has a projected budget of $700,000. The event is tentatively scheduled for Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 10-13, with final dates to be confirmed in November.
From CPP: Where is Mission Health’s independent monitor?
Nine months after the merger took effect, the public still has no idea whether a monitor has been chosen, what the firm’s name is, when it will start work and – importantly – who’s been minding the store to keep HCA and Mission Health accountable in the interim.
Duke deploys herbicide helicopters in WNC
Since Duke first began using the practice in WNC in 2016, said company spokesperson Jeff Brooks, helicopters under the utility’s direction have deployed herbicides across more than 500 acres. That number may increase in the future as Duke pursues what it calls “an effective alternative” to ground-based management of vegetation along power lines.
Mission Health unveils new North Tower
As the Western North Carolina community prepares for its first looks inside the new $400 million Mission Health North Tower, Xpress learned about some of the features of the facility, from high-tech touches to local art.
No Vacancy
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Futurist charts course for Asheville and Buncombe County
As she wrapped up her work on the AVL Greater and AVL 5×5 2025 plans in late September, we chatted with futurist Rebecca Ryan about her upcoming encore keynote address at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s WomanUP gala on Thursday, Nov. 18, what makes Asheville and Buncombe County different and how we’ll know if the area is on track to make good on the new strategies.
Pros and Cons
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Outdoor Economy Conference comes to Asheville
In its inaugural year, the conference on WNC’s outdoors industry sold out, with over 250 attendees. This year, it’s expected to more than double in attendance, largely thanks to the efforts of the Growing Outdoors Partnership. The event takes place on Thursday, Oct. 10, at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville.
Step Right Up
ASHEVILLE, .NC.
Asheville Regional Airport plans for future growth
Last year, AVL hosted over 1.13 million passengers, an 18.6% jump from 2017’s total and over 67% more travelers than used the airport five years prior. Tina Kinsey, the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority’s director of marketing, public relations and air service development, says the airport is now striving to manage its expansion and ensure its long-term path maintains a steady cruising altitude.
Biz briefs: Business Inclusion Office announces new name, office hours
The diversity of Western North Carolina’s business community comes through in this week’s business roundup. From a new luxury campground to equitable business contracting opportunities, check out what’s new.
Council members say no to new hotels for one year
Asheville City Council voted to halt hotel approvals for one year and will use the time to examine the impact of hotels on the community and develop new guidelines for hotel approval.
Expecting crowds, Council to meet Sept. 24 at U.S. Cellular Center
Asheville City Council is gearing up for a long night. Six public hearings are scheduled for the body’s regular meeting of Tuesday, Sept, 24 — including discussions of overturning Asheville’s state-imposed district election system, enacting a temporary hotel ban and approving a mixed-use hotel before that ban would go into effect. And if the change […]
Ad it Up!
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Create 72 Broadway decision delayed
The hotel project hearing is now tentatively scheduled for the same meeting in which Council members will vote on whether to implement a temporary ban on new hotel construction.
The quest for quiet dining
People with hearing difficulties or sensitivities often struggle in Asheville’s busy restaurants and other social settings.
BCTDA casts wider net with new advertising plan
The target audience for a new $11.5 million marketing campaign developed by Atlanta-based ad agency 360i includes 20 million more people than were reached by last year’s advertising for Asheville. New cities where ads will be shown include New York, Chicago, Birmingham and Columbus, Ohio.