In this week’s roundup of local business news, Jacqueline Grant of Roberts & Stevens is named president of the N.C. Bar Association, Mountain BizWorks announces new classes, Pardee UNC Health Care names three new board members and more.
Seasonal workers swap security for adventure
“It feels like a migration of birds,” says Eli Mills, seasonal employee at the North Carolina Outward Bound School. “Every year we come up on the mountain in the very early spring, and slowly, people start trickling in from whatever adventure or work they’ve had over the last few months.”
Area economy continues growth, low unemployment
Positive economic news keeps coming, with Buncombe County boasting the state’s lowest unemployment rate for 38 consecutive months, and numbers showing strong growth in most sectors of the local economy.
Asheville Workplace Challenge highlights local companies’ environmental leadership
In conjunction with the work of the Energy Innovation Task Force, the Asheville Workplace Challenge aims to expand participation and engagement in the program, which recognizes the efforts of local companies as they do their part to create a more sustainable future.
Armed with data, local groups aim to boost minority business ownership
A new study sponsored by a coalition of local organizations and funded by Mountain BizWorks and the City of Asheville identifies a long list of markets where Asheville has room for local expansion. The New Economy Coalition hopes to use the study to boost the number of minority-owned businesses in Western North Carolina.
Mission Health sale could create massive community nonprofit
HCA’s purchase price for the system, plus Mission’s remaining net cash and investments, would fund a nonprofit foundation specifically devoted to boosting public health in the region. At a meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners, President and CEO Ron Paulus claimed that the new organization’s assets, which could range from $1 billion to $2 billion depending on the final sale price, would make it one of the three largest foundations in North Carolina and the richest foundation per capita anywhere on the planet.
County approves GE incentives, launches new early childhood ed initiatives
Though breaking news about new Wanda Greene indictments made it hard for elected officials and members of the public to focus on anything else, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved $685,000 in incentives for a planned local investment by GE Aviation and announced two new early childhood education initiatives during its meeting on June 5.
Planning, permitting focus of spring city manager’s development forum
Roughly 80 attendees had lunch on the city while hearing updates related to development, design and construction at the May 17 city manager’s development forum. City officials said permitting activity is significantly lower in the current fiscal year than last year.
Behind the food scene: A network of diverse businesses keeps Asheville’s restaurant industry cooking
A surprisingly diverse community of businesses collaborate with Western North Carolina’s hospitality sector through the Mountain Area Restaurant Vendors nonprofit group.
Mission Health sale, policing top conversation at CIBO breakfast meeting
Mission Health President and CEO Dr. Ron Paulus sees system expansion through mergers as a nearly inevitable survival tactic in the current healthcare environment. “There are many leaders — not me, but Mayo Clinic and others — that believe within 25 years, there will be maybe four or five health systems in the U.S.,” he said.
NPR’s Bob Boilen headlines the Creative Sector Summit
The keynote address from the NPR host and panel discussions with local music industry representatives and advocates explore the arts’ economic impact on the Asheville area.
Groups dynamic: WNC cooking schools turn up the heat with culinary team-building experiences
Many area cooking schools now offer programming that caters to meeting planners and organizations looking for an outside-the-box option for team building.
Off-kilter
ASHEVILLE
Regulators approve lower-than-requested Duke Energy rate increase, impose coal ash penalty
The N.C. Utilities Commission today approved a rate increase requested by Duke Energy Progress. As approved, Duke may charge an average increase of 7.09 percent. The electricity provider also received permission to increase the basic monthly customer charge for residential customers from $11.13 to $14.
Urgent care growing in WNC
Urgent care centers are a hot health care trend nationwide and in Western North Carolina. With the recent arrival of new urgent care facilities and more in the works, Xpress looks at where these facilities are and what needs they serve.
Mt. Zion must wait to build new education facility
Relations between Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church and its new neighbor, Asheville Foundry Inn, have been strained since construction began on the inn two years ago. A judge has now issued a temporary injunction to block the church from commencing construction on a new education building and parking lot improvements, which the hotel says would deprive it of the use of 75 parking spaces it is leasing from the church.
Navigating WNC’s long-term care options
Few words have the ability to inspire more fear, frustration and trepidation among older Americans across the country than “nursing home.” But for those confronting the prospect of needing long-term care, a variety of care options and support services across Western North Carolina provides information to help residents find the best care available.
Historic Grove House sold to Ohio investors for $2.9M
The historic Grove House Entertainment Complex at 11 Grove St. off Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville has been sold to Ohio-based real estate investors global X for $2.9 million.
Can downtown Asheville stay weird?
As Asheville’s ever-increasing popularity has piqued the interest of big hotel chains and other corporate enterprises, it’s also triggered fears of homogenization and loss of essential character, raising the question: Can Asheville stay weird?
Shops across WNC mend items big and small
Some fix saddles, while others service slot machines. Shoes, shirts and cameras are also on the table at several esoteric repair shops scattered throughout Asheville and Western North Carolina.
Rock shops embrace Earth’s aesthetic and energy
Asheville’s a crystal town, and rock shops flourish here. In the Grove Arcade, Enter the Earth sells stickers declaring “Crystal Toting Tree Hugger,” and many locals and tourists alike take pride in that characterization. The city’s rock shops appeal to those seeking healing, geological knowledge — and even just something sparkly.