With modest job gains, the Asheville metropolitan area saw unemployment drop to 7.5 percent in November — the second-lowest in the state — while unemployment in Buncombe County declined to 7.2 percent, according to numbers released by the state’s Division of Employment Security.
Tag: business
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What’s the Big Idea? Some thoughts for Asheville in 2012
For its next two issues, Xpress will feature an array of “Big Ideas” for 2012 from local notables, citizens, politicians, activists, artists and more. Here’s a peek at some of the ideas. What’s your big idea for Asheville in the year to come?
Job fair brings over 2,000 seeking work
More than 2,000 seekers flooded employers at Biltmore Square Mall for the annual Homecoming Job Fair.
Asheville Chamber signs deal to sell 45% of its Montford office to Lenoir-Rhyne University (UPDATED)
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has signed a contract to sell 45 percent of the Chamber of Commerce building at 36 Montford Ave. to Lenoir-Rhyne University, to be used as the Center for Graduate Studies of Asheville, according to an announcement today from Chamber CEO Kit Cramer.
Rumors still brewing: Latest Twitter dispatches on New Belgium’s interest in RAD
Rumors were flying on Twitter today, Dec. 21, about New Belgium Brewing’s ongoing interest in building a production facility in Asheville’s River Arts District.
Holiday gas prices up from last year, down from May high
At $3.26 a gallon, the average price of gasoline in Asheville this week is 28 cents higher than it was during the Christmas Holiday period last year, according to a new report by the AAA Carolinas.
Brews News: Sierra Nevada confirms they’re looking at Henderson County site
After a Dec. 14 meeting with the CEO of the California-based brewer Sierra Nevada, Asheville brewer Ken Schaller confirms that the company is looking at a 50-acre site on the French Broad River and that local brewers feel a bit more comfortable with the prospect. (photo by Max Cooper)
National study finds economic incentives don’t create jobs
North Carolina and other states across the country are spending billions of dollars on economic incentives. But a new study released Dec. 14 by Good Jobs First finds that many tax credits, grants and subsidies require little job creation and lack wage and benefit standards. The study by the nonprofit research organization comes amid heated local debate over the effectiveness and fairness of such deals, with the Hendersonville County Board of Commissioners voting just a couple of days ago to approve a massive incentives package for a company rumored to be Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Survey: Asheville area 13th worst in the nation for finding a job
A survey conducted by employment services ManpowerGroup and published on Forbes magazine’s website rates the Asheville metropolitan area the 13th worst in the country for finding a job, with a net employment outlook of 0 percent.
Henderson County commissioners pass incentives for unnamed company rumored to be Sierra Nevada
Tonight, Dec. 12, Henderson County commissioners voted to offer a $3.75 million economic-incentive package for an unnamed company; word is, that company is California-based craft brewer Sierra Nevada. (***This post was updated at 9:18 p.m. with more from the meeting***)
NC’s first solar vehicle charging station dedicated
Today, Dec. 12, federal, state, corporate and local officials dedicated the first of three Asheville solar electric vehicle charging stations.
Cool green: Asheville GreenWorks’ annual Environmental Excellence Awards
There’s no shortage of green-friendly businesses in Asheville, and this year’s Environmental Excellence Awards spotlight some notable examples.
They’ve got the golden ticket: Asheville gets a chocolate factory
Local chocolate makers Jael and Dan Rattigan of the French Broad Chocolate Lounge have made the cacao confection their life’s work — and they’re poised to take it to the next level (with video of the Rattigans — and chef Mark Rosenstein’s pyrotechnics — at a recent Blind Pig underground supper club event).
WNC a bittersweet challenge for maple syrup production
Every year, there’s something interesting at the Southern Appalachian Man and the Biosphere Conference, held Nov. 15-17 this year in Asheville. This time around, a local entrepreneur’s passion for harvesting maple syrup caught my attention.
Lorraine’s Jewelery & Antiques is closing after a decade in Asheville
Lorraine’s Jewelery & Antiques is closing after operating in downtown Asheville since 2001. “The tourists come to look at the leaves; they don’t come to look at the jewelry,” owner Brian Pottow said.
Foam ’n’ fizz: The evolution of WNC’s beer biz (The complete timeline)
As part of this week’s cover package on the local beer business, we prepared an extensive timeline of the high points in its evolution, from when the Smoky Mountain Brewery first opened its doors in 1993 in Waynesville to Asheville Brewing Company’s current plans to start offering the area’s first canned brews.
Foam ’n’ fizz
1993: Smoky Mountain Brewery opens in Waynesville. It closes four years later. 1994: Oscar Wong and John McDermott start Highland Brewing Co. in the basement of Barley's Taproom in downtown Asheville. 1997: The Blue Rooster, Asheville's first brewpub, opens next to Barley's featuring Highland beers exclusively. It closes a year later. Laughing Seed Café co-owner […]
Ripples
At Echoview Farm in Weaverville, hop bines curl upward toward the sun. Hops helps bring out the particular flavors in different styles of beer, owner Julie Jensen explains. And while Western North Carolina’s moist climate is not ideal for large-scale hops production, certain specialty varieties are being cultivated at Echoview, Hop’n Blueberry Farm and through […]
WNC poised for economic growth, panelists say at Advantage West event
Touting the success of Harrah’s Casino and such improvements as a state-of-the-art school and a rural broadband network undertaken by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian, panelists at Advantage West’s annual Economic Summit — including Vice Chief Larry Blythe, pictured — said that Western North Carolina has the ingredients to thrive. (photos by Max Cooper)
The Advantage West Economic Summit: Panelists offer their solutions to a tough economy
Views and solutions from Sen. Tom Apodaca, Sen. Martin Nesbitt, Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians Vice Chief Larry Blythe, and former WCU Chancellor John Bardo.
Asheville area unemployment dropped in September
Unemployment in the Asheville metropolitan area declined in September, from 8.4 to 8.1 percent. The local economy added about 800 jobs, with gains in the government sector offsetting losses in hospitality and trade.