Six western North Carolina nonprofits are among 28 state organizations that will share $5.85 million in grants from the N.C. Community Development Initiative over the next three years aiming to spark economic growth and job creation in some of the state’s most distressed areas.
Tag: business
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Blue Ridge Parkway releases first ever comprehensive management plan
The Blue Ridge Parkway’s new plan aims to provide guidance for perpetuating natural systems, preserving cultural resources, and providing opportunities for high-quality visitor experiences along the parkway for the next 20+ years. After more than 75 years since the parkway was established, this is its first comprehensive management plan.
Local Edge Radio co-founder Blake Butler passes the torch
After nearly four years hosting “Local Edge Radio,” Blake Butler stepped down recently to pursue other projects. On one of Butler’s last days on air, Xpress turned the tables on him, conducting an exit interview. Here are excerpts from that conversation.
Commissioners approve $350,000 in economic incentives for Reich, LLC
At its first meeting of the year, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved giving Reich, LLC, a German metal working company, $350,000 in county economic incentive grants to help fund expansions at its local facility in the Vista Industrial Park in Avery’s Creek.
Jobs increased in Asheville area in November, but so did unemployment
While the Asheville metropolitan area added jobs in November, unemployment rose as well, according to figures released by the state’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division.
Business resolutions for the new year
It’s the new year! And we all know what that means: the return of the “R” word, one that generally only gets thrown around this time of year. That’s right: resolutions. And as we all resolve to get in shape (again), the business owners who help us accomplish that goal are planning how to keep […]
Small-business snapshot
Four years after the economic collapse we’ve dubbed the Great Recession, how is the Western North Carolina economy doing? Mountain BizWorks checked in with some local Chamber of Commerce directors to get their big-picture take on the past year and their predictions for 2013.
Video: Buncombe employees serve as ‘layaway angels’
Some lucky local Kmart shoppers got a pleasant holiday surprise this week when a group of Buncombe County employees paid off their layaways.
Local gun stores struggle to keep up with ‘panic buying’
Driven by fears of new gun-control legislation, local firearms enthusiasts have engaged in what one gun shop employee called “panic buying” of guns, magazines and ammunition.
After the fall: Local “preppers” prepare for the worst
Most folks expect government agencies to prepare for potential mass disasters, yet individuals who try to do the same may be seen as fearful or even paranoid. Local “preppers,” however, feel such caution is not only warranted but clearly needed.
Annual Homecoming Job fair set for Jan. 3
Those on the hunt for a new job should put the 7th Annual Homecoming Job Fair on their schedule.
Groups urge action against Progress Energy rate hikes
Progress Energy, the biggest electric company serving homes in Buncombe County recently merged with Duke Energy, making it the largest utility company in the U.S. And it’s coming under fire from a variety of groups including the AARP, which is urging residents to fight against rate hikes.
BioWheels to close retail operations, open trail/rental service
BioWheels, which has been serving Asheville cyclists for more than a decade, will close its retail operations just after year’s end, according to co-owner/founder Eric Krause. Instead, the company will shift its focus to bike rentals and trails.
Dispatches from local community forum on N.C. budget and economy
The United Way, N.C. Budget and Tax Center and other organizations teamed up Dec. 11 to host a community forum on the economy, state budget, and tax modernization. Here’s a look at the forum via Tweets and photos from attendees, rounded up using Storify.
LIVE: Updates from the Venture Local sustainable business conference
Today’s Venture Local sustainable business conference brings together hundreds of local entrepreneurs for a full day of speakers, panels and networking. This post features live updates from attendees via Twitter using the hashtag, #vlocal.
Asheville businesses Amazing Savings, Small Terrain face trademark threats
Two local businesses — grocery discount chain Amazing Savings and homestead supply shop Small Terrain — are facing trademark threats from a New York merchandise chain and from retail giant Urban Outfitters, respectively.
Finding the balance: Venture Local aims to nurture sustainable economies
After years of primarily looking to large corporations and the global marketplace to fuel growth, AdvantageWest, the region’s biggest economic-development organization, is now focusing on growing businesses closer to home.
Commissioners approve millions in economic incentives, rename building after Stanley
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met Nov. 20, approving a pair of economic development incentive packages and a transportation grant application. They also decided to rename the big county building at 35 Woodfin Street in downtown Asheville after Vice Chair Bill Stanley, who’s retiring after serving for 24 years on the board.
Economic summit focuses on innovation
Asheville’s creative culture fosters a lot of good business ideas, but big challenges remain to making many of those ideas come to life. That was one of the thoughts from Mark Erwin, president of Erwin Capital and a former U.S. Ambassador, as he spoke to about 375 attendees at AdvantageWest’s Nov. 19 Economic Summit. He joined a panel of three other experts in a discussion that focused on defining and cultivating business innovation. Here’s some of the highlights of what each of the panelists had to say.
LIVE: Updates from the AdvantageWest Economic Summit
AdvantageWest is hosting its annual Economic Summit this evening at Diana Wortham Theatre in downtown Asheville. This post features live dispatches from the event via Twitter using the hashtag, #avlbiz
Buncombe commissioners preview: Incumbents meet for last time to consider economic incentives
The incumbent Buncombe County commissioners will meet for the last time Nov. 20 to consider a pair of economic development incentive packages and a transportation grant application.