What we do COVID-19 Business Resources For area businesses, the Asheville Chamber of Commerce has compiled the Coronavirus Resource Guide. We encourage local businesses to respond to the COVID-19 Business Survey. Notice: Asheville is recognized worldwide for being a hub for healthcare industries, maker economies and craft entrepreneurship, breweries, small businesses, travel and tourism, breathtaking natural resources, and a rich place for arts, culture, music and entertainment. The Community and Economic Development Department promotes the City’s development polices and leverages resources in order to enhance economic opportunity. We work with the community to improve economic and social conditions to create a vibrant, robust and sustainable city. Resources To view the 2019 City Manager’s Development Forum please see below. Fall 2019 City Manager’s Development Forum Presentation Spring 2019 City Manager’s Development Forum Presentation Contact: Angelica Driver Updated 12/7/2020/2020 ConnectCommunity and Economic Development70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801Mailing AddressPO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.DirectorSam Powers, spowers@ashevillenc.govAdministrative AssistantAngelica Driver, adriver@ashevillenc.govMain Phone Line828-232-4505Additional LinksStaff Directory Related Services MWSBE Certification Find information to register for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) with the City of Asheville. Business Inclusion The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city. Apply for a commercial film or photography permit Information about commercial filming and photography work involving city-owned property, sidewalks, streets, and parks. Apply for a special event or festival permit Information about hosting an event on city-owned property, sidewalks, streets and parks. Find cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold. To find out when Code Purple is in effect, visit the Homeless Coalition’s Code [...] Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business. Find or register a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding or registering a minority, women or disabled-owned business. More Related Services Community and Economic Development News Asheville City Council votes to extend funding to house unsheltered residents vulnerable to COVID-19 Posted on January 26, 2021January 26, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Recognizing the additional threat of harm posed by COVID-19 to already vulnerable unsheltered residents, the City of Asheville has taken proactive measures to provide socially distanced emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Initially, the City provided temporary shelter to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of age [...] Lights to shine in Asheville in acknowledgement of those lost to COVID-19 Posted on January 19, 2021January 26, 2021 by Polly McDaniel As a memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19, the City of Asheville will join with cities and towns across the country tonight, Jan. 19, with a special lighting of Asheville City Hall and the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has invited cities and towns around [...] Asheville to waive some fees to help support local businesses during State of Emergency Posted on January 12, 2021 by Polly McDaniel To help reduce economic hardship posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Asheville will continue to waive or suspend collection of fees on a case-by-case basis. Asheville City Council approved this action during their Jan. 12 meeting. The fees that may be waived include temporary uses, outdoor dining, a-frame signage, push carts, and associated trade permits. Many [...] More Community and Economic Development News
MWSBE Certification Find information to register for certification as a Minority, Woman, and/or Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) with the City of Asheville.
Business Inclusion The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city.
Apply for a commercial film or photography permit Information about commercial filming and photography work involving city-owned property, sidewalks, streets, and parks.
Apply for a special event or festival permit Information about hosting an event on city-owned property, sidewalks, streets and parks.
Find cold weather emergency shelter When extreme cold weather is expected, the Asheville Homeless Coalition issues a Code Purple Alert. Participating homeless shelters voluntarily add space beyond their normal capacity to keep as many people as possible out of the cold. To find out when Code Purple is in effect, visit the Homeless Coalition’s Code [...]
Find financial support for your Asheville business Learn about financial support that may be available for your business.
Find or register a minority, women or disabled-owned business Resources for finding or registering a minority, women or disabled-owned business.
Asheville City Council votes to extend funding to house unsheltered residents vulnerable to COVID-19 Posted on January 26, 2021January 26, 2021 by Polly McDaniel Recognizing the additional threat of harm posed by COVID-19 to already vulnerable unsheltered residents, the City of Asheville has taken proactive measures to provide socially distanced emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic. Initially, the City provided temporary shelter to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who are at increased risk for COVID-19 because of age [...]
Lights to shine in Asheville in acknowledgement of those lost to COVID-19 Posted on January 19, 2021January 26, 2021 by Polly McDaniel As a memorial to remember and honor the lives lost to COVID-19, the City of Asheville will join with cities and towns across the country tonight, Jan. 19, with a special lighting of Asheville City Hall and the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville. The Presidential Inaugural Committee has invited cities and towns around [...]
Asheville to waive some fees to help support local businesses during State of Emergency Posted on January 12, 2021 by Polly McDaniel To help reduce economic hardship posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Asheville will continue to waive or suspend collection of fees on a case-by-case basis. Asheville City Council approved this action during their Jan. 12 meeting. The fees that may be waived include temporary uses, outdoor dining, a-frame signage, push carts, and associated trade permits. Many [...]