What we do COVID-19 Business Resources Notice: 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. 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. Contact: Angelica Driver Updated 4/6/2021 ConnectCommunity and Economic Development70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801Mailing AddressPO Box 7148, Asheville, NC 28802Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Interim DirectorNikki Reid, nreid@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 City of Asheville hosts business training Posted on April 6, 2021April 12, 2021 by Polly McDaniel This April, the City of Asheville Business Inclusion Office will conduct three free training sessions to help local businesses learn how to work on local government contracts. These training sessions will be facilitated by the A-B Tech Small Business Center and take place from April 13-15. Training 1: Is Doing Business with Government Right for My [...] Asheville Community and Economic Development to host neighborhood meetings in the spring Posted on March 3, 2021March 8, 2021 by Ashley Traynum-Carson In March, City of Asheville staff will once again engage neighborhoods in the development of three small neighborhood lots on West Chestnut Street, Lufty Avenue, and Kentucky Drive for affordable housing. Several weeks ago, finalists were named for the Neighborhood Lots for Affordable Housing Request for Proposals (RFP) process to develop the lots. The finalists are [...] Dogwood Health Trust donation designated to help Asheville’s homeless community Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville will use funding support from Dogwood Health Trust to support people experiencing homelessness. At their Feb. 23 meeting, City Council voted to add the $50,000 donation for Code Purple shelter funding. Code Purple is a longstanding practice where homeless shelter providers exceed regular capacity and waive regular rules on nights when the [...] 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.
City of Asheville hosts business training Posted on April 6, 2021April 12, 2021 by Polly McDaniel This April, the City of Asheville Business Inclusion Office will conduct three free training sessions to help local businesses learn how to work on local government contracts. These training sessions will be facilitated by the A-B Tech Small Business Center and take place from April 13-15. Training 1: Is Doing Business with Government Right for My [...]
Asheville Community and Economic Development to host neighborhood meetings in the spring Posted on March 3, 2021March 8, 2021 by Ashley Traynum-Carson In March, City of Asheville staff will once again engage neighborhoods in the development of three small neighborhood lots on West Chestnut Street, Lufty Avenue, and Kentucky Drive for affordable housing. Several weeks ago, finalists were named for the Neighborhood Lots for Affordable Housing Request for Proposals (RFP) process to develop the lots. The finalists are [...]
Dogwood Health Trust donation designated to help Asheville’s homeless community Posted on February 23, 2021February 23, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville will use funding support from Dogwood Health Trust to support people experiencing homelessness. At their Feb. 23 meeting, City Council voted to add the $50,000 donation for Code Purple shelter funding. Code Purple is a longstanding practice where homeless shelter providers exceed regular capacity and waive regular rules on nights when the [...]