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 Voices from Asheville’s Emergency Shelter, Part 1: Tony and Lisa Posted on October 11, 2021October 11, 2021 by Angelica Driver This spring, the City of Asheville began providing rooms for unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at several hotels in the area, including at the Ramada Inn, 148 River Ford Parkway. This incredible opportunity was made possible by an unprecedented level of federal funding from several sources. It played a key role in keeping our homeless community [...] Homelessness: How our whole community wins when we invest in ending homelessness Posted on September 27, 2021October 11, 2021 by Angelica Driver Read Part 1 and Part 2 of our series on homelessness solutions in Asheville. Homelessness issues in Asheville are long-standing and complex. Right now, the City of Asheville has an unprecedented level of resources available to help end chronic homelessness and build the homeless service system we need to best [...] City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office launches AVL Pathways to Grow training program Posted on September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 by Angelica Driver The City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office is excited to announce a new training program for local small businesses, AVL Pathways to Grow. The training program is geared towards helping women and small business owners of color to grow and scale up their businesses. AVL Pathways to Grow is a collaboration between the City’s Business Inclusion [...] 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.
Voices from Asheville’s Emergency Shelter, Part 1: Tony and Lisa Posted on October 11, 2021October 11, 2021 by Angelica Driver This spring, the City of Asheville began providing rooms for unsheltered people experiencing homelessness at several hotels in the area, including at the Ramada Inn, 148 River Ford Parkway. This incredible opportunity was made possible by an unprecedented level of federal funding from several sources. It played a key role in keeping our homeless community [...]
Homelessness: How our whole community wins when we invest in ending homelessness Posted on September 27, 2021October 11, 2021 by Angelica Driver Read Part 1 and Part 2 of our series on homelessness solutions in Asheville. Homelessness issues in Asheville are long-standing and complex. Right now, the City of Asheville has an unprecedented level of resources available to help end chronic homelessness and build the homeless service system we need to best [...]
City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office launches AVL Pathways to Grow training program Posted on September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 by Angelica Driver The City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office is excited to announce a new training program for local small businesses, AVL Pathways to Grow. The training program is geared towards helping women and small business owners of color to grow and scale up their businesses. AVL Pathways to Grow is a collaboration between the City’s Business Inclusion [...]