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 AVL Shares Space outdoor expansion to continue through 2021 Posted on June 22, 2021June 21, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville’s AVL Shares Space temporary outdoor expansion initiatives launched in the spring 2020 to support safe business operations and customer access in alignment with COVID-19 public health guidelines. In fall 2020, the City extended these temporary initiatives to align with the Local State of NC Emergency issued [...] Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville hosts open call for area volunteer groups for 2021-2022 Community Give Back Program Posted on June 10, 2021June 10, 2021 by Christy Edwards The Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville (HCCA) 2021-2022 Community Give Back Program is currently accepting applications from qualified volunteer groups and non-profit organizations for participation in the following venue programs: Volunteer Concessions Program and Volunteer Venue Clean Up. City of Asheville to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks for our community Posted on June 7, 2021June 21, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville will put on a fireworks display downtown for the Fourth of July! However, for this year, there will be no accompanying festival activities. While there will be no food or drink vendors at the park, people are welcome to bring their own picnic or order take-out from a favorite restaurant. There will [...] 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.
AVL Shares Space outdoor expansion to continue through 2021 Posted on June 22, 2021June 21, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville’s AVL Shares Space temporary outdoor expansion initiatives launched in the spring 2020 to support safe business operations and customer access in alignment with COVID-19 public health guidelines. In fall 2020, the City extended these temporary initiatives to align with the Local State of NC Emergency issued [...]
Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville hosts open call for area volunteer groups for 2021-2022 Community Give Back Program Posted on June 10, 2021June 10, 2021 by Christy Edwards The Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville (HCCA) 2021-2022 Community Give Back Program is currently accepting applications from qualified volunteer groups and non-profit organizations for participation in the following venue programs: Volunteer Concessions Program and Volunteer Venue Clean Up.
City of Asheville to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks for our community Posted on June 7, 2021June 21, 2021 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville will put on a fireworks display downtown for the Fourth of July! However, for this year, there will be no accompanying festival activities. While there will be no food or drink vendors at the park, people are welcome to bring their own picnic or order take-out from a favorite restaurant. There will [...]