What we do The Community and Economic Development department fosters an equitable community and economy. We work to preserve and increase the availability of affordable housing, improve access to services, create paths toward economic mobility, promote resiliency, and support sustainable growth. We collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to enhance the quality of life and availability of opportunities for all in Asheville. The department includes four divisions, Affordable Housing, Community Development, Homeless Strategy, and Economic Development; and three programs, Business Inclusion Office, City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA), and City Real Estate Office. The department’s success is measured through the lens of the City’s comprehensive plan and vision, focusing on creating a resilient and thriving local economy, fostering an equitable and diverse community, preserving and developing quality affordable housing, and engaging in responsible regionalism. Contact: Promise Boseman, Business Services Administrator Updated 4/27/2022 Connect Address 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 Mailing Address PO Box 7148 Phone Number 828-232-4505 Email Address nreid@ashevillenc.gov Business HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.DirectorNikki Reid, nreid@ashevillenc.govBusiness Services AdministratorPromise Boseman, pboseman@ashevillenc.govAdditional 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. 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 Related Projects Deaverview Purpose-Built Community Development Process The City of Asheville is working with their partner, the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville on a master plan for about 60 acres of land in Deaverview following the Purpose Built Communities model. Duke Energy Downtown Electrical Substation Duke needs to replace or rebuild the substation at the rear of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center of Asheville and has approached the City to explore options to rebuild the substation on City property at 57 Rankin. 360 Hilliard Development Process Construction is underway for a new affordable and mixed income community at 360 Hilliard Avenue, next to the Aston Tennis Center. More Related Projects Community and Economic Development News City of Asheville, Buncombe County and Veterans Council to host LIVE Memorial Day Ceremony Posted on May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 3:00 p.m. May 30, 2022 at the Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park. The ceremony will feature short readings by Brothers And Sisters Like These Veterans Writing Group who write to heal the wounds of war. Pastor Spencer [...] City of Asheville staff presents to Council on Point-in-Time Count, Homelessness Consultant and decreased crime rates near AHOPE Posted on May 10, 2022May 12, 2022 by Kim Miller Asheville City Council, on May 10, were given an update on many areas impacting homelessness in our community. Among the areas addressed by the Community and Economic Development team were results of the 2022 Point-in-Time count, a resolution adopted by Council to accept funding for a Homelessness Services consultant, and updates to a decreased [...] High-access emergency shelter transitions; permanent supportive housing deal set to finalize soon Posted on March 31, 2022 by Kim Miller Today, March 31 marks the last day the Ramada Inn will operate as an emergency shelter. 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.
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.
Deaverview Purpose-Built Community Development Process The City of Asheville is working with their partner, the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville on a master plan for about 60 acres of land in Deaverview following the Purpose Built Communities model.
Duke Energy Downtown Electrical Substation Duke needs to replace or rebuild the substation at the rear of the Harrah’s Cherokee Center of Asheville and has approached the City to explore options to rebuild the substation on City property at 57 Rankin.
360 Hilliard Development Process Construction is underway for a new affordable and mixed income community at 360 Hilliard Avenue, next to the Aston Tennis Center.
City of Asheville, Buncombe County and Veterans Council to host LIVE Memorial Day Ceremony Posted on May 17, 2022May 17, 2022 by Kim Miller The City of Asheville and Buncombe County will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 3:00 p.m. May 30, 2022 at the Roger McGuire Green in Pack Square Park. The ceremony will feature short readings by Brothers And Sisters Like These Veterans Writing Group who write to heal the wounds of war. Pastor Spencer [...]
City of Asheville staff presents to Council on Point-in-Time Count, Homelessness Consultant and decreased crime rates near AHOPE Posted on May 10, 2022May 12, 2022 by Kim Miller Asheville City Council, on May 10, were given an update on many areas impacting homelessness in our community. Among the areas addressed by the Community and Economic Development team were results of the 2022 Point-in-Time count, a resolution adopted by Council to accept funding for a Homelessness Services consultant, and updates to a decreased [...]
High-access emergency shelter transitions; permanent supportive housing deal set to finalize soon Posted on March 31, 2022 by Kim Miller Today, March 31 marks the last day the Ramada Inn will operate as an emergency shelter.