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: Christina Harris Updated 9/1/2020 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.govCommunity Development Coordinator Christina Harris, charris@ashevillenc.govMain Phone Line828-232-4505Additional LinksStaff Directory Related Services 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. 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 Community Development to hold informational meetings about Block Grant program Posted on October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville annually awards Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) as part of a federal grant program through Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides funding for a variety of projects and programs that serve low- and moderate-income residents. The City of Asheville Community Development Division administers these funds and has set informational meetings on [...] AVL Shares Space extended to Jan. 3 with winter guidelines Posted on September 28, 2020September 28, 2020 by Ashley Traynum-Carson The City of Asheville will be extending the AVL Shares Space initiatives through Jan. 3, 2021, in order to continue providing businesses and organizations with opportunities to expand outdoors during COVID-19. In addition to the extension, new guidelines are being provided to participants that address winter-related accommodations and safety requirements. The goals [...] Asheville launches affordable housing initiative shaped by Harvard research Posted on September 15, 2020September 15, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Program is designed to help landlords make providing affordable housing more feasible Twenty-five landlords in Asheville now have a chance to be part of an innovative solution to the affordable housing crisis in our area. Thrive Asheville, an initiative of UNC Asheville that brings together local community advocates, policymakers, and professionals from diverse perspectives to find equitable solutions [...] More Community and Economic Development News
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.
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.
Community Development to hold informational meetings about Block Grant program Posted on October 9, 2020October 9, 2020 by Polly McDaniel The City of Asheville annually awards Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) as part of a federal grant program through Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides funding for a variety of projects and programs that serve low- and moderate-income residents. The City of Asheville Community Development Division administers these funds and has set informational meetings on [...]
AVL Shares Space extended to Jan. 3 with winter guidelines Posted on September 28, 2020September 28, 2020 by Ashley Traynum-Carson The City of Asheville will be extending the AVL Shares Space initiatives through Jan. 3, 2021, in order to continue providing businesses and organizations with opportunities to expand outdoors during COVID-19. In addition to the extension, new guidelines are being provided to participants that address winter-related accommodations and safety requirements. The goals [...]
Asheville launches affordable housing initiative shaped by Harvard research Posted on September 15, 2020September 15, 2020 by Polly McDaniel Program is designed to help landlords make providing affordable housing more feasible Twenty-five landlords in Asheville now have a chance to be part of an innovative solution to the affordable housing crisis in our area. Thrive Asheville, an initiative of UNC Asheville that brings together local community advocates, policymakers, and professionals from diverse perspectives to find equitable solutions [...]