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Home / News / What’s Up AVL! This week learn more about Business Inclusion and Economic Development with Marcus Kirkman and Charlie Savage

What’s Up AVL! This week learn more about Business Inclusion and Economic Development with Marcus Kirkman and Charlie Savage

Posted on May 23, 2024May 24, 2024 by Kim Miller

What’s Up AVL!

The City of Asheville’s bi-monthly radio show allows the community to take a deep dive with the City of Asheville staff and departments.

You can learn about different departments and what projects are taking place in your community.

On this episode of What’s Up Asheville (audio and video of show), host Sam Parada interviews Minority Business Program Manager Marcus Kirkman and Economic Development Specialist Charlie Savage. The group talks goals and programs of the Business Inclusion Office and community opportunities fostered by our Economic Development Team.

sam parada, marcus kirman and charlie savage in studio

Business Inclusion:

The Business Inclusion Office implements the City of Asheville Business Inclusion Contracting Policy.

The office actively identifies minority and women-owned businesses for opportunities to participate as providers of goods and services to the city. To learn more about how we are working to increase equity in contracting, visit our Business Inclusion Initiative page, where you’ll also find helpful resources for MWBE business owners.

The intent of Business Inclusion is to:

  • Widen opportunities for participation
  • Increase competition
  • Ensure the proper and diligent use of public funds.
  • Increasing the City’s awareness of available minority, women, and small business vendors
  • Increasing Minority / Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) utilization in City contracting
  • Promoting existing and start-up development of small business growth and profitability in the Asheville Regional Area
  • Monitoring, evaluating and reporting on Minority and Women Business Enterprises

To learn more, visit our Business Inclusion Services page. 

 
Economic Development:
 
The Economic Development Division works to increase the prosperity of all Ashevillians, our businesses, and our diverse communities. Our work includes the Business Inclusion Office, the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy, and the City Real Estate Office. We provide business resource support, youth and workforce development support, and economic development services.

The Division also works with many partners to implement programs and services that attain job creation and retention and increase income within the city by attracting higher-wage job opportunities.

To learn more, visit our Economic Development page.
 
 
 
What’s AVL on replay

Can’t catch the podcast in real time? You can catch the replays of shows  12:30-1:00 p.m. Mon, Wed, Fri. on WRES 100.7 FM

You can find previous episodes of What’s Up AVL! on the City’s Youtube channel.

PostBusiness InclusionCAYLAFeaturedNeighborhoodsNewsCity Manager's OfficeCommunication and Public EngagementCommunity and Economic DevelopmentEquity and Inclusion
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