The Business Inclusion (ABI) Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify 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.

The intent of Business Inclusion is to:

  • widen opportunities for participation
  • increase competition
  • ensure the proper and diligent use of public funds.

The City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office aims to do so by:

  • 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

It is the City of Asheville’s policy to:

  • Provide minorities equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of city contracting and purchasing programs, including but not limited to, participation in procurement, professional and construction contracts; and
  • Prohibit discrimination against any person or business in pursuit of these opportunities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, familial status, or national origin, and to conduct its contracting and purchasing programs so as to prevent any discrimination and to resolve all claims of such discrimination.

For more information about getting registered as a City of Asheville MWBE vendor, visit the MWBE Certification page for more information.  For more information about doing business with The City of Asheville, visit The City of Asheville’s Purchasing Department page.


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Minority and Women Business Enterprise Certification Resources

City Of Asheville MWBE Certification

State of North Carolina’s Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Small Business Administration 


Search Options for Minority and Women Businesses

If you are a prime contractor or business looking to subcontract please consult the links found below.

City Of Asheville Certified Vendors List

State of North Carolina’s Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses

North Carolina Department of Transportation

Small Business Administration’s Dynamic Small Business Search


Other Useful Links:

Click here to see bid opportunities

Capital Projects Page

Become a vendor for the City

FY 20-21 Adopted Budget

Bond Information Page

Riverfront Redevelopment Information Page

Greenways Information Page

Open Data Portal


Contact Information

Asheville Business Inclusion Office

abi@ashevillenc.gov

828-259-8050