After nearly 40 downtown retailers, restaurants and offices closed or relocated in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, business leaders and government officials met at the annual State of Downtown event to discuss ways to revive the central business district.
Smart Bets: Asheville Greats
Answer Man John Boyle will lead the March 18 conversation with Highland Brewing founder Oscar Wong and Black-business advocate Matthew Bacoate Jr.
Tourism event highlights recovery, growth and resilience after Tropical Storm Helene
Nine guest speakers shared their thoughts during panel discussions on topics ranging from environmental preservation, economic recovery, transportation and long-term resilience at the Feb. 12 event,“ The Year Ahead 2025: The Road to Recovery and Revival,”
Asheville Pizza and Brewing disputes The Orange Peel’s account of rift
In an affidavit filed in Buncombe County Superior Court on Jan. 17, Asheville Brewing Company co-owner Mike Rangel refutes accusations in the Jan. 3 lawsuit from The Orange Peel.
‘This is beyond politics’: Local leaders call for Helene recovery support
Leadership from Hot Springs, Black Mountain, Canton and other local towns toured Marshall in Madison County and Biltmore Village in Buncombe County as part of a trip organized by the American Flood Coalition — a bipartisan nonprofit working to bring these communities together to advocate for recovery on a state and federal level.
Around the Region: Holiday sales give some small-town merchants reason for hope going into 2025
The holiday shopping season was a huge success from some small-town merchants still reeling for the effects of Tropical Storm Helene. And even those who had less success said local shoppers made a huge difference.
The Orange Peel sues partner in Rabbit Rabbit venture
The Orange Peel and Public Interest Projects are seeking compensatory damages and punitive damages in an amount to be determined by a jury and are asking the judge to keep in place the existing management agreement.
Mission Health appeals state’s awarding of 26 acute care beds to AdventHealth’s planned Weaverville hospital
Mission’s appeal, brought against the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and the Division of Health Service Regulation, says those agencies’ decisions curbed Mission’s expansion efforts.
Downtown businesses compete for people’s choice award in holiday window display contest
Residents have until Tuesday, Dec. 31 to vote for their favorite display.
Carmen Atwater discusses the impact Helene has had on local bees
“Fall is already a nectar scarce time of year, and the storm was immediately followed by our first frost, so it really was a triple whammy,” says Carmen Atwater, founder of Feral Farms.
Pop-ups revive holiday spirit for local retailers
Through festive downtown initiatives, Asheville businesses lend support to local shops set adrift by Tropical Storm Helene.
From CPP: Asheville’s economy still reeling from impact of storm, water loss on tourism
October was a total loss for many restaurants and hotels, a month that usually promises the biggest profits of the year, thanks to leaf-peepers and other seasonal tourists.
Asheville businesses pick up the pieces post-Helene
Asheville business owners dealing with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene have a simple message for local customers: We’re still here, and we need your support.
From CPP: Helene damage costs in NC more than $53 billion. Who will pay is unclear.
by Lucas Thomae, Carolina Public Press November 26, 2024 Without question, Tropical Storm Helene generated historic costs for North Carolina in terms of structural damages, disruptions to government operations and loss of human lives. Calculating just how expensive the storm was — and also figuring out who is footing the bill — is a trickier […]
From CPP: ‘Worst’ year ever for farms in North Carolina
Farms tend to be located in the region’s fertile river bottoms, and when those rivers swelled and roared, they took crops, barns, bails of hay, miles of fencing, farm roads, cattle, farm equipment and acres of topsoil.
From CPP: Getting back on track with rail in NC disaster area
It will be difficult to estimate just how big of an economic toll the near-total loss of rail transport will have on the area. Loss of cheap and fast access to basic, bulky supplies like grain and timber is a reality that modern cities rarely have to face.
Local entrepreneurs invite business owners to brainstorming sessions
Resilience Roundtable: WNC Business Pivot Chats is a new online monthly discussion initiated by local entrepreneurs Alyssa Phillips Downey and Nicole McConville.
From CPP: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians sees effects to tourism and agriculture after Helene, but uses tribe’s resources to send aid elsewhere
“We received quite a bit of damage, but nothing like people east of Cherokee,” Anthony Sequoyah, the Eastern Band’s secretary of travel operations, told Carolina Public Press.
From CPP: Why legal challenge to NC medical provider regulation matters
A recent lawsuit brought forth by a New Bern ophthalmologist challenges the constitutionality of the law, bringing the issue to the forefront of statewide debate.
Restaurants need potable water to operate, but at what cost?
Requiring a hefty up-front financial investment and ongoing rental and service fees, alternate water options are beyond the reach of many Asheville food and beverage businesses.
Women in Business: Sustainable and creative
“I don’t think you should have to sacrifice whimsical patterns, color and structure to dress easier on the environment,” says Megan Authement, owner of Clad.