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      Live Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, the Asheville area attracts newcomers for its astounding quality of life, low crime rate and welcoming entrepreneurial environment. Known for its culinary delights, history, architecture, natural settings and as a Mecca for adventure lovers, Asheville has something for everyone.
    • Work
      Work

      Whether you are just out of school or a veteran of the workforce, Western North Carolina offers outstanding opportunities. The quality of life and low unemployment rate found in the Asheville area draws top-talent from major cities throughout the nation. Professional, creative and technical specialists choose the Asheville area as their home.

    • Visit
      Visit Whether your ideal Asheville visit takes you gallery hopping on Broadway, antique shopping in Biltmore Village, trekking along the Appalachian Trail, or to a downtown show at a rock club named one of the top five in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Asheville area has something guaranteed to delight every visitor. Don’t just take our word for it…experience it for yourself.
    • Community Events
      Community Events

      Check our community calendar for a list of upcoming events and happenings hosted by Chamber members.

    • Demographics
      Demographics

      The Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County’s research team serves as a central point of information for the latest regional data and resources.

    • Find A Business
      Find A Business

      Find online business listings of Chamber members. This user-friendly search makes this page worth bookmarking as your guide to Asheville area businesses.

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    • Membership
      Membership Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber.
    • Departments
      Departments

      The departments of the Asheville Chamber help fulfill the organization’s mission of increasing the region’s livability by advancing its economic vitality. Learn more about the work and roles of the departments that make up your Chamber.

    • Chamber Events
      Chamber Events

      Membership opens the door to a multitude of opportunities for making new contacts, getting exposure to new ideas and networking with our region’s foremost leaders during events hosted by the Asheville Chamber. Check out our calendar of events developed especially for members of the Asheville Chamber. Be sure to register online and check back often -- we update our calendar of events frequently!

    • Photos & Video
      Photos & Video Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events.
    • Leadership
      Leadership Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
    • Young Professionals
      Young Professionals Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) is a non-profit organization focused on connecting young professionals through community and social events. Get involved and learn more about opportunities for business networking, professional development, service through volunteering, leadership training and social events.
    • FAQs
      FAQs Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here.
    • E-News
      E-News

      Each Chamber E-News is filled with updates on events, programs, membership, and information from our members! Read past issues or sign up for the Chamber E-Newsletter.

    • Chamber Press Releases
      Chamber Press Releases

      Get the most recent Chamber news in our press release archive.

    • Find A Business
      Find A Business

      Find online business listings of Chamber members. This user-friendly search makes this page worth bookmarking as your guide to Asheville area businesses.

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    • Target Clusters
      Target Clusters The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors.
    • Research & Reports
      Research & Reports

      Ranked as one of the country’s “Best Places for Business and Careers” by Forbes Magazine, Asheville successfully embodies a fresh mix of eclectic sophistication within a culturally and economically diverse community. The EDC's research team serves as a central point of information for the latest regional data and resources.

    • Attracting & Growing Businesses
      Attracting & Growing Businesses

      Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Their comprehensive services are free of charge and confidential. Contact the EDC staff to learn how they can assist your company through your relocation or expansion project.

    • Small Business & Entreprenuership
      Small Business & Entreprenuership

      Small businesses are the backbone of Asheville’s economy. The community embraces the impact of these companies on our culture and lifestyle. The Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Coalition and other community organizations have developed a variety of resources designed to help all small businesses succeed.

    • Success Stories & Testimonials
      Success Stories & Testimonials Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently.
    • Contacts
      Contacts Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business.
    • Announcements & Press Releases
      Announcements & Press Releases Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community.
    • Find A Business
      Find A Business

      Find online business listings of Chamber members. This user-friendly search makes this page worth bookmarking as your guide to Asheville area businesses.

    • Asheville 5x5 Campaign
      Asheville 5x5 Campaign

      Asheville 5x5 is a five-year economic development initiative of the Chamber and the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County. Read on to learn more about the Chamber's efforts to grow 5,000 new jobs in the region.

Photo Credit: Economic Development Coalition
Business Planning and Assistance

 


View an 11 minute video: "Is your Business Always Cash Poor?" using resources in the Tools for Business.

Why do a business plan?

Only 19% of small business owners use business planning. And 19% of small businesses survive at the end of each year. Coincidence?

Business planning doesn't guarantee success. However, most people wouldn't think of building a house without a set of building plans. Without a building plan, it is doubtful your foundation would be adequate, you might forget key parts of the plumbing, and your kitchen might end up where your bathroom should be.

The same situation will happen if you don't create a business plan. While you might think that you can keep everything in your head, your results are likely to be disappointing.

The business plan process helps you think through all parts of your business, establish a solid foundation, and puts you in a position for business growth. The parts of the business plan that you can't do or are hard for you, are the areas where you need professional help. A plumber building his own house hires experts in roofing and other unknown areas. You need to approach your business the same way.

In the right panel, you will find business plan tools and free help to do the "hard" parts of your business plan.

You will also find resources if your business uses innovative technology or if your business has a storefront.

 
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Business Plan see more
  • Business plan essentials
  • Business plan tools
  • Business plan classes
  • SWOT analysis: Strength Weakness Opportunities and Threats
  • How to Build a Bulletproof Startup - for businesses that are serious about growing
  • Free online workshops
  • Sample business plans from Palo Alto Software
  • Information sources for your business plan
  • Developing a technology plan for your business
  • 5 Things to find out about your industry before going into business

Free or low-cost one-on-one help
  • Business plan free help from the SBDC
  • Minority Business Enterprise Center (in Durham)
  • Mountain BizWorks
  • 8-session training from Mountain BizWorks: Foundations Business Planning Program
  • Asheville-Buncombe Tech Business Incubator Program
  • SCORE national website: info & email-based counseling
  • UNC Family Business Forum
  • Software company less than 3 years old? Microsoft's BizSpark program

Innovation and technology see more
  • Idea generation: HATCH in Asheville
  • Need to bring new technology to market? Technology Commercialization Center
  • NCSU Technology Incubator
  • Biotech? BioNetWork BioBusiness Center
  • High tech business? First Flight Venture Center
  • Using innovation and new ideas
  • Innovation Marketplace: find business opportunities, register your needs or your innovation
  • Biotech company? Lab facilities and networking at Biotechnology Center
  • BioBusiness Laboratory (BBL)
  • Business Acceleration and Technology Out-licensing Network (BATON)
  • Available technologies from NC Agricultural and Tech State University

Help if you have a storefront
  • Need to attract foot traffic? Effective Signage


 

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