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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.
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      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.

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      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.

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      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 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.
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      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.
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      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.
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      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
International Trade

 

Think global: the good news and the bad news

The good news is that it has never been easier to participate in international trade. We have instant communication, a system to quickly transfer money, a huge market outside the US, and endless products that we can import.

The bad news is that it is harder than most people think:

  • Geared for large quantities: Generally you need to import enough to fill a ship container.
  • Long lead time: Shipping means 1 to 2 months - your customers are often thinking "next day".
  • Customs and an intermediary: You will need to hire an intermediary to receive the container and process it through customs.
  • Risk of defective products: You won't know until the container arrives whether the product you ordered meets your specifications - and if it doesn't, there is little recourse.
  • Few or complicated legal protections: Patents laws are non-existent in some countries. In other countries, you must file paperwork and be willing to defend your patent in each country where you do business.
  • Complicated taxes: If you sell items outside the US, you need to comply with that nation's taxes and business fees.
With all these downsides, you need to evaluate your competitive environment to determine whether global trade is an option or an absolute necessity.

In the right panel, you will find:
  • Training resources
  • Business assistance
  • Financial resources
  • Regulatory information
  • Incentive programs

 
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Training resources  see more
  • Are you export-ready? A short self-assessment
  • Export Business Planner from the SBA
  • Export-U.com: 9 free webinars about exporting
  • TradePort; Free Import and Export Trade Tutorial
  • A Basic Guide to Exporting
  • Want to import? Global Sourcing Essentials
  • Global business webinars from the National Export Initiative
  • Trade Finance Guide: A Quick Reference for Exporters
  • International trade logistics - an online course
  • Books

Business assistance  see more
  • North Carolina International Trade Services
  • Free export and international trade assistance
  • Want to export to China? China Business Information Center
  • Want to market to China? Access America Directory
  • Do you want to improve your global competitiveness?
  • Fast Track Service: Assistance finding partners in Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Korea or Mexico
  • Export assistance for agriculture and food businesses
  • North Carolina World Trade Association
  • Exporting Help: US Commercial Service
  • Leads, Events, Research & More! www.Export.gov
  • Industry newsletters and reports from the US Commercial Service
  • Free market surveys - ExportNavigator
  • Custom market research services from Export.Gov

Financial resources  see more
  • Handling money overseas
  • SBA Export Working Capital Program
  • SBA International Trade Loan Program 7a to improve competitiveness
  • SBA Export Express Loan
  • Loans and export credit insurance
  • Export-Import Bank: Assistance for minority and women-owned businesses
  • Export-Import Bank Environmental Exports Program
  • North Carolina companies that have financed through the Export/Import Bank

Regulatory information
  • Certificate of Origin form
  • Export regulation and compliance training videos
  • How to complete a NAFTA Certificate of Origin form
  • Want to sell to Europe? Find out if you must identify your product with a CE mark

Incentive programs
  • Tax credit for using the NC Ports
  • Foreign trade zones


 

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