All Asheville area businesses, large and small, need resources to develop and grow. One priority for Asheville’s City Council is to ensure businesses have access to development solutions to support their success. Resource Providers are support organizations including accelerators and incubators, economic development organizations and sector-specific business support groups. The City of Asheville partners with Asheville area organizations that maximize support for businesses. Visit Asheville’s Business Toolkit page for a comprehensive outline of resources.
The Business Inclusion Office for the City of Asheville actively seeks to identify minority and women-owned businesses for an opportunity to participate as providers of goods and services to the city.
Financial Support
Funding is available in the form of loans, grants, investment shares and development incentives. Working with one of the business development resource providers listed can help you understand which options may work best for your business or development project.
Mountain Community Capital Loan Program
A City-backed funding program that was launched in 2018. The Mountain Community Capital Fund is part of the City’s strategic plan to provide greater access to capital to business owners who may not otherwise be eligible for bank loans.
Strategic Partnership Funds
City grants awarded annually to non-profit organizations that create opportunities for economic mobility, address disparities in low-wealth neighborhoods, such as health, housing, and educational inequities. Additionally, the City partners with organizations that provide support for small, local, homegrown and minority-owned businesses and that provide services which directly support affordable housing and increased employment opportunities, such as child care, transportation and job training. For more information view the Strategic Partnership Funds page.
Community Event Partnership Funds
City-funded strategic Event Partnerships promotes an environment for investment, support entrepreneurship, the arts and creative economy, attract outside spending, raise funds for local charities, increase cultural understanding and promote a high quality of life within the community.
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
The Carolina Small Business Development Fund provides small business loans and financial training to start-ups and existing businesses along with lending services to community-based organizations.
Resources
City of Asheville Business Inclusion Office
Mountain Community Capital Fund
Carolina Small Business Development Fund
Contact Information
Asheville Business Inclusion Office
828-259-8050
City of Asheville
70 Court Plaza, Fifth Floor, Asheville NC 28801
Mail to:
City of Asheville
P.O. Box 7148, Asheville NC 28802