What’s New

Buncombe County TDA Releases Six-Month Progress Report on Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund
PRESS RELEASE: Six months after the BCTDA awarded $5 million in COVID-relief grants to 394 local small businesses, nearly 98 percent of the 394 local small businesses remained in operation at the end of December, with 3,341 jobs retained or recovered.

Optimism for 2021 Expressed by Tourism Leaders in WLOS-TV News Story
Explore Asheville President & CEO Vic Isley was among the interviewees for a WLOS-TV story on the outlook for tourism in 2021, in which she emphasized that safe and responsible travel is a priority of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County TDA.

Tourism Community Update: A Recap of the February Meeting of BCTDA
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority has launched the TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE, an e-newsletter that provides highlights of BCTDA meetings. Click through to read a recap of the February 2021 meeting, including links to the recording of the meeting.
Caring for Our Community

6-Month Report on Buncombe County TDA’s Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund
A 6-month report on recipients of grants from the Buncombe Counth TDA’s $5 million COVID relief fund reveals that 98% of businesses were still in operation at the end of December 2020, with 3,341 jobs retained, recovered, or created.

Buncombe County TDA Supports Relaunch of ‘One Buncombe’ Grant Fund for Local Businesses
The ‘One Buncombe’ grant fund, supported by Buncombe County TDA, was developed to help local small businesses of one to 25 FTEs retain and rehire their employees. Sole proprietors/owner-employees and independent contract (1099) workers are eligible to apply as well.

Explore Asheville Partners with City & County on Eye-Catching New Public Safety Initiative
Explore Asheville, Buncombe County, and the City of Asheville, with assistance by Asheville Area Arts Council and Asheville Art Museum, have partnered on a colorful new safety campaign as a reminder of the 3 W’s.
Perspectives

Insights on Issues of Equity in Creative Placemaking Explored at Community Leadership Series
Hosted by Leadership Asheville and Asheville Area Arts Council and sponsored by Explore Asheville, this series focuses on Equity in Creative Placemaking with presentations from national recognized experts as well as local professionals.

Perspectives Guest Post: Amplifying Equity and Inclusion in Craft Beer
A guest post written by the President of Highland Brewing Company, Leah Wong Ashburn, who also serves as an appointed, volunteer member of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority with info on a special event coming up at HBC.

Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
Download a PDF of the BCTDA annual report for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, with pre-COVID statistics, 2019 economic impact numbers, Explore Asheville’s response to the pandemic, and more.
What’s New
Buncombe County TDA Releases Six-Month Progress Report on Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund
PRESS RELEASE: Six months after the BCTDA awarded $5 million in COVID-relief grants to 394 local small businesses, nearly 98 percent of the 394 local small businesses remained in operation at the end of December, with 3,341 jobs retained or recovered.
Optimism for 2021 Expressed by Tourism Leaders in WLOS-TV News Story
Explore Asheville President & CEO Vic Isley was among the interviewees for a WLOS-TV story on the outlook for tourism in 2021, in which she emphasized that safe and responsible travel is a priority of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County TDA.
Tourism Community Update: A Recap of the February Meeting of BCTDA
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority has launched the TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE, an e-newsletter that provides highlights of BCTDA meetings. Click through to read a recap of the February 2021 meeting, including links to the recording of the meeting.
Tourism: Caring for Our Community
6-Month Report on Buncombe County TDA’s Tourism Jobs Recovery Fund
A 6-month report on recipients of grants from the Buncombe Counth TDA’s $5 million COVID relief fund reveals that 98% of businesses were still in operation at the end of December 2020, with 3,341 jobs retained, recovered, or created.
Buncombe County TDA Supports Relaunch of ‘One Buncombe’ Grant Fund for Local Businesses
The ‘One Buncombe’ grant fund, supported by Buncombe County TDA, was developed to help local small businesses of one to 25 FTEs retain and rehire their employees. Sole proprietors/owner-employees and independent contract (1099) workers are eligible to apply as well.
Explore Asheville Partners with City & County on Eye-Catching New Public Safety Initiative
Explore Asheville, Buncombe County, and the City of Asheville, with assistance by Asheville Area Arts Council and Asheville Art Museum, have partnered on a colorful new safety campaign as a reminder of the 3 W’s.
Perspectives
Insights on Issues of Equity in Creative Placemaking Explored at Community Leadership Series
Hosted by Leadership Asheville and Asheville Area Arts Council and sponsored by Explore Asheville, this series focuses on Equity in Creative Placemaking with presentations from national recognized experts as well as local professionals.
Perspectives Guest Post: Amplifying Equity and Inclusion in Craft Beer
A guest post written by the President of Highland Brewing Company, Leah Wong Ashburn, who also serves as an appointed, volunteer member of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority with info on a special event coming up at HBC.
Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2019-2020
Download a PDF of the BCTDA annual report for Fiscal Year 2019-2020, with pre-COVID statistics, 2019 economic impact numbers, Explore Asheville’s response to the pandemic, and more.
Community Partners