Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce

This holiday season, join the hunt for Bizzy Bear and support local businesses while having a festive, fun adventure in Asheville! Presented by Spectrum and Duke Energy Corporation, Bizzy Bear is here to inspire community spirit and shopping small. ?? Kickoff: Saturday, Nov. 23rd - 11 - 5 PM ?? Holiday Jamboree, Downtown Asheville Here’s how to get in on the fun: ?? Stop by the Chamber booth in front of Hotel Arras for hot chocolate, popcorn, a downtown map, and clues. ?? Search for 20 adorable bears hidden in downtown businesses. ?? Snap a selfie with the bears and tag @avlchamber + the business, using #AVLBizzyBear. Post on your Instagram feed (not stories) to enter the drawing! Make sure you're following us on Instagram. Jamboree Day Prizes include: ? $250 Grand Prize ? $250 Grand Prize ? $150 Second Prize ? Two $50 Third Prizes Winners will be announced at 5 PM, Nov. 23rd, at the end of the Jamboree! ??? November 24–December 20 The hunt continues with Bizzy Bears roaming beyond downtown into other neighborhoods! The same entry rules apply. Weekly prizes will be gifted on Mondays and all posts will be entered for the Grand Prize drawing on Dec. 23rd. Follow @avlchamber for weekly clues + to be considered for prizes! Support local, have fun, and win big this holiday season! Let’s make Asheville’s holidays extra magical! ?? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ehjyUcrn #AVLBizzyBear #AVLBiz #ShopSmall #ShopLocal

Our Senior VP of Economic Development, Clark Duncan, joined Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR) last week to discuss how our region is tackling business recovery, unemployment, and infrastructure challenges after Hurricane Helene. Listen in for insights and what’s ahead for our community. https://lnkd.in/e8EYXHJn

Join us the morning of Tuesday, December 3, for our 2024 Legislative Update at the University of North Carolina Asheville’s Wilma M. Sherrill Center in the Mountain View Room. Get firsthand insights from elected officials as they discuss upcoming legislative priorities and the impact of public policy on our community’s recovery. This is an invaluable opportunity for business leaders to connect with policymakers, hear about recent government changes, and learn how they may shape the business landscape. Learn more & register: https://lnkd.in/eQ3Pi43r

In this week's Business Buzz: The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts' ARTS RISING! brings discounted performances and RAD artist showcases to the community, HCA Healthcare donates $75,000 to support ABCCM - Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry's Veteran’s Restoration Quarters, and Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins hosts the Wrong Way Revival on Nov. 17 with BBQ, live bluegrass, and flash tattoos. https://lnkd.in/eaKXc_DK

The Asheville-Buncombe Rebuilding Together Grant Fund is here to help local businesses get back on their feet after Hurricane Helene. Small businesses in Buncombe County can now apply for grants of up to $25,000 to cover recovery costs not covered by insurance or other funding. These grants can be used for critical expenses like clean-up, inventory replacement, temporary water solutions, payroll, and more, helping businesses rebuild and reopen. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 27. Businesses with up to 200 employees may apply, and priority will be given to those most severely impacted and to independent small business owners who may not have access to other aid. Applications will be reviewed in rounds, with a focus on quickly disbursing funds. Funded by a partnership between the City of Asheville, Mountain BizWorks, and the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rebuilding Together Grant Fund has an initial pool of over $1.3 million. The Chamber’s commitment of $500,000 to this fund reflects our dedication to supporting our members and the broader business community. We know the need is great, and our partners are actively working to secure additional resources to expand the fund’s impact. Learn more about eligibility and apply today: https://lnkd.in/euhahBHZ

Reconnect at our first Midday Mingle since Hurricane Helene! Join us on Wednesday, November 20, from Noon - 1:30 PM at Voodoo Brewing Co. off of Sweeten Creek, where we’ll gather over a delicious lunch to share stories, rebuild connections, and celebrate our community’s resilience. For $16, enjoy a menu packed with hummus platters, giant pretzels, pulled pork sliders, wings, and more. Bring a friend or colleague—everyone who attends is entered to win a member spotlight on our social media! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eChpdFgz

Over 800 people attended today’s WNC MTN Strong Career Fair at City of Asheville Harrah’s Cherokee Center. Thanks to 75+ employers and many resource partners like FEMA Pisgah Legal Services Literacy Together (formerly Literacy Council of Buncombe County) Catholic Charities for participating!

Thank you to everyone who joined us at last week's WomanUP Celebration! Congratulations to our incredible winners and nominees. You can see all of the photos from the event on our Facebook page here: https://lnkd.in/eJB4KcVG Meet the winners here: https://lnkd.in/epbN8WSs Photos by Silver Moon Custom Art & Photography.

Today for #MemberMonday we're featuring Catholic Charities USA! Catholic Charities serves people in need in the western half of North Carolina (46 counties and the Qualla Boundary). You don’t have to be Catholic to be served by Catholic Charities. We just help people in need. In response to Hurricane Helene, Catholic Charities has distributed essential supplies like water, food, diapers, hygiene products, toiletries, pet food, and more throughout western North Carolina, and we’re offering financial assistance to anyone who has been affected by the storm through direct assistance, case management, and clinical mental health counseling to go along with refugee resettlement and immigration legal services. To learning more about the work Catholic Charities is doing in Western North Carolina visit https://bit.ly/3O0TQyf.

It's Fresh Faces Friday! We’re thrilled to welcome an amazing group of new members to the Chamber! Join us in saying hello to: ?? Engaged Asheville/Honeysuckle Hill ?? Suzy Landan, Edward Jones ?? The American Chestnut Foundation ?? The Greer Group, Inc. ?? Thrivent Financial ?? Phyllis Utley ?? Mr. Handyman ?? Mayrx Recovery ?? Summit Capital Ventures ?? Arbor Zen Hardwood Floors Thank you for choosing to be part of our community! We can’t wait to see the incredible things you’ll accomplish. A heartfelt welcome also goes out to the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, TRINIDAD-LAS ANIMAS COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce and Wilmington Chamber of Commerce! Thank you for your support and solidarity following Hurricane Helene. We’re stronger together.