Budget discussions take center stage tomorrow, March 24, as Buncombe County commissioners meet at 200 College St. in downtown Asheville for a key work session. While the county reviews its long-term capital projects, the City of Asheville is simultaneously navigating a projected $30 million budget deficit for the 2026–27 fiscal year. These financial deliberations, which follow preliminary presentations in January, precede a public hearing on May 19 and final adoption on June 2.
The region’s fiscal focus reflects heightened investments in infrastructure resilience, workforce development, and economic recovery. Leading the city's critical water system upgrades is Bill Hart, who was officially named Asheville’s Water Resources Director on March 16 after spearheading post-Helene recovery efforts.
Economic Momentum and Workforce Wins
Data from the Asheville-Buncombe Economic Development Coalition (EDC) highlights a strong foundation for growth. Between 2020 and 2025, 14 major expansions created 1,627 jobs at an average wage of $61,520, totaling $1 billion in direct investment and adding $1.15 billion to the property tax value, according to city records.
The hospitality sector is also seeing a significant rebound:
Fiscal 2025: Direct spending from 477 meetings and groups reached $67.4 million (a 15% increase).
Lodging: Room nights rose to 115,393 (up 39%), signaling a robust recovery ahead of major 2026 events.
Upcoming Events: Asheville will host the G20 Finance Track (Aug. 29–Sept. 1), the return of the PGA TOUR, and the AFAR/MO Summit retreats.
Investing in the Next Generation
Education remains a priority, with A-B Tech securing $1.04 million for the ABM Works program. This initiative provides internships and technical training for high school students across Asheville, Buncombe, and Madison counties. Additionally, Explore Asheville continues to support local students through dedicated internships and scholarships.
Community and Entrepreneurial Resilience
As the city balances its $30 million deficit with rebuilding needs, community input remains vital. A public meeting for the Owen Park improvement project is scheduled for March 30 at Owen Middle School.
On the entrepreneurial front, local resilience is evident in:
Xico’s new Mexican brunch launch.
Best Buy Metals receiving a repeat Metal of Honor Award.
Continued recognition of the area's Michelin-recognized dining scene.
These developments, alongside events like Recent leadership events, including UNC Asheville’s Health Policy Summit (March 13) and MAHEC’s Business Before Hours (May 19), point toward sustained growth in the tech, health, and tourism sectors.