ASHEVILLE — Western North Carolina's manufacturing economy is showing signs of resilience despite a wave of post-Hurricane Helene layoffs, with more than 310 regional manufacturers actively advertising upward of 4,400 job openings as companies compete for skilled workers in a tightening labor market.
The N.C. Department of Commerce reports that manufacturing remains one of the region's largest employment sectors, supporting more than 100,000 workers across the mountain counties. The sector took a hit in the months following Helene's October 2024 landfall, with several companies—including Baxter International, a major medical products manufacturer—announcing layoffs that rattled community confidence. In early 2026, Baxter confirmed a reduction of 90 roles at its North Cove facility in Marion, citing a decrease in demand for IV fluids as hospitals continue conservation efforts.
Economists monitoring the region say the contraction appears to be stabilizing. New capital investment from existing and incoming manufacturers, combined with sustained demand for precision, advanced, and industrial products, is generating opportunities that in some cases exceed the jobs lost in the storm's aftermath.
Beyond the factory floor, the creative and hospitality economy is also showing recovery momentum. Lamplight AVL is moving forward with its 2 Westwood project in West Asheville, offering affordable artist studios with a phased rollout expected through 2026. The project is designed to preserve studio access for working artists who faced displacement after Helene damaged or destroyed numerous workspaces in the River Arts District.
Village Wayside Bar and Grille, a community dining staple that suffered significant Helene damage in Biltmore Village, is also planning a return at a new location in Grovewood Village (North Asheville). This move adds to a cluster of small businesses signaling renewed confidence in the region's recovery trajectory.
Workforce development officials are urging displaced workers to connect with community college retraining programs, apprenticeship pipelines, and state-funded job placement services as the regional labor market continues to rebalance in the storm's long aftermath, according to workforce development officials.