What’s New
Lewis Real Estate and the BCTDA Announce Relocation of Tourism Office
January 11, 2017 – Lewis Real Estate and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) announced plans for the relocation of the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) to the Asheville Office Park at College Street and Town Mountain Road. Previously the home to Shaw University and located adjacent to the soon-to-be built Element Hotel, the two-story building at 31 College Place will be gutted and re-designed over the next six months to create inviting, open space that reflects the region’s destination brand. ACVB will become the anchor tenant and a significant part of the ongoing revitalization of the eastern gateway to the central business district. “The building will be a centerpiece...
BCTDA Awards Nearly $4 Million to Community Projects
October 26, 2016 — The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) awarded five community projects $3,930,000 in funding today from the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF). The funds, generated from a portion of the room tax revenues paid by overnight visitors in Buncombe County lodging accommodations, will go toward three theater projects, a WNC Farmers Market revitalization project and additional features at Montreat College’s Pulliam Stadium. “The collection of projects funded in this TPDF cycle holds significant community value while also being supported by the industry,” said BCTDA Chair Paula Wilber, vice president of sales at Biltmore. “Together they will elevate the arts experience,...
BCTDA Provides $50,500 in Grants to 14 Festivals
September 28, 2016 — The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) voted today to provide $50,500 in grants to support 14 community festivals and events. Utilizing discretionary advertising revenue from the ExploreAsheville.com website, BCTDA developed a Festivals and Cultural Events Support Fund in early 2016. The new grant program is a mechanism to foster festivals and cultural events that serve Buncombe County residents as well as visitors to the area. The primary purposes of this fund are: • To support and preserve cultural identity within Buncombe County • To stimulate the creation of new or expansion of existing tourism Events • To help events grow With the redesign of the...
BCTDA Takes Steps to Establish Independent Organization
August 31, 2016 — The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) took steps today toward establishing the Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau as a new, independent organization. It is anticipated that the process will be finalized by June 30, 2017. The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce has been a stalwart advocate of tourism and served at the forefront of efforts to create the Blue Ridge Parkway, promote the authentic culture of the region and shine a spotlight on the handmade craft industry. This leadership helped shape the Asheville area tourism experience and greatly contributed to the quality of life in the region. The creation of BCTDA in 1983, as part of the hotel occupancy tax...
BCTDA Awards Nearly $3.9 million to Community Projects
October 28, 2015 — The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (BCTDA) awarded six community projects $3.9 million in funding today from the Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF), including $3.1 million for projects owned by the City of Asheville. Greenways, soccer fields and the WNC Nature Center are among the City of Asheville-owned assets that collectively received 80 percent of the allocated funding. “The TPDF recipients in this cycle represent a collection of multifaceted capital projects that develop and sustain destination offerings while benefiting other local economic sectors—and the greater community—with facilities and infrastructure that enrich daily life for all of us in Asheville,” said...
What’s New
‘One Buncombe’ Grant Fund Helps Retain 406 Living-Wage Jobs with Assistance of Buncombe County TDA
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.
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.
Tourism Community Update: A Recap of the BCTDA June Board Meeting
The TOURISM COMMUNITY UPDATE provides highlights of Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority meetings. Click through for a recap of the BCTDA’s June 2021 meeting, including a presentation on Explore Asheville’s new agency-of-record and an update on two Tourism Product Development Fund community projects.
Explore Asheville’s Strategic Imperatives
Community Partners