Western
Mars Hill changing name to attract more students
June 20, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Mars Hill College will become Mars Hill University as the western North Carolina school seeks to broaden its appeal and attract more students.
GE Aviation opening new Asheville plant
June 18, 2013
(The Times-News, Hendersonville)
Jet-engine maker GE Aviation will build a new parts factory in Asheville as part of a larger commitment to invest $195 million across its North Carolina plants. The factory could eventually employ 340 employees.
Mission Hospital wants $350M new building
June 17, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Asheville's Mission Hospital is gearing up for a major transformation, proposing a new $350 million tower that could consolidate its two campuses in the city. The initial goal is to complete the project within four years.
Gaia Herbs keeps growing natural supplement business
June 17, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Brevard-based Gair Herbs, maker of natural supplements, teas and energy shots, continues to grow after a quarter century in business, capitalizing on increasing consumer preferences for the products.
New Grove Park Inn owner pledges things will stay the same
June 14, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Texas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts, the new owner of Asheville's Grove Park Inn, said it doesn't plan big changes for the historic property, which has been undergoing $25 million in renovations initiated by its previous owner.
Asheville's Grove Park Inn sold again
June 13, 2013
(Associated Press)
Asheville's Grove Park Inn is set to change hands again after private-equity firm KSL Capital Partners, which bought the historic venue last year, agreed to sell it to Irving, Texas-based Omni Hotels & Resorts for an undisclosed price. KSL has been spending $25 million to renovate the property.
Landlord identifies GE Aviation as unidentified company seeking incentives
June 12, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
GE Aviation's landlord identified the company as the previously unidentified "Project X" company that is looking to expand in Asheville in exchange for incentives. But the company also is considering Tennessee and South Carolina and could relocate its 100 workers from the city.
Prospects dim for High Carolina golf development
June 10, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
The proposed 3,000-acre High Carolina golf development near Asheville -- once slated to have the first American course designed by Tiger Woods -- is unlikely to be built, according to investors who bought the land out of bankruptcy last year.
Allegiant Air flights begin in Asheville
June 7, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Allegiant Air's route from Asheville Regional Airport to St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in Florida was scheduled to begin Thursday.
Cullowhee seeks identity as thriving college town
June 6, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
Cullowhee, the home of Western Carolina University, wants to develop a park along the Tuckasegee River that it hopes will help transform it into a vibrant college town. Nonprofit booster leaders are planning to conduct an economic impact and feasibility study.
West Asheville building set for restoration
June 3, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
A West Asheville building built during the 1920s is being restored by developers who want to convert it into space for two businesses and apartments. That part of town is increasingly seeing more development.
Haywood County considers economic development change
May 31, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
Haywood County officials are weighing shifting the county's Economic Development Commission to become an arm of the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce.
Morganton brewery expanding west
May 31, 2013
(Morganton News Herald)
Catawba Valley Brewing Co. in Morganton is planning an expansion to Asheville, moving production to a 3,300-square-foot building that will be able to make 300 barrels of beer a year.
New Belgium pushes back timeline for Asheville brewery
May 30, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
New Belgium Brewing Co. has pushed back construction of its East Coast brewery in Asheville by eight months because of new capacity at its Fort Collins brewery. The $175 million project is expected to be completed now by late 2015 or early 2016.
Consultants: Maggie Valley needs to spruce up image
May 30, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
A consultant hired to evaluate Maggie Valley's tourism climate told the town its aesthetics have not kept up with what visitors want. The report is part of an effort by the town to reimagine its business identity after declining for several years.
Study: Boone has too much student housing
May 29, 2013
(The Watauga Democrat)
A study prepared for the Boone Town Council said there is a surplus between 1,200 and 2,500 units for student housing. The home of Appalachian State University lacks enough affordable space though, the study concluded.
Asheville tourism sector makes slow recovery
May 29, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Asheville's tourism sector is improving, albeit slowly, as occupancy rates and hotel fees increase. Relatively high unemployment is still dampening the results.
Jackson County unveils tourism slogan
May 28, 2013
(The Sylva Herald)
Jackson County's Tourism Development Authority chose "Play On" as its new marketing slogan. It picked that over "Base Camp for Life' and "Up to Good."
MedWest health system weighs its future
May 23, 2013
(Smoky Mountain Times)
MedWest health system, a collection of three hospitals in Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties, is exploring a possible sale to a larger health system as it seeks a cash infusion to shore up its struggling balance sheet.
Bill to raise Haywood County lodging tax dies in legislature
May 23, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
Despite widespread support from locally elected officials, a bill that would have raised Haywood County's lodging tax to help pay for tourism initiatives died in the General Assembly. Though supported by many, a faction of Maggie Valley motel owners were against the proposal.
