Driving the Western North Carolina Tourism & Small Business Ecosystem
By Marge Farrington | Published 2026-06-15T14:50:00.076Z
Business
Asheville Business -- June 15, 2026: Prior to the unprecedented flooding of Hurricane Helene, which destroyed or severely compromised roughly 80% of artist workspaces and displaced over 500 creators, the River Arts District served as a core economic engine for Asheville. The district accounted for an estimated $300 million contribution to the local economy in 2024, supporting over 2,800 jobs.
Asheville Business -- June 15, 2026: Prior to the unprecedented flooding of Hurricane Helene, which destroyed or severely compromised roughly 80% of artist workspaces and displaced over 500 creators, the River Arts District served as a core economic engine for Asheville. The district accounted for an estimated $300 million contribution to the local economy in 2024, supporting over 2,800 jobs.Because the district's creative output directly anchors regional tourism, hospitality, and retail, the B