 |
|
It might be hard to believe, but we’re already closing in on the halfway point of the survey period for the State of Our Workforce: Western NC talent analysis.
We still need your help to reach our goal of 750 employer responses. The reason is simple: the more we know about the workforce needs of employers across the region, the more effective our efforts will be at addressing them.
Every State of Our Workforce: Western NC survey response gets us a step closer to developing strategies to close the skills gap and strengthen our workforce pipeline, which will ensure that employers have the talent they need to succeed.
It takes just 15 minutes to participate and every respondent can enter to win one of our remaining raffle prizes, with more chances to win a prize the sooner your survey is completed.
Learn more and begin your survey here.
~Samantha
|
|
Salute to Small Businesses with an array of events!
|
Small businesses are a vital part of Asheville’s economy: sustaining jobs, adding to our unique culture and innovating. Join other local small business leaders for a series of events May 3 -7 that celebrate and support small businesses!
- On Monday, May 2, we'll hold a virtual program - dates and details coming soon!
- Join us at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Mills River the evening of Tuesday, May 3 for the 2022 Sky High Growth Awards. We'll be recognizing several local businesses who have seen sizable growth in recent years. Registration is required for this event.
- On Wednesday, May 6, join us during lunchtime for our monthly Smart Series: Everyone Knows Marketing Sucks. Lunch will be provided during the program from Sarah Benoit, he lead instructor of JB Media Institute and WomanUP's 2017 Woman Executive of the Year.
- On Thursday, May 5, we'll be holding a presentation and panel about Health Benefits for Small Businesses with panelists Adrian Moore of Friday Health Plans, Desiree Greene and Jake Kimsey of Insurance Service of Asheville, our very own Vice President of Finance & Operations Layton Hower, and local Direct Primary Care (DPC) providers.
- Then, on Thursday, May 5, join us from 5:30 to 7 for Business After Hours, 5:30-7 p.m. at Holiday Inn Asheville East. Feel free to bring a raffle prize and bring your business cards to connect (and for a chance to win)!
- Lastly, on Friday, May 6, take part in the annual Chamber Challenge 5k - you can still register for the race today! Whether you sprint or walk to the finish line, we know you're up for the challenge.
Learn more about Small Business Week.
|
|
Sky High Growth Awards on May 3 at Sierra Nevada
|
 The Sky High Growth Awards honor the determination and accomplishments of Asheville's businesses. Honorees are companies experiencing growth (in revenue and workforce) and contributing to our local economy through innovation and hard work.
This year's event on Tuesday, May 3 from 4 - 6 p.m. will be a stand-up reception style event hosted by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, with plenty of opportunity for making new connections and engaging conversation.
Tickets are $15 per person. Guests will receive two beer tickets per person. Cash bar also available.
Check out the full list of recipients and get tickets here.
|
|
Registration still open for the Chamber Challenge
|
 The Chamber Challenge 5k Race on Friday, May 6 is designed to promote community wellness through friendly competition between businesses in the Asheville area.
Encourage your co-workers, family and friends to participate. If you register before May 1, you can save $5 on registration per person.
Thanks to all of our sponsors, including presenting partner Pardee UNC Healthcare and training partner the YMCA of Western North Carolina1
Join in virtually or sign up for in-person event on May 6th.
|
|
Thank you to our volunteers this Volunteer Week!
|
Volunteers are an essential part of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
We're celebrating National Volunteer Week this week by recognizing some of the incredible individuals that help us build community through business.
Thank you for all you do for us and this community!
|
|
Buncombe County Commissioners approve first fund transfer related to Opioid Settlement
|
At the regular meeting on Tuesday, April 19, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a budget amendment of more than $600,000, the first allocation of funds from a recent national opioid settlement.
Additional funds will be received and expended over an 18-year period in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the State of North Carolina and Local Governments on Proceedings Related to the Settlement of Opioid Litigation totaling $16,175,039 for the County.
These funds can be used to create, expand, or sustain programs or services that serve persons with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or any co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or mental health conditions. Funded programs or services may include evidence-based addiction treatment, recovery support services, recovery housing support, employment-related services, early intervention, Naloxone distributions, post-overdose response team, syringe service program, criminal justice diversion programs, addiction treatment for incarcerated persons, and/or reentry programs.
Read more here.
|
|
Register to vote by Friday to participate in primaries
|
The voter registration deadline for the North Carolina Primary Election is Friday, April 22, 2022.
The early voting period runs from Thursday, April 28 to Saturday, May 14, 2022 and Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 17.
To see candidate interviews and find other important election dates, you can check out our 2022 Election Guide here.
To get to know as many of our local candidates as possible, President & CEO Kit Cramer along with Greg Burnette of First Citizens Bank and member of the Chamber’s Advocacy & Policy Committee, interviewed seventeen of the 2022 Asheville Mayor, City Council and District 40 District Attorney.
You can check out the videos through our 2022 Election Guide or on our YouTube.
Keep an eye out ahead of early voting to see a chart outlining each candidate's stance on major issues.
|
|
Participate in the State of Our Workforce Survey
|
We know building a stronger, more diverse workforce is key to both helping employers fill available jobs today and ensuring our region's economic wellbeing tomorrow. But in order to fill gaps in our talent pipeline, we need to understand them.
That's why we're asking you to participate in the 2022 State of Our Workforce: Western NC survey.
The State of Our Workforce: Western NC survey takes just 15 minutes to complete and will help regional workforce partners improve our region's workforce pipeline and ensure that area employers have the workforce they need to succeed.
To ensure strong participation, we'll hold raffles throughout the survey period, which ends May 31, 2022.
Participants who complete the survey can choose to be entered to win gifts and experiences from WNC makers and businesses including Kimpton Hotel Arras, East Fork, Highland Brewing, Poppy Handcrafted Popcorn and more! Raffle drawings will be conducted throughout the survey period, so the sooner participants complete a survey, the more chances there will be to win a prize.
Learn more about State of Our Workforce Survey and participate.
|
|
Chamber Events:
Mark your calendars and register in advance for our events!
May 2 - 4: Asheville Small Business Week
Tuesday, May 3: Sky High Growth Awards
4 - 6 p.m. | Sierra Nevada Brewing Company | Registration Required
Wednesday, May 6: Smart Series: Everyone Knows Marketing Sucks
12 - 1 p.m. | Chamber 2nd Floor Board Room | Registration Requested
Thursday, May 5: Health Benefits for Small Businesses
9 - 10 a.m. | Chamber 2nd Floor Board Room | No Registration
Thursday, May 5: May Business After Hours
5:30 - 7 p.m. | Holiday Inn Asheville East | No Registration
Friday, May 6: Chamber Challenge 5k
4 p.m. | Asheville Chamber | Registration Required
Thursday, May 19: WomanUP Workshop - Spring 2022
8 - 10:30 a.m. | Crowne Plaza Resort Expo Center | Registration Required
Thursday, May 19: May Policy on Tap
3:30 - 5 p.m. | New Belgium Brewing | No Registration
Ribbon Cuttings:
Friday, April 22: Ribbon Cutting for Wild Birds Unlimited
12 - 5 p.m. | Wild Birds Unlimited | No Registration
Wednesday, April 27: Grand Opening of Julieta Fumberg Creative
4 - 6 p.m. | Julieta Fumberg Creative | No Registration
Thursday, April 28: Grand Opening of Verner Center for Early Learning
4 - 6 p.m. | Verner Center for Early Learning | No Registration
Wednesday, May 4: Grand Opening of AdventHealth Medical Group Multispecialty
4 - 6 p.m. | AdventHealth Medical Group Multispecialty | No Registration
Community Events:
Friday, April 22: Softness and Lightness - Yoga Workshop with Brian Hogencamp
Friday, April 22: Enza Home Furnishings & Mattresses Spring Clearance Tent Sale
Saturday, April 23: Drip, Drip Drop: A WATER Adventure
Tuesday, April 26: The Basics of Syndication Investing
|
|
Thank you to these top partners!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
