Good news! Recent data from the North Carolina Business Council says within the last 20 years, the number of minority-owned businesses has nearly tripled in Asheville North Carolina.
Angelica Driver from Asheville’s Business and Inclusion Office said we’re seeing more minority-owned businesses, like Barboza’s Brazilian restaurant.
“I think we have this exciting phase where there’s even more interest on the part of the business development resource organizations we have in Asheville and some new organizations that support minority-owned businesses,” Driver said. Additionally, Asheville currently has 100 certified businesses, 56 owned by Black, Indigenous, and people of color and 44 by white women.
Asheville offers programs to help minority business owners, such as partnerships and relationship-building programs.
According to the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, Buncombe County has seen steady growth over the last five years. In 2021 there were more than 10,537 payrolled business locations, which is an increase of almost 200 businesses from 2020 when there were 10,343 payrolled businesses.