Asheville is the economic hub for the western part of North Carolina. Asheville's economy includes manufacturing industries such as furniture, textiles, electrical products and printed products. Other sectors playing important roles for the economy include healthcare, tourism, and the government. The developing technology sector has also been adding jobs in the city.
The major fields of employment in Asheville are healthcare, education, construction, professional, scientific and technical services; social assistance, and accommodation and food services. Management, professional and related occupations comprise 36% of the workforce. Sales and office occupations comprise 21% of the labor force.
Praise for Asheville: The city has been ranked as the #1 place to live by Relocate-America.com. Rated the 7th best place to live in the nation in Frommer's "Cities Ranked and Rated" list. Ranked 23rd out of 200 metro areas for business and careers by Forbes.
Facts about Asheville, North Carolina: Regarding the adult residents, 30% have earned a bachelor's degree or higher. In 2008 the cost of living index was 91.3 (nation's average: 100). In 2009 the average salary in Asheville was $30,000.
The Asheville region's primary employers are provided below:
- Mission-St. Joseph's Health System
- Baxter Healthcare
- Drexel Heritage
- Cone Mills Corp
- Champion International
- Ingles Markets Inc
- ITT Automotive, Sterling Diagnostic Imaging, Inc
- General Electric Lighting Systems
- Grove Park Inn Resort
- Pillowtex Corp., Sonopress, Inc
- Eaton Culter Hammer
- J. Crew Group
- Biltmore Estate
- Collins & Aikman
- Wilsonart International
- VA Hospital
- American Thread Co
- Ecusta Division of P.H. Glatfelter Co
Helpful organizations offering to work with local businesses include:
- Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
- Economic Development Coalition
- North Carolina Economic Developers Association, Inc
- Manufacturers and Chemical Industry Council of North Carolina
The Citizen-Times is a good resource for keeping up-to-date regarding Asheville business and industry news.