impact

Tens of thousands of creative and culinary workers who call WNC “home” face an uncertain future.

Helene had a devastating impact on all Western North Carolina with artists, creative businesses, and the food & beverage industry being hit especially hard. While many had property damage, all were impacted by business interruption due to the hurricane throughout the busiest time of the year, peak foliage season. The loss of tourism traffic and the cancellation of countless music performances, arts and crafts festivals, hospitality reservations, and events has hit these two sectors hard, and the winter “slow months” will be especially challenging.

• In the 26 impacted counties, creative industries account for $1.18 billion in sales, supporting over 17,500 jobs, which does not include the thousands of western North Carolinians who are “gig workers” or those whose arts job is not their primary source of income.

• Travel and hospitality brings $3 billion into Asheville and Buncombe County annually, with nearly 30% of that going to food and beverage businesses.

• In the last fiscal year, total food sales for Buncombe County was $1.35 billion.

• Food and beverage is the largest leisure, hospitality and tourism sub-sector in Buncombe County, employing 14,500 people in 2022. Employment in full-service restaurants accounted for just over one-half of food and beverage employment in 2022.

• 20 years ago our area’s food and beverage community was sourcing from around 20 area farms; in 2022 that had grown to sustaining around 200 farms.

These jobs are not only an important part of what attracts people to visit our beautiful and diverse region, but are a significant draw for new residents and crucial to the foundation of current communities.