Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains, the Asheville area attracts newcomers for its astounding quality of life, low crime rate and welcoming entrepreneurial environment. Known for its culinary delights, history, architecture, natural settings and as a Mecca for adventure lovers, Asheville has something for everyone. 
Whether your ideal Asheville visit takes you gallery hopping on Broadway, antique shopping in Biltmore Village, trekking along the Appalachian Trail, or to a downtown show at a rock club named one of the top five in the country by Rolling Stone Magazine, the Asheville area has something guaranteed to delight every visitor. Don’t just take our word for it…experience it for yourself. 
Ask almost any Chamber member why they are a member and they’ll tell you—in Asheville, it’s the most important way to meet people and grow your business. As North Carolina’s third largest Chamber, the Asheville Chamber includes more than 2,000 businesses, organizations and coalitions. Members know the value a membership provides. Find out how members find value with the Asheville Chamber. 
Look at snapshots from Chamber events and view videos of Chamber programming and events. 
Meet and connect with the leadership team that sets goals and leads the activities of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. 
Young Professionals of Asheville (YPA) is a non-profit organization focused on connecting young professionals through community and social events. Get involved and learn more about opportunities for business networking, professional development, service through volunteering, leadership training and social events. 
Do you have questions about the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce? Are you wondering where we are located, what we do, or how to find photos of the Asheville area? We’ve listed answers to our most frequently asked questions here. 
The Asheville region has expertise in several dynamic talent driven industries. Local businesses, educational programs, and community leaders are working in collaboration to nurture and grow these targeted sectors. 
Many businesses are thriving in Asheville and yours could be next. Here are a few of the local businesses making headlines recently. 
Consider the Economic Development staff your one-stop resource for connecting to the Asheville community. Find a complete list of staff available to help you plan the next phase of your business. 
Asheville’s economy and industry is constantly evolving. Keep up to date on the latest industry announcements and plans here. Contact the EDC staff if your company has exciting news to share with the community. 
Education
What do you want to learn?
If you have a desire to learn, odds are you can find a teacher or class to help you do just that in Asheville.
Education is integral to the Asheville area; it’s an important part of our culture born from the independent spirit of mountain people. The area’s early settlers lived in relative isolation in the Blue Ridge Mountains and had to learn quickly to adapt and grow.
K-12 schools enjoy community support
Public schools K-12 in the Asheville area offer time-honored teaching methods combined with experiential learning. The community values teachers and often pitches in to support efforts both in and outside the classroom. Asheville has six elementary, two secondary and one combined public school. The county has 30 elementary, nine secondary, and one combined school. Asheville city and Buncombe county mean SAT scores are well above the mean NC scores and exceed the US mean scores.
Private schools also abound in the area, including some of the best boarding schools in the US. You’ll also find a variety of faith-based schools with challenging curriculums.
Postsecondary schools abound
Asheville is home to University of North Carolina Asheville (UNC Asheville)—a four year liberal arts university that’s part of the UNC system. Montreat College, Warren Wilson College, and Mars Hill College are nearby. AB-Tech, Asheville’s community college, offers both general and trade curriculums for students of all ages. Other colleges also have branches in the area, and Western Carolina University in Cullowhee is only an hour away from downtown Asheville.
You’ll find many continuing education and lifelong learning classes and programs in Asheville. Affiliated with UNC Asheville, the Center for Creative Retirement offers excellent classes and activities for adults. Other colleges provide their own adult studies. Spiritual and health and wellness program of study are also easy to discover here.
Black Mountain College sets the standard
The former Black Mountain College provides a fascinating example of the area’s dedication to education. The college opened in 1933 with a strong belief that the study and practice of art were a critical part of a student's general liberal arts education. Managed by its faculty, all college community members helped operate the school, forming a tight-knit group that valued creative intensity and individuality.
The college turned out a “who’s who” of critical thinkers and artists until its demise in 1957. The school’s Board of Directors included William Carlos Williams and Albert Einstein. Some graduates included Willem and Elaine de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Josef and Anni Albers, Jacob Lawrence, Arthur Penn, Buckminster Fuller, and Dorothea Rockburn.
The spirit of Black Mountain College lives on in the multitude of educational opportunities here today. Learning opportunities range from studying and creating arts and crafts, to making music ranging from classical to mountain bluegrass, to lifelong learning. Public and private k-12 educational institutions, charter schools, technical and community colleges, and several universities offer abundant curriculum choices.