Our Economic Development department staffs the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC). The EDC is a public-private partnership funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and private investors through the AVL 5×5 Campaign.
Chair: Jay Richardson
Secretary: Kit Cramer, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
Mike Baer, Hatch Innovation Hub
Allison Blake, Soulku
Lew Bleiweis, Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority
Debra Campbell, City of Asheville
Dr. James Causby, Asheville City Schools
Dr. John D. Gossett, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Dr. Robert Jackson, Buncombe County Schools
Greg Lowe, Mission Health
Esther Manheimer, Mayor, City of Asheville
Lee McElrath, Dominion Energy
Michael Meguiar, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Andy Nadeau, Bank of America
Jim Oliver, AvL Technologies
John Oswald Sr., Mills Manufacturing Group
Avril Pinder, Buncombe County
Jael Skeffington, French Broad Chocolates
Sabrina Rockoff, Mcguire Wood & Bissette Law Firm
Robby Russell, First National Bank
Jason Walls, Duke Energy
Mike Baer, Hatch Innovation Hub
Alfred Whitesides, Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
EDC meetings occur on the last Friday of the month at 8:15 a.m. at the Asheville Chamber 2nd floor boardroom at 36 Montford Ave. unless noted. All details are subject to change. For information about meetings, contact dmonstrola@ashevillechamber.org