Business Buzz: June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

Award:

  • George Masa Biography Wins Top Regional Honors – Smokies Life’s 2024 publication George Masa: A Life Reimagined has earned two prestigious awards: the 2024 North Caroliniana Society Book Award and a 2025 Award of Excellence from the East Tennessee Historical Society. Coauthored by Janet McCue and Paul Bonesteel, the biography is the first fully researched account of the Japanese photographer and conservationist whose work helped spur the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail. The book was praised for its historical depth and literary merit. Learn more at SmokiesLife.org.
  • BP Solutions Group Takes Home 10 Awards at 2024 PICA Awards – BP Solutions Group is celebrating a standout showing at the 2024 PICA (Printing Industry of the Carolinas) Awards, earning 10 honors including five Best of Category awards and the Canon Award for Best Printing in Division C. Recognized for their expertise in packaging, color precision, and finishing, BP Solutions continues to elevate brand experiences through high-quality print innovation. Learn more.

Grant Opportunity:

  • Dogwood Health Trust Launches Grant Opportunity for Older Adult Services – Dogwood Health Trust is now accepting proposals for a new funding initiative aimed at supporting older adults in Western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 will be awarded to nonprofits and public entities offering general operations or program-specific support for adults age 60+ and their caregivers. Applications open July 7 and are due by August 4. All grantees will join Dogwood’s Older Adult Collaborative for peer learning and systems-change strategy. Details and registration for the June 25 info session available at dht.org.

Happenings:

  • Neighborhood Fun at the 5 Points Flea Market – Mark your calendar for Saturday, June 21, and head to Mt. Clare Avenue for the 5 Points Community Flea Market! From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., explore vintage finds, antiques, crafts, and more—plus food trucks, a silent auction, and a neighborhood-wide yard sale map for those who want to wander. Organized by the 5 Points Neighborhood Association, the event is all about bringing neighbors and local businesses together to celebrate community spirit. Learn more at www.5pointsasheville.org.
  • Celebrating Freedom: 2025 Juneteenth Events Across Asheville – The Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County, in partnership with the City of Asheville, has announced a full week of free, public Juneteenth events from June 16–20. The lineup includes films, discussions, genealogy workshops, a fashion show and gala, and a Juneteenth edition of Downtown After 5. Events aim to honor the legacy of emancipation, educate the community, and celebrate African American culture and resilience. Find the full schedule and details on the City’s website.
  • RISE: Fly Fishing Festival Announced for August 24 – Wrong Way Campground and Uproar Concept have unveiled RISE: A Fly Fishing Festival, a one-day celebration of the French Broad River community set for August 24 – just ahead of the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Helene. The free, public event will feature live music, casting competitions, family-friendly activities, a tattoo pop-up, and outdoor brand showcases. Proceeds will support RiverLink and the French Broad Riverkeeper, while a special guide expo will help fly fishing guides impacted by the storm rebuild. More at wrongwaycampground.com.

Hire:

  • Asheville Symphony Appoints New Concertmasters for 2025–2026 Season – The Asheville Symphony has named Dr. Brian Allen as its new First Concertmaster and Jackie Tso as its inaugural Second Concertmaster—marking a major expansion in artistic leadership. Allen, a seasoned orchestral violinist and educator, will debut at the free Symphony in the Park concert on August 31. Tso, currently Concertmaster of the Greenville Symphony, brings international competition experience and Juilliard training to her new role. Both will help shape the Symphony’s artistic direction alongside Music Director Darko Butorac. Learn more.

Regional Support:

  • Mast Store Donates $20K to Support Small Business Recovery – As part of its ongoing Mountain Strong initiative, Mast General Store has donated $20,000 to the Boone Area Chamber Foundation to help small businesses recover from Hurricane Helene. The donation was announced during a June 12 event celebrating the store’s legacy and the Cooper family’s community impact. With this latest gift, Mountain Strong contributions now total $150,000, supporting recovery efforts across Western North Carolina—including previous donations to Spruce Pine, Asheville, and the River Arts District. Learn more at mastgeneralstore.com.