Western North Carolina is a creative hub, a melting pot of creators and art mediums. There is an untapped industry for creative businesses making in multiples, keeping production in-house and maintaining individually crafted pieces. From traditional crafts such as pottery, metalworking, and fiber arts to natural products such as oils and body lotions, numerous businesses thrive independently, waiting for opportunities and resources to scale up. Given the right opportunities, training, funding, and marketing, the creative businesses of this region can expand, increase the workforce, pass along knowledge of trades, and boost the local economy.
Appalachian Regional Commission POWER Grant
The Appalachian Regional Commission approved a capacity grant for partners to grow community, capacity, strength, and sustainability in the creative manufacturing economy across 26 counties in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust is an additional funder.
Research for this program began in 2021, and the grant was awarded in 2023.
Counties Served
- Alexander
- Alleghany
- Ashe
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Caldwell
- Catwaba
- Cherokee
- Clay
- Cleveland
- Graham
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Macon
- Madison
- McDowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Swain
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Wilkes
- Yancey
Phases
Phase 1 consists of recommendations for building six support systems: Guidance, Markets, Peers, Capital, Space, Workforce.
Phase 2 will focus on the different support systems and five key recommendations.
1. Training and entrepreneurial ecosystem expansion.
2. Facilitated growth funding for creative manufacturers.
3. Increasing market access.
4. Shared spaces and equipment.
5. Growing the Creative Manufacturing Business Network.
Partners
Land of Sky Regional Council
Land of Sky Regional Council is a multi-county, local government, planning, and development organization. It provides technical assistance to local governments and administers projects and programs benefiting WNC’s region’s citizens. These include economic and community development, volunteer services, the Area Agency on Aging, Mountain Area Workforce Development, and Mountain Mobility.
Role: Grant Management
Contact: Energy & Economic Development Manager: Sara Nichols, sara@landofsky.org
Arts AVL
The ArtsAVL’s (formerly Asheville Area Arts Council) mission is to keep the arts at the heart of our community. The Arts Council fulfills its mission by supporting arts professionals and businesses in Buncombe County through Connection, Advocacy, and Grants.
Role: ArtsAVL Creative Portal, Creative Manufacturing Business Network support
Contact: Executive Director: Katie Cornell, katie@artsavl.org
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area
The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area is a nonprofit organization that preserves, cultivates, and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of 25 Western North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary to benefit current and future generations.
Role: Marketing Access and Project Brand Development
Contact: Executive Director: Angie Chandler, angie@blueridgeheritage.com
Center for Craft
Based in Asheville, the Center for Craft is dedicated to resourcing, catalyzing, and amplifying how and why craft matters. They increase access to craft by empowering and resourcing artists, organizations, and communities through grants, fellowships, and programs that bring people together.
Role: Shared Workspace and Equipment, Shipping & Packing Station, Cowork at Center for Craft
Contact: Director of Operations: Erika Kofler, ekofler@centerforcraft.org
Craft Your Commerce | Mountain Bizworks
Craft Your Commerce is an entrepreneurial program designed to connect, elevate, and advance creative and craft-centered companies through business training workshops and classes designed by makers for makers.
Role: Training and Entrepreneurial Expansion, Creative Manufacturing Business Network, Facilitated Growth Funding for Creative Manufacturers
Contact: Craft Your Commerce Program Director: Jamie Karolich, jamie@mountainbizworks.org
Additional Information
The Creative Manufacturing Project was publically introduced on August 6, 2024. A presentation was given to explain the grant, program goals and phases, and additional information. View the full presentation here.
Interested in scaling your craft business? Fill out this form, and we’ll be in touch!