Asheville Reporter

The City of Asheville's bi-monthly radio show, "What’s Up AVL!", provides an in-depth look at various city departments and their ongoing projects. In the latest episode, host Sam Parada interviews Minority Business Program Manager Marcus Kirkman and Economic Development Specialist Charlie Savage. The discussion focuses on the goals and programs of the Business Inclusion Office and community opportunities fostered by the Economic Development Team.

The Business Inclusion Office is responsible for implementing the City of Asheville Business Inclusion Contracting Policy. This office actively identifies minority and women-owned businesses to participate as providers of goods and services to the city. “To learn more about how we are working to increase equity in contracting, visit our Business Inclusion Initiative page, where you’ll also find helpful resources for MWBE business owners,” said Kirkman.

The objectives of the Business Inclusion Office include widening opportunities for participation, increasing competition, ensuring proper use of public funds, raising awareness of available minority, women, and small business vendors, increasing MWBEs utilization in city contracting, promoting small business growth in the Asheville Regional Area, and monitoring MWBEs.

For more information on these initiatives, visit the city's Business Inclusion Services page.

The Economic Development Division aims to enhance prosperity for all Ashevillians through various programs including business resource support, youth workforce development support via the City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy, and economic development services through partnerships that focus on job creation and retention with higher-wage opportunities. “Our work includes attracting higher-wage job opportunities within the city,” stated Savage.

Further details can be found on the city's Economic Development page.

Replays of "What’s Up AVL!" can be heard from 12:30-1:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on WRES 100.7 FM. Previous episodes are also available on the City’s YouTube channel.