Asheville Reporter

On January 14, the Asheville City Council voted to authorize the City Manager to sign a contract with the Asheville Downtown Community Improvement District for downtown Business Improvement District (BID) services. The decision was made after a competitive selection process, resulting in the award going to the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID). This organization is a partnership between the Asheville Downtown Association, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Nexstreet (MWBE), all based in Asheville, NC.

The initial contract term is set for three years, with two optional one-year renewals. The City Council retains authority over approving the annual BID Budget and setting the tax rate needed to fund it. The contracted BID Operator must report regularly to both the City Council and the public while tracking data and engaging with the community to assess service effectiveness.

Assistant City Manager Ben Woody highlighted during his presentation that "supporting the success and resilience of downtown – our region’s center of employment and commerce – is critical to recovery." This comes as part of efforts toward economic recovery following Hurricane Helene.

The ADID team plans to hire a Business Resiliency Coordinator who will assist existing businesses and those displaced by Hurricane Helene. This role involves collaborating with various agencies to leverage resources for small business recovery and coordinating marketing initiatives that support local economic growth.

A timeline was shared detailing steps for implementing services:

- January 31, 2025: Contract execution

- February/March 2025: Hiring and training of BID staff

- March 2025: Launch of initial services including business engagement, staff hiring, board selection

- April 1: Start of on-the-ground services

- March/April 2025: Reporting activities to City Manager’s Office and Downtown Commission

- June 2025: Full operational status

By state law, BID services must begin within one year of formation or by June 30, 2025.

Further updates on this project can be found on its designated page online.