Asheville Business Inclusion
Asheville Business Inclusion
The City of Asheville's Business Inclusion Office is responsible for supporting the implementation of the City of Asheville Business Inclusion Contracting Policy. The Business Inclusion Office actively seeks to identify minority- and women-owned businesses for opportunities 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 MWBE Certification page.
The intent of Business Inclusion is to:
- Widen opportunities for participation
- Increase competition
- Ensure the proper and diligent use of public funds.
- Increasing the City’s awareness of available minority, women, and small business vendors
- Increasing Minority / Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) utilization in City contracting
- Promoting existing and start-up development of small business growth and profitability in the Asheville Regional Area
- Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on Minority and Women Business Enterprises
It is the City of Asheville’s policy to:
- Provide minorities equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of city contracting and purchasing programs, including but not limited to participation in procurement, professional, and construction contracts; and
- Prohibit discrimination against any person or business in pursuit of these opportunities on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, familial status, or national origin, and to conduct its contracting and purchasing programs so as to prevent any discrimination and to resolve all claims of such discrimination.
For more information about doing business with The City of Asheville, visit Purchasing Vendor Registration & MWBE Certification. For information about the Disparity Study, visit the project page.
Minority and Women Business Enterprise Certification Resources
Minority and Woman Owned Business Certification
State of North Carolina’s Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses
Search Options for Minority and Women Businesses
If you are a prime contractor or business looking to subcontract please consult the links below.
City of Asheville Certified Vendor List
State of North Carolina’s Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Small Business Administration’s Dynamic Small Business Search
Other Useful Links:
Click here to see current Bid Opportunities
Vendor Outreach Event
The City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office is hosting a vendor outreach event focused on connecting with Minority- and Women-owned businesses in the construction industry.
The event will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 5:30-7:00 pm at the 8 River Arts Place in Asheville, NC.
The event will focus on access to capital and will specifically highlight the Mountain Community Capital Fund (MCCF).
The Mountain Community Capital Fund is a loan guarantee fund for small business loans available to entrepreneurs in Asheville and Buncombe County. It is a collaboration between Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Mountain BizWorks, Self-Help Credit Union, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County.
This loan fund is intended for business owners who don't have collateral, which can be a barrier to getting a business loan. It is available to all entrepreneurs living within the City of Asheville or Buncombe County. Entrepreneurs of color and borrowers with low incomes are encouraged to apply. This fund is intended for loans in the range of $5,000 to $70,000, although larger loan amounts may be considered.
Presenters from the 3 lending partners and Buncombe County will be in attendance.
Registration is not required, and light refreshments will be served. This outreach event is the first in a series. Upcoming events will be announced in the near future. We look forward to seeing you there!
Vendor Outreach Event
The City of Asheville’s Business Inclusion Office is hosting a vendor outreach event focused on connecting with Minority- and Women-owned businesses in the construction industry.
The event will be held on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, from 4:00-6:00 pm at the Maple Crest Apartments – Community Room. Address: 20 Lee Walker Lane Asheville, NC 28801.
The goals of the outreach event are to 1) connect with MWBE vendors in the Asheville area, 2) introduce these companies to Prime contractors looking for subcontractors, 3) share the City’s Capital Improvement plans for the new fiscal year, 4) share information on where to find bidding opportunities with the City, and 5) connect with project managers from various City departments.
Who should attend? Minority- or Women-owned businesses who work in the construction trades or other services related to construction are strongly encouraged to attend.
Registration is not required, and light refreshments will be served. This outreach event is the first in a series. Upcoming events will be announced in the near future. We look forward to seeing you there!