PROpel AVL

Join us for an evening of connection, great food, and drinks at The Village Porch benefiting local businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. This event takes on new meaning as we come together in the aftermath of this disaster. We’ll raise funds for the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Mountain Strong Fund for Business Recovery throughout the evening. Your donations will directly support local businesses as they rebuild and recover, making a tangible difference in our community’s recovery efforts. While Halloween costumes are optional, they’re encouraged for added fun and levity! The Village Porch, a family-friendly sports bar with great food, 23 taps, and a relaxed atmosphere, will be perfect for reconnecting, sharing stories, and supporting one another during this challenging time. Whether you're playing darts, singing karaoke, or hanging out on the patio, this event is about coming together as a community. No registration is required. Parking is free throughout Reynolds Village, with options in front and behind the restaurant.

We've got some exciting new offerings at our Business Recovery Center in the Asheville Visitor Center to help our local businesses bounce back from Hurricane Helene. Our Business Recovery Workspace is a FREE temporary workspace, sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne University, available on the second floor for displaced business owners, nonprofits, and employees. 📅 Open Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM through December 30th 💻 Bring your laptop and take advantage of this dedicated space to keep your operations running smoothly! First come, first serve. Plus, we've added some other valuable in-person services on the first floor - Kudzu Brands & Western Women's Business Center have joined U.S. Small Business Administration, Colton Groome Financial, NC SBTDC and Mountain BizWorks to provide essential support, from marketing and financial planning to disaster loan assistance. Find out more and access all our recovery resources at https://lnkd.in/ez49xZrv. #MountainStrong #MtnStrong4Biz #BusinessRecoveryCenter #AshevilleChamber

We are now hosting a Business Recovery Center with the U.S. Small Business Administration at the Visitor Center (36 Montford Ave) to support businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the center offers SBA disaster loan assistance, guidance, and resources for recovery. We’ve also added five portable toilets and handwashing stations for those in need. Walk-ins welcome! Let's rebuild together! Learn more about the recovery center and find a helpful factsheet here: https://bit.ly/4exPxG8 Just want to do it online? Head to sba.gov/hurricane-helene. #HurricaneHelene #AshevilleChamber #SBA

Work-related stress knows no difference between titles, pay grades, or how long you’ve worked in your field. By building resilience and enhancing your resources, you can overcome your stress and continue to succeed! Join us on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 8th, to learn from Lindsay Coward, Founder of Yoga Nut, how to overcome stress in the workplace. In addition to being the Founder of Yoga Nut, Lindsay Coward has a Master’s in Public Health and is a Certified Yoga Instructor + with many more accomplishments; she has supported business teams since 2011 by teaching mindfulness sessions, well-being practices, and tools for stress management. As an entrepreneur, former corporate employee and mama of three, Lindsay knows what it's like to feel stretched thin and with limited time in the day. She also knows the importance of filling your tank and how to do so seamlessly so that you can show up for all aspects of your life. + Enjoy a delicious lunch of salad, sandwiches, and chips from Del Vecchios! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eYUxdZqA Thanks to our presenting sponsors Pratt & Whitney, Emergency Tech Repair, Western Carolina University, Asheville Sun Soo Tae Kwon DO and Forvis Mazars US for making this event possible!

It's #NationalVoterRegistrationDay! Because many people only vote during presidential elections, 2024 will be the first time millions of Americans plan to vote in four years. A lot can happen in four years that may require an updated voter registration—a move across town or state lines, marriage or separation, a name change, naturalization, or just turning 18—and National Voter Registration Day is the perfect day to do it. Check your voter registration status or register to vote at vote.gov!

Want to win a $100 gift card AND improve the future of Buncombe for years to come? Share your thoughts on what you’d like to see for our economy and jobs in Buncombe County. Take our Community Survey and enter our drawing for a $100 gift card. Your input will help us update our AVL 5x5 strategies that will steer economic development for the coming five years. Learn more & take the survey: https://bit.ly/3XsmpZs

Yesterday, our GROW series brought together young professionals for a super insightful session on "The Nonprofit Landscape in Asheville and the Surrounding Region." Laura Herndon from The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and Jeannette Butterworth from WNC Nonprofit Pathways shared their expertise on connecting needs and resources, and best practices for nonprofit board service. If you couldn’t make it, you can watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/e46KHzMK

Walt Hill is the Wholesale Accounts Manager and Sales Representative at Biscuit Head, bringing over a decade of experience in the food and beverage industry to his role. With a strong background that began with graduating high school with honors, Walt has dedicated much of his time to community involvement and advocacy. He serves on the Board of Directors for Youth Outright and is an admin for the WNC Queer Professionals Networking Group, which has grown to over 500 members. Walt is also passionate about supporting friends and local artists at drag shows, helping cater Asheville Drag Brunch events at Banks Ave that benefit local nonprofits, and offering his services as an emotional support human in his pet-sitting side gig. His hobbies also include hiking, kayaking, reading, comic books, and karaoke. Walt became involved with PROpel AVL to learn more about professionals in his demographic, connect further with the vibrant Asheville community, and ensure that folx like him in the LGBTQ+ community have a seat at the table. His goal is to support his neighbors and help build a more inclusive community. One of Walt's favorite things about Western North Carolina and Asheville is the spirit behind the phrase "Keep Asheville Weird." He believes this motto encourages everyone to show up as their most authentic selves, and he hopes to perpetuate that sentiment. For Walt, when people are empowered to be authentic, it creates the foundation for co-creating a better world for all. Say hi 👋 to Walt if you see him at an upcoming event!

Join us next Tuesday afternoon (9/10) for our Grow Series on the Nonprofit Landscape in Asheville and the Surrounding Region! Presented by Laura Herndon of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC) and Jeannette Butterworth of WNC Nonprofit Pathways, this session will explore the charitable landscape and critical needs in our region. Attendees will learn how philanthropy and nonprofit board service can make a difference in our community. Plus, enjoy sandwiches, salad, and chips catered by Del Vecchios! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eN5An7UD

Make an impact by volunteering at BOUNTY & SOUL's annual Farm to Fork fundraiser on the evening of Wednesday, September 18th! 🌽 🍅 🍽️ This event will have volunteers assist in various roles, such as checking in guests, managing name tags, serving as Wagon Ambassadors, and helping behind the scenes with event coordination. Several shifts are available between 4 - 9 PM, so you can pick a role that suits your schedule. Learn more & register: https://bit.ly/4e9glfg Photo courtesy of Posana/2023