Additionally, the EDC’s flagship entrepreneurial development program, Venture Asheville, received a 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Award in the “Innovative Financing” category for the 200,000–500,000 population category. The award recognized the EDC’s Optimist Ventures Accelerator and Venture Philanthropy Fund, which launched in 2025 to support storm-impacted businesses in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Together, the two awards recognize both the EDC’s overall organizational leadership and its ability to develop innovative, targeted solutions in response to the region’s most significant economic challenges.

"The Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County is leading the field of excellence in economic development with its dual 2026 awards. The awards shine a spotlight on the EDC’s commitment to the Asheville community and showcase the significant impact of economic development,” said Nathan Ohle, IEDC President and CEO. “IEDC is honored to present this award to the EDC and Chamber to celebrate their leadership and innovation in the field."

Each year, IEDC honors economic development organizations, government entities, initiatives, and programs that consistently demonstrate excellence across a membership that spans 21 countries.  The Economic Development Organization of the Year – Gold Award and Innovative Financing – Silver Award are among IEDC’s most significant recognitions for an economic development organization, recognizing the EDC’s overall leadership, innovation and measurable impact across its portfolio of programs and initiatives.

“Being recognized as EDO of the Year is an extraordinary honor and a testament to the dedication of our board, the talent of our staff and innovative programming like the Optimist Ventures Accelerator,” shared Carol Steen, EDC Board Chair and Vice President with Biltmore Farms LLC. “But this recognition is bigger than the EDC, it belongs to the businesses, entrepreneurs, and community partners whose strength and determination inspire the work of economic development and recovery.”

“Hurricane Helene revealed the extraordinary resolve and capacity of this region,” said Amanda Edwards, Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.   “Businesses reopened, workers returned, entrepreneurs rebuilt, and leaders across the region came together around the AVL 5x5 Plan with a determination to create what comes next. To have the work of our EDC recognized by a standard-bearer like IEDC is a powerful affirmation that Western North Carolina is not simply recovering, it is emerging stronger and more ambitious about its future.”

The AVL 5x5 2030 Plan launched in July 2025 provides a five-part framework for advancing the regional economy through business retention and expansion, industry recruitment, entrepreneurship, workforce partnerships and economic research. Developed in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the plan emerged as a consensus strategy among business, government, education and community leaders for moving the region from recovery toward long-term economic advancement. Since the storm, the strategy has helped focus and align regional efforts that have contributed to more than $388 million in new investment and 725 new high-wage jobs in Buncombe County.

“Economic development is never the work of one organization, it is the result of City and County partners, businesses, educators and residents choosing to invest in a shared future,” said Clark Duncan, EDC Executive Director.  “This recognition belongs to them." 

This year's awards take on special meaning as IEDC celebrates its 100th anniversary. In recognizing excellence in economic development, IEDC and its partners are celebrating successes and shining a spotlight on programs that inspire and prepare the field for the next century of economic development.

Source: Economic Development Coalition for Asheville - Buncombe County.