Western NC
Western North Carolina is nature’s playground and an adventure for outdoor lovers is at every bend. The diverse region offers the opportunity to climb Mount Mitchell (the highest mountain in eastern U.S); see the deepest gorge in the east (Linville Gorge), kayak down the oldest river in North America (New River), photograph the highest waterfall (Whitewater Falls), or visit the two most visited national park lands in the country (the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park).
Asheville, Brevard, Hendersonville, Boone, Banner Elk, Waynesville, Black Mountain, and Lake Lure, are some of the towns and communities that make up the 23-county region that offer something for everyone.
A short drive from most major U.S. markets and with commercial air service at Asheville Regional Airport, the region is home to some of the most renowned resorts, golf courses, spas, festivals and attractions in the world, both indoor and outdoor.
Students are attracted to the outdoor style of the mountains and trek to universities such as Appalachian State University in Boone, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and Western Carolina University in Cullowhee where students pursue four-year degrees and post-graduate education.
Smaller private colleges and community colleges such Brevard College, Lenoir-Rhyne, Blue Ridge Community College, Haywood Community College, Montreat College and others, offer two year degree programs, technical certificates and other programs.
Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina with a population of 80,000. The city is synonymous with culture, entertainment and outdoor adventure. It is the home of Biltmore Estates and the most visited winery in the U.S., Grove Park Inn, and much more.
Nearby Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Valle Crucis are a few of the towns in the “High Country” known for unique festivals, outdoor theatre, shopping, tourist attractions, and plenty of rest and relaxation. Boone is a diverse town known for being home to Appalachian State University (ASU). The town attracts all ages, well past the college years, and retirees have made it one of “The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012” as cited by U.S. News & World Report.
The foliage in the “High Country” captures nature lovers, photographers and even the White House. Eleven times the White House has picked the native Fraser Fir for its prized Christmas tree. The trees grow only in northwestern North Carolina and adjacent areas.
To see the beauty of the area and region, many like to ride the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, a favorite route with 469 miles from Northern Virginia to Southwest North Carolina. The southern loop, from Boone through Banner Elk and Blowing Rock, is 50 miles long and takes about two hours to drive.
The town of Brevard in Transylvania County is home to Brevard College, two state and two national parks with endless opportunities for outdoor activities. You can mountain bike in the morning, rock climb mid-day, kayak down the French Broad River in the afternoon, and take a zip-line ride at sunset.
Many towns and communities hold festivals throughout the year to celebrate Western North Carolina’s mountain heritage and native products. One not to miss is the Wooly Worm Festival in Banner Elk, where contestants >>
race their own fuzzy caterpillars.
Western North Carolina has weathered the recession better than many regions due to its diverse business community. Tourism and being a favorite retirement region in the U.S. has fueled the economy along with the healthcare industry, advanced manufacturing, financial services, technology, biotechnology and “green” technologies, to name a few. Company relocations like Sierra Nevada Brewing Company moving to Henderson County are on the rise.
The economic development partnership for the region, AdvantageWest, spearheaded with a number of other organizations in an effort to build the clean energy economy in western North Carolina. The result is the EvolveEnergy Partnership.
The region encourages entrepreneurship. “Several communities have completed AdvantageWest’s rigorous Certified Entrepreneurial Community Program,” said Scott Hamilton, AdvantageWest’s President and CEO. “Plus we have Blue Ridge Food Ventures, a food business and natural products incubator where more than 200 companies have gotten their start, many now selling their specialty products across the country.”
Healthcare in Western North Carolina is excellent with top rated physicians, hospitals and specialists. The region’s hospitals have national standing and high patient satisfaction. Mission Hospitals in Asheville is a top 100 heart hospital and a top 50 orthopedic hospital.
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital - Spruce Pine campus is a recognized leader in the treatment of pneumonia, and Transylvania Community Hospital is recognized as a “Community Value 5-Star Hospital.” The Watauga Medical Center is among the top 10 percent nationally for patient satisfaction for the fourth year in a row.
Healthcare, work and recreation are the best-of-the-best in the mountains. And only in Western North Carolina can you find the promise of clean air, clean water, cool summers, dramatic autumns, mild winters, lush springtime, as well as Southern hospitality.