Western North Carolina’s outdoor economy is getting a huge boost from a new $3M investment designed to drive community and economic development by leveraging the region’s extraordinary outdoor recreation assets and rich manufacturing heritage.
Last week the MADE x MTNS regional partnership (formally Growing Outdoor Partnership) were awarded $1.35M by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), $900,000 from the Dogwood Health Trust, as well as funding and in kind support from Mountain BizWorks, the Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC, Western Carolina University, and Appalachian State University, to support outdoor-driven community and economic development in 25 Western North Carolina (WNC) counties and the E.B.C.I.’s Qualla Boundary.
This new round of funding will not only help increase our market access through the WNC: Made By Mountains initiative, continue to build our outdoor communities and help them better support and attract outdoor companies, but will continue to provide resources and support for the Outdoor Business Alliance to grow the network and cultivate, connect, and support our awesome community of outdoor industry leaders.
Expect more information, announcements, and opportunities for OBA members in the coming months!