by Franzi Charen
Asheville , partnership with 450 local businesses, helped raise over $10,000 this year for our public schools and area nonprofits through the 2015 Go Local Card.
We’re determined to make 2016 the best year yet! It is more important than ever that we solidify our efforts in strengthening our local economy.
Jenny Greer Fares of Sound Mind Creative is the artist behind our beautiful new card design. The tortoise and the hare is a common folktale of a race between unequal partners. The slower tortoise wins through ingenuity and determination and overcomes the stronger, overconfident opponent, the hare.
Asheville is going through drastic changes and we’re growing fast. Just in our downtown developers are building six new hotels and national chain stores are vying for property. What do these changes mean for our our locally owned businesses downtown? What does it mean for the other neighborhoods we love?
By acting steadily through smart growth, together we can bring about thoughtful change at a local level. We want to see Asheville keep locally owned businesses at the heart of our economic development strategy.
What can you do? You can purchase a 2016 Go Local Card this year. For only $16 you will receive discounts at hundreds of locally owned businesses and $8 will go to support our public schools connecting our youth and education to the health of our local economy. The remainder of your purchase will go to support growing the card each year. We also have packages available that make great holiday gifts for clients and employees.
2016 Go Local Cards are on sale now. They are valid for 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2015 until Dec. 31, 2016. Cards are available at more than 20 businesses, and at participating public schools. Purchase yours today at ashevillegrown.com.
Loving Asheville and going local means supporting independent businesses, artists and farmers who cultivate the unique character, flavor, and culture of our home. Join this movement and together we can help build a more equitable economy for all!
Asheville Grown Business Alliance
72 Lexington Avenue, Asheville.
ashevillegrown.com