SUPPORTED SWANNANOA BUSINESSES

• Utilized services and products from local business at meetings and events
• Began feasibility study of a Swannanoa Tailgate Market
• Surveyed businesses and residents online and on paper – a needs analysis
• Developed and published list of Local Meeting Spaces
• Developed database of local businesses and other helpful resources (several hundred)
• Developed website (with local business)
• Held monthly meetings and/or networking events at local businesses (2nd Thurs. each month)
• Alerted community to the changing Asheville bus service routes to Swannanoa, Family Business Assoc. meetings, business seminars, etc.

MARKETED SWANNANOA BUSINESSES

Published & delivered thousands of monthly online & paper newsletters (Swannanoa Bee) Helped spearhead marketing coalition with businesses in Black Mountain through the Black Mountain/Swannanoa Valley Chamber of Commerce Presented several opportunities for co-op and/or discounted advertising Participated in the Value Our Valley business event at Owen Middle School Worked as major planner for the Mill Around the Village Festival  and had a vendor booth Assisted with CSA’s (prepaid purchases from local farmers) connections from our webpage Worked with publications & websites to publish articles on Swannanoa businesses

PARTNERED WITH OTHERS

• Investigated various methods to begin revitalization of the downtown and played a leading role in planning the Swannanoa Community Vision Process (began in Nov 2009)
• Attended monthly meetings of the Asheville/ Buncombe Development and Tourism Bureau
• Joined and attended meetings with the Black Mountain/Swannanoa Valley Chamber of Commerce and its Economic Development Committee
• Worked with other organizations to begin a Beautification Plan along part of Highway 70

DEVELOPED IDEAS

• Attended quarterly meetings with WNC Passenger Rail Corridor Committee; attended the N.C. meeting in Raleigh to explore potential of passenger trains in Swannanoa; held railroad informational meeting in Swannanoa.
• Attended annual meeting of Main Street’s Small Towns Program
• Developed professional relationship with 3 preservation organizations for feasibility of historic renewal of Beacon Mill Village downtown area (and residential and farm properties)
• Worked with ERC Broadband to increase our broadband service opportunities