December 30, 2020

Relief is on the way for small businesses & the tourism community

The federal COVID-19 recovery package passed by Congress last week and signed into law by President Trump on December 27 contains significant benefits for small businesses and the tourism community as well as for individuals.

Provisions include a second round of forgivable PPP loans; a grant program for concert venues, performing arts centers, theaters and museums; an extension of the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program; and aid for transportation, including bus companies, private motorcoaches, airports and airlines.

In addition, stimulus checks are on the way for individuals and as are extended unemployment benefits for jobless workers and self-employed individuals and contractors.

The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act also passed, keeping craft brewers, vintners, cider and mead makers, and distilleries from suffering a devastating tax hike in January.

Read highlights of the COVID-19 Recovery Package and CBMTRA here >>

NC's modified "Stay at Home" order allows takeout & delivery services

Governor Roy Cooper's modified "Stay at Home" order, which requires most businesses to be closed nightly 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., is due to be renewed, revised, or rescinded by January 8. While Executive Order 181 requires that events or convenings outside of the home end by 10 p.m., it allows restaurants and bars to continue to provide take-out and delivery services.

Modified "Stay at Home" order FAQs >>

Clarification on Buncombe County's indoor mass gathering limit

The number for an indoor mass gathering for social events with individuals from outside one's household is being lowered from 10 persons to 2 persons, effective January 2, in Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, and the Town of Montreat. This new emergency order pertains only to indoor social events or convenings. The new order also reduces the capacity for indoor dining in restaurants from 50 percent of stated fire capacity to 30 percent.

See the press release here >>

Hotels, bars, distilleries & restaurants can now offer mixed drinks to-go

Mixed beverages can now be sold to-go or for delivery, through January 31 as per Governor Cooper's recent Executive Order 183.

FAQs on the order allowing mixed drinks to-go >>

ExploreAsheville.com showcases businesses with winterized outdoor dining

Businesses with winterized outdoor dining are featured on this page on ExploreAsheville.com. Restaurants and beverage partners with heated or otherwise winterized outdoor dining spaces, who are planning to remain open as possible through the full winter (December through February), are encouraged to add the "outdoor winter dining" amenity to your listing so you'll be included on this page.

7 quick steps for adding "Outdoor Winter Dining" to your listing. >> 

Find info & resources at AshevilleCVB.com

Get interim guidance, social media assets, required signage, business resources and more at AshevilleCVB.com.

Go to the CVB's Coronavirus Resource Page >>

 'Curated Asheville' showcases partners that offer safe, socially-distanced & personalized experiences

Explore Asheville is prioritizing safety for our community and visitors this winter by promoting carefully curated experiences suited for solo adventurers and couples.

Do you offer an experience that is unique, immersive or interactive? We are seeking to showcase partners that offer safe, socially-distanced,  personalized experiences.

The promotion, "Curated Asheville: Carefully Crafted Experiences," is set to kick off in early January and will run through February.

The first Explore Asheville partner webinar of the new year is coming up January 13 from 9 - 10 a.m. Register now for "Reinvent Your Path to Success: How to Promote New Experiences to Your Audiences," presented by digital marketing strategist and educator Sarah Benoit of JB Media Institute, LLC.

Learn best practices for listening to your audiences to identify what they want and need -- plus, get tips for communicating clearly what has changed with your products and services.

Need to replenish your supply of Visitor Guides? The next monthly deadline for delivery to your business is coming up. Complete this form by close of business on Thursday, January 14. Deliveries will be made by the case (44 guides per case) on January 18 and 19, facilitated by Mountain Xpress.

Important note: Due to COVID-19, we've temporarily suspend recurring deliveries, so even if you are signed up to receive monthly deliveries we still need a completed form for a January delivery.

REFRESH YOUR IMAGES SEASONALLY: High-quality, high-resolution images can lead to more click-throughs on your ExploreAsheville.com listing. Photos should be at least 640 pixels wide and 480 pixels tall. We recommend checking in to update them seasonally. SEE HOW-TO INSTRUCTIONS HERE.