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MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ashley Greenstein
agreenstein@exploreasheville.com
Beacon Park, a nonprofit project set to transform the former Beacon Blanket Mill into a vibrant, multi-purpose outdoor destination gets $4,500,000 boost from TPDF investment, and will boast the largest Velosolutions pump track in North and South America
BUNCOMBE COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AWARDS $12.4 MILLION IN TOTAL TOURISM PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT FUND INVESTMENTS FOR 2025 CYCLE
Eight Projects Across Buncombe County Greenlit to Enhance Sports Facilities, Family Attractions, and Cultural Venues
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Oct. 1, 2025) – The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority approved a total of $12.4 million in 2025 Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) investments for eight capital projects designed to attract overnight visitors, catalyze economic growth, and enhance quality of life across Buncombe County, including some areas hardest hit by Hurricane Helene. Following today’s decision, the authority has surpassed more than $100 million in total community capital investments since 2001 through this fund and the Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) Fund.
Today’s investment decisions, in addition to the two sports facility projects expedited in May, mark the first full TPDF grant cycle since Hurricane Helene, representing a significant milestone in Buncombe County's economic recovery. The timing of this year's investments holds special meaning as the travel and hospitality community signals that most of the Asheville area is ready and open for a strong fall season. By investing in a diverse array of major tourism projects across Buncombe County, the authority demonstrates its dedication to leveraging visitor-generated revenue to urgently rebuild tourism infrastructure.
“As Asheville and Buncombe County continue to bounce back and move forward from Hurricane Helene, this year’s Tourism Product Development Fund investments are powerful commitments to supporting our community’s resilience,” said Vic Isley, President & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. “These investments, powered by lodging tax paid by visitors, align with the authority’s strategic imperatives and are dispersed throughout the County from Swannanoa and Black Mountain to downtown Asheville and Enka. Each project creates a compelling new reason for visitors and event organizers to choose Buncombe County while delivering tangible benefits that enhance pride, quality of life, and experience for residents throughout Buncombe County.”
The 2025 investments represent the priorities identified through stakeholder discussions and visitor impact data analyzed in the March annual planning session. The authority’s volunteer leadership have prioritized large entertainment and cultural facilities, sports facilities, and family-friendly attractions for their potential to create jobs and wages, sustain employment in travel and hospitality sectors, attract national events, and provide long-term amenities that serve both residents and visitors. TPDF is supported entirely by occupancy tax paid by visitors staying overnight in Buncombe County's commercial lodging facilities.
2025 TPDF GRANT CYCLE INVESTMENTS
In order of investment level
Beacon Foundation – Beacon Park | $4,500,000
Beacon Park will transform the former Beacon Blanket Mill, a 4.7-acre site in downtown Swannanoa, into a world-class public green space featuring the largest all-wheel bike facility of its kind in North and South America designed by Velosolutions, a global leader in urban bike infrastructure. Other amenities include professional-grade outdoor bouldering walls, a one-mile paved walking loop, pavilions, and a large lawn that accommodates concerts and festivals for up to 4,000 people. The facility is expected to attract national and international attention through partnerships with Red Bull, UCI and USA BMX.
"On behalf of the Beacon Foundation and the community of Swannanoa, we are incredibly thankful for this historic investment from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority,” said Swannanoa native and Beacon Foundation Co-founder & President Casey Watkins. “This grant and the space it will help create are more than a step forward in recovering from years of challenges; it’s a rebirth. This is a turning point for Swannanoa, and we couldn’t be more honored than to be able to help carry this vision forward."
Phase I of the project is underway and is projected to be completed by Oct. 2025. Phase II is projected to begin in early 2026, with full project completion expected by June 2026.
Enka Youth Sports Organization – JBL Soccer Complex Restoration | $2,155,000
The John B. Lewis (JBL) Soccer Complex Restoration project will replace artificial turf damaged by Hurricane Helene, repair the underground stormwater system, and restore lighting infrastructure across 16 field poles. Prior to the storm, JBL accounted for more than 57% of the county's artificial turf fields with lighting and has served as a flagship tournament venue for more than 20 years. In FY24 alone, the facility provided practice and game space for nearly 7,000 youth and 2,000 adult soccer players, as well as programs for lacrosse and ultimate frisbee.
The project is expected to be completed Nov. 2025.
With this award, the total TPDF investment in this community asset is $4,555,000.
Buncombe County – Enka Recreation Destination Phase II | $1,975,920
Building on previous TPDF investments, this phase will enhance multiple fields at the Buncombe County Sports Park with lighting and synthetic turf, as well as add an ADA-compliant walking path, an accessible playground, a pavilion, and resiliency improvements. The sports park receives approximately 1.4 million visitors annually, with many traveling more than 50 miles to attend tournaments and sporting events.
The project is expected to be completed by June 2027.
With this award, the total TPDF investment in this community asset is $12,780,335, making it the second largest investment in a single facility in the history of the fund.
Warren Wilson College Aquatics Center | $1,606,000
This project will complete and upgrade Warren Wilson College's Aquatic Center by demolishing the existing pool enclosure and replacing it with a new 10,000-square-foot facility featuring a six-lane pool, competition-level diving boards, and seating for 200 spectators. As an NCAA Division III facility, the center will host regional and national competitions, addressing the shortage of year-round indoor swimming facilities in Buncombe County.
"The Warren Wilson College Aquatic Center will be a catalyst for the sports economy in the county as it will host regional and national swim and dive meets,” said Warren Wilson President Damián J. Fernández. “Moreover, the College pool will fill a critical need in our community by offering aquatic and wellness education, including much needed learn-to-swim programs. Everyone wins from this partnership."
This project is expected to break ground in June 2026 and reach completion by Jan. 2027.
White Horse Stepstone (Nonprofit) - White Horse Black Mountain Community Patio Project | $736,537
This project will expand the nonprofit music venue with a 3,972-square-foot, four-season covered patio and upper deck, accommodating 174 additional guests per event. The venue will be able to host an additional 260 events annually and is expected to attract approximately 17,000 out-of-market guests in its third year.
The project is scheduled to break ground in Jan. 2026, with an expected completion date of May 2026.
UNC Asheville On-Campus Tennis Complex | $500,000
This new outdoor tennis facility will feature six lighted competition courts, complete with viewing stands, and a dedicated tennis building that includes coaches' offices, locker rooms, and public restrooms. The new facility will be located on an existing parking lot at the corner of Broadway and Campus Drive, replacing the Asheville Racquet Club's hard courts, which will be displaced by the I-26 connector project. Once completed, the facility will strengthen UNCA’s ability to host major events, such as the Big South Conference and USTA Adaptive Tennis championships, while also expanding year-round programming for the community.
The project is scheduled to break ground in Feb. 2026, with an expected completion date of March 2027.
Enka Youth Sports Organization – Bob Lewis Ballpark Visitor Amenity Enhancements | $220,000
Improvements to Bob Lewis Ballpark, the region's only dedicated youth baseball and softball venue, will include entry columns, synthetic turf behind dugouts, shade sail canopies, safety fencing, and an internal pedestrian trail connecting the upper and lower fields. The facility hosts approximately 30 weekend tournaments annually, drawing teams from across the Southeast and generating significant economic impact.
The project is expected to be completed by Feb. 2026.
$500,000 was expedited in May for parking lot improvements for the fall season. With this latest award, the total TPDF investment for this community asset is $2,720,000.
Asheville Museum of Science – AMOS Downtown Expansion | $189,500
The Asheville Museum of Science will expand into the adjacent space at 1 Haywood St., doubling its downtown footprint. The expansion project includes a 4,000 square foot open exhibit space for permanent and rotating displays, as well as a 2,000 square foot Maker Lab, which offers programs and hosts visiting groups, significantly enhancing Asheville's family-friendly indoor attractions.
“This investment helps us grow into a space where science, climate, health, innovation, and discovery come to life,” said Asheville Museum of Science Executive Director Amanda Bryant. “It creates meaningful experiences for families, inspires curiosity, and meets the growing demand for Asheville as a destination for learning, connection, and exploration.”
The project is expected to break ground by Nov. 2025, with construction and the first exhibit buildouts complete by May 2026.
With this latest award, the authority’s total commitment to AMOS now stands at $964,500.
NEXT INVESTMENT CYCLE
A list of all TPDF projects can be found at https://www.exploreasheville.com/tpdf. The authority will be opening its next investment cycle for the LIFT Fund in April 2026.
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