Last month, Explore Asheville brought together federal and municipal partners, tour guides, outfitters, environmentalists, and advocates to learn about current French Broad River recovery efforts and activation plans for spring and summer. As a result of the meeting, our team crafted this disclaimer, which is now displayed on Explore Asheville’s water sports and fishing pages:

Recovery from Hurricane Helene is ongoing in the French Broad River, and conditions vary based on location. Some outfitters and access points are open, while others may remain closed or have modified operations. Plan ahead by checking directly with water activity operators for the latest availability. For current river conditions, visit French Broad Water Quality, and for details on open and closed river access points, refer to the French Broad Paddle Trail website. You can also check the Asheville Parks and Recreation and Buncombe County Parks & Recreation websites for park status updates.

If your business offers services along the French Broad River, we recommend adding this disclaimer to your website and your marketing efforts. Next month, we will reconvene this group to update messaging after waterway debris removal is complete.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, Buncombe County launched the Envision Buncombe survey to gather community input that will directly shape both the County's 2030 Strategic Plan and long-term recovery efforts. This brief survey, which takes less than five minutes to complete, allows every resident to express their needs and priorities as we rebuild. We encourage all partners to participate to help ensure every voice is at the table. 

The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority is currently accepting applications for the 2025 Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) grant cycle. As our community rebuilds after Hurricane Helene, these investments are crucial for tourism infrastructure recovery and strengthening our economy. An estimated $15 million is available this year, derived from one-third of the lodging tax paid by visitors staying overnight in Buncombe County.

We invite Buncombe County-based non-profit and government organizations to submit applications for this year's TPDF cycle—Phase I applications are due May 7, with Phase I applicants being notified and invited to Phase II on May 28. Since 2001, the fund has provided more than $86 million to 41 community projects including greenways, parks, cultural institutions, and recreational facilities.

Spring is in full bloom—and so is The Official 2025 Asheville Visitor Guide! Ensure you're stocked and ready to welcome May visitors. This year’s guide was reimagined to more deeply reflect Asheville’s creative spirit, featuring work by local artists, personalized recommendations from residents, and contextual elements that honor our region’s ongoing story of resilience. Place your order before April 30 to receive your guides the first week of May.

Asheville Beer Week (May 15–29) is around the corner, and it's an excellent opportunity to showcase your brand and connect with craft beer lovers! Whether you're a brewery, hotel, restaurant, bar, retailer, or local business, there are plenty of ways to participate:

• Host an Event — beer dinners, tap takeovers, collabs, and more! Be sure to add your events to the Explore Asheville Event Calendar using the “Beer Week” category.
• Offer a Special — exclusive beer releases, pairings, or discounts
• Sponsor & Partner — gain visibility by supporting Asheville's biggest beer celebration
• Volunteer & Support — help make AVL Beer Week a success while connecting with the beer community

To get involved, email Asheville Brewers Alliance (KarisRoberts.ABA@gmail.com).