Transylvania County is proof that industry and employment can thrive in the most beautiful parts of the world. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by six different units of public land – we are unlike any place you’ve been.
We offer access to as many workers as we do miles of single-track trail. We boast an 11-county labor shed with half a million workers, robust industrial utilities, and the among most competitive tax environments in the US.
North Carolina has long been acknowledged as the best state for business, and Transylvania County is a world-class destination: you won’t just make money in our community, your brand will be showcased here, and your employees will have the quality of life they deserve.
What Are We?
- A dynamic economy: ranked #12 of 539 US Micropolitan Statistical Areas “Most Dynamic Micropolitans.”
- A growing community: 3.7% population growth between 2016-2021.
- A destination: $178,000,000 in tourism revenue in 2022.
- A hot spot for investment: $80M in Int’l Manufacturing Investment, $70M in Hospitality Investment since 2021
- A premier place to live: Transylvania County is the epicenter of NC’s outdoor industry, with 50% of Transylvania County’s land mass classified as public land. Brevard Music Center, Mountain Song Music Festival, BANFF Film Festival – fine arts and the outdoors intersect here and define our brand.
Incentives
Transylvania County Economic Development Incentives
Transylvania County, NC uses a discretionary, performance-based grant program to support economic development. The program uses a “scorecard” system based on new taxable investment and job creation, to determine annual incentive awards. The total award corresponds to a percentage of property taxes collected from the new investment that company is eligible to receive back.
ONE North Carolina Fund
The One North Carolina Fund (OneNC) is a discretionary cash-grant program that allows the Governor to respond quickly to competitive job-creation projects. Awards are based on the number of jobs created, level of investment, location of the project, economic impact of the project and the importance of the project to the state and region.
Rural Infrastructure Fund
The Economic Infrastructure Program provides grants to local governments to assist with infrastructure projects that will lead to the creation of new, full-time jobs.
NC Customized Training Grants
Customized Training is widely regarded as a best practice as a job creation and job retention incentive. Customized Training is a grant program issued by the NC Community College system and administered locally by Blue Ridge Community College. Funds may be used to support not only the project’s location to North Carolina, but it’s ongoing operation as new technology, investment and processes are deployed.
Mountain Area Workforce Board: On-The-Job Training (OJT) for New Hires
Through OJT with the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board (MAWDB), the MAWDB can create customized candidate skill assessments, analyze your job’s skill requirements, develop a skills gap analysis and collaboratively develop individualized training plans. Eligible companies receive a 50% reimbursement of the new hire’s wages for up to 6 months. Companies are required to submit time and payment vouchers monthly and are reimbursed promptly.
