Introducing the Growing Outdoors Partnership

Expanding Western North Carolina's Outdoor Recreation Industry

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Growing Outdoors' regional partners span industry, education, finance and economic development.

Focus Areas

Growing Outdoors will advance WNC's outdoor industry through 5 main focus areas

  • Workforce + Outdoor Careers

    Creating a world-class talent pipeline for the region’s growing outdoor industry, through new degree programs, certificates, continuing education, a new Outdoor Industry Job Board, and more.

  • Entrepreneurship + Access to Capital

    Supporting innovation and the next generation of outdoor entrepreneurs through training, funding, and connections to business resources as well as peer-to-peer trainings.

  • Growing Markets

    Expanding national & global markets for WNC-made gear, promoting Appalachian outdoor heroes, and branding the region as the East Coast Hub for Outdoor Industry

  • Connecting the Industry

    Helping WNC's outdoor industry connect, share information, and collaborate through a flagship annual conference and expanding the Outdoor Gear Builders of WNC.

  • Economic Development

    Engaging with economic development partners to establish Appalachia’s competitive advantage for outdoor industry investment.

Project Region

Growing Outdoors is working to expand outdoor industry across NC's Appalachian region, including the counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.