Issue link: http://businessnc.epubxp.com/i/611454
79 North Carolina Economic Development Guide Facts of life THE WEST Explore world- class cuisine and recreation I f you can look past the views that the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains provide, you'll fi nd a region full of adventure. Forests and parks, including the state's fi rst that protects the highest peak in the East, Mount Mitchell, of er camping, mountain biking and hiking. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds along 470 miles, of ering overlooks and encounters with local wildlife. The region's largest city, Asheville, is a foodie's paradise and was named Beer City USA four times. Tour Biltmore Estate, the country's largest home, which was designed by George Vanderbilt. In the High Peaks, you'll fi nd shopping in Boone and Blowing Rock and a large arts district in West Jef erson. The region has four distinct seasons, including a winter with enough snow and cold to support six ski resorts. Main industries Counties Alexander Alleghany Ashe Avery Buncombe Burke Caldwell Cherokee Clay Graham Haywood Henderson Jackson Macon McDowell Mitchell Polk Rutherford Swain Transylvania Watauga Yancey Recent economic announcements: (Company, jobs, investment, industry sector, county) • Linamar Corp. 150, $115 million, automotive, Buncombe • Evergreen Packaging Inc. none, $51.3 million, paper mill, Haywood • Raumedic Inc. 138, $26.3 million, medical devices, Henderson • Oak Valley Hardwoods Inc. 114, $10.1 million, lumber, Graham • White Labs Inc. 56, $8.1 million, brewing, Buncombe • Aerospace and defense • Furniture • Brewing • Data centers • Tourism • Advanced manufacturing • Christmas trees Transportation assets • Interstates 26 and 40 • Ashe County Airport • Asheville Regional Airport • Avery County Airport • Foothills Regional Airport • Macon County Airport • Western Carolina Regional Airport • Rutherford County Airport Attractions and events • Lake Eden Arts Festival, Asheville-Black Mountain • Folkmoot USA, Black Mountain • An Appalachian Summer Festival, Boone • Sliding Rock, Transylvania County • West Jef erson Arts District, West Jef erson • Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, Linville • Biltmore Estate, Asheville • Tail of the Dragon, Deals Gap near Robbinsville • Tryon International Equestrian Center, Mill Spring