Q. What is THRIVE ASHEVILLE?

A.  THRIVE ASHEVILLE is a civic infrastructure initiative - modeled after multi-sector work in other successful cities. We are building new ways for community members, organizations, and leaders to be connected and to work together to improve our city for all of our residents. THRIVE ASHEVILLE will use research, education, and advocacy to connect community leaders to ideas and solutions for a sustainable, affordable and inclusive Asheville.

Q. Why THRIVE ASHEVILLE?

A. Rapid growth is threatening the quality of life in our city, especially for those of lower income who have been left out of the economic boom.  At the same time, local government, nonprofits, businesses, higher education and philanthropic entities too often work in silos, addressing complex community challenges with narrow, single-issue approaches.  As a result, our City’s rapid growth is now threatening the quality of life for all residents, and parts of our community are being left behind the economic boom. While we are encouraged by existing effective collaborative efforts to address complex problems in Asheville, more strategic, long-term approaches are needed. What’s missing is cross-sector collaboration that facilitates communication from the grassroots through community leaders to the decision-makers at the very top of our anchor institutions. We want to support and build on successful efforts through a collaborative leadership framework that results in a more livable Asheville that works better for everyone.

Q. How will THRIVE ASHEVILLE work?

A. This initiative will be led by an influential, respected group of community leaders who work in different sectors, from business to health, to the arts and local government. These leaders form the Steering Group. The Steering Group will develop a change agenda based on the issues we care about the most -- sustainability, affordability, and inclusivity. The Steering Group will learn about what’s working locally, and across the country, to address these interrelated and complex challenges. The Steering Group will take positions on issues and engage the community to advocate for solutions for a better Asheville.

Q. Who are the leaders on the THRIVE Steering Group? How were they chosen?

A. A diverse group of community leaders began planning THRIVE ASHEVILLE in the Fall of 2018. Through our networks, and dozens of interviews with people across our community, we developed a picture of the individuals we needed to lead this work. We sought a small group of respected individuals who would represent a variety of sectors, reflect diverse perspectives, and have proven qualities of leadership and problem-solving. Thrive planners identified a long list of candidates, and over hundreds of cups of coffee, we found a group of leaders that reflects the diversity of our community and is committed to learning and leading on the issues of sustainability, affordability, and inclusivity in our community. These leaders wear many hats, and came forward as dedicated advocates for our City.

Asheville is full of talented, dedicated individuals, and we are sure that there are many others who could add to our work. As we build this initiative, we will widen the circle of engagement. You can sign up to stay informed on our progress here by clicking on the Learn with Thrive button on the home page.

Q. What do we mean when we say sustainable?

A. We love our City and her people. Sustainability is our City’s ability to respond to the challenges presented by rapid growth and change through environmentally responsible development and smart growth. Sustainability is also addressing the chronic problems of inequity, economic exclusion, and poverty so that all of our residents have the opportunity to thrive. Sustainability requires effective local government that allocates resources wisely, making strategic  investments in people and place that ensure a vibrant community over the long-term. Sustainability also requires the concerted and collaborative efforts of the business and nonprofit sectors to expand opportunities to realize the potential of our people and the promise of our place.

We believe that a sustainable Asheville is measured by successful responses to long-term community stresses and short-term crises so that our City is a desirable place for our children to be long into the future.

Q. What do we mean when we say affordable?

A. Affordability is more than housing. THRIVE ASHEVILLE believes that affordability means Asheville’s residents are able to purchase basic necessities including housing, food, and transportation. Affordability is critically important because the increasing cost of living exacerbates inequities, and further segregates our community. Affordability is essential to attract entrepreneurs and innovators who are essential to economic vibrancy. An affordable Asheville will attract families, businesses, and other key groups to the city and allow our young people to view Asheville as a viable option for their futures.

The Cost of Living Index, per capita income, and other measures of economic life will inform meaningful benchmarks to the goal of creating a place where our people can afford to work, live, and play.

Q. What do we mean when we say inclusion?

A. Inclusion means that all of our people feel a sense of belonging -- people believe that this City is for them, and about them -- regardless of their race, ability, gender, or any of the ways in which people differ. People belong when they can actively participate and contribute to the life of our City. To build an inclusive Asheville requires that we create equitable access, removing the different barriers that have prevented access to opportunities for marginalized groups. Creating an inclusive Asheville is critical to becoming a more resilient community - we need to build on the creativity, intelligence, and compassion of every community member to meet the challenges ahead.

We can see and measure inclusion. When we become inclusive, our workplaces, cultural events, and leadership tables will accurately reflect and engage the diversity of our community. Our differences, including race, gender, and ability, will not be predictors of participation when everyone is included.