Co-investment

Current Co-investment: $11,000 of $50,000

John C. Campbell Folk School requests $50,000 to support a special concert series celebrating our centennial in 2025-2026. This funding will attract five major headliners, upgrade the sound system in our outdoor venue, and support marketing and promotions. The project will have a direct economic impact on Clay and Cherokee counties while attracting visitors from southern Appalachia and nationwide. The five headliner performances will complement our existing events. We view our 100th as an opportunity to share the diversity of Appalachian music and want to platform BIPOC artists who don’t usually travel to our region of the state. Fees and other costs will average $7,000 per performance. We host large outdoor concerts in our Festival Barn and plan to use up to $10,000 with a local vendor to upgrade the sound system for clearer, balanced audio. We will use $5,000 on marketing collateral such as brochures, banners, and PR consulting. These efforts will promote the series and inform key community members and partners of our 100th anniversary. ant Description here

Current Co-investment: $21,000 of $100,000

Land of Sky Regional Council respectfully requests $100,000 on behalf of the WNC Upscaling Creative Manufacturing Project, an ARC-supported initiative collaboratively led by LOSRC, The Center for Craft, Mountain BizWorks’ Craft Your Commerce, ArtsAVL, and SWC. Formed in October 2023, this coalition has been working to deliver responsive, tailored programmatic and technical assistance to WNC's creative economy. If funded, this project will expand business support services for creatives in Helene-affected areas. The POWER Pass Program will offer no-cost access to co-working space, professional photo studio use at the Center for Craft, and pack-and-ship services—directly addressing the space and logistical needs identified by regional artists. Through Craft Your Commerce, creatives across WNC will benefit from expanded direct support in marketing, branding, website development, and storytelling assistance; delivered locally to ensure relevance and accessibility. Funding will support the launch of the inaugural WNC Creative Manufacturing Conference. This convening will bring together creative entrepreneurs, technical assistance providers, and partners to collaborate on strategies for business recovery, growth, and innovation within the creative manufacturing sector. By fostering entrepreneurship, coordination, and cultural expression, this project will increase the resilience, visibility, and long-term sustainability of the creative sector across Western North Carolina.

Current Co-investment: $0 of $24,000

PCAC requests $24,000 to leverage $3,000 in hand to support the implementation of the program and development of materials and provision of services by contractors to support the creation of a statistically significantly representative kudzu inventory in Polk County, NC documented on a map and coupled with outreach and education services to support next steps in implementing strategies to exponentially expand efforts to eradicate this invasive species.  

Current Co-investment: $21,000 of $63,000

On behalf of the Safe Passage Fund Coalition (SPFC), Wildlands Network requests $63,000 to continue improving wildlife habitat connectivity and human safety in Western North Carolina. This funding will help create safe passages for wildlife and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions.  The SPFC includes representatives from Wildlands Network, Defenders of Wildlife, National Parks Conservation Association, North Carolina Wildlife Federation, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Smokies Life, and The Wilderness Society. They  collaborate with regional and community stakeholders to find solutions for safe wildlife passage across Interstate 40, Interstate 26, and other roadways. The intended results will be increased public awareness, improved connectivity for wildlife, reduced wildlife–vehicle collisions, and enhanced driving safety. This project improves quality of life for residents and visitors, promotes economic health through efficient travel and freight, and supports responsible stewardship of natural resources.  Western North Carolina’s transportation network faces a unique challenge as leaders plan to rebuild after Hurricane Helene. The SPFC sees an opportunity to “build back better” with resiliency in mind, benefiting wildlife through thoughtful planning and design. They advocate for making resiliency a priority in this process.