Business and government leaders gathered at Enka Commerce Park to celebrate the grand opening of the park’s first newly constructed industrial building and the completion of critical infrastructure improvements, including a long-awaited bridge and access roads. The ribbon cutting event, hosted by the Economic Development Coalition of Asheville-Buncombe County, featured remarks from key officials marking a decade of strategic investments designed to bolster the economic future of the Enka Candler community.

“This project brings much-needed expansion of the tax base in an era of financial challenges for our city and county,” said Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley. Mosley also touched on the history of the area, which was once home to the rayon manufacturing operations of the American Enka Company, which employed over 7,000 residents until its closure in 1985. “The company facilities once spanned some 2,200 acres, including buildings on this very spot that were demolished well over a decade ago,” said Mosley. “The American Enka Company invested in Asheville, literally on the eve of the Great Depression in 1928, and grew to employ and support generations of our residents for nearly 60 years. As a native of Asheville, I understand the historic importance of this land to the families of our region.” 

The development of Enka Commerce Park has been a priority for local leaders since its inception in 2000, following the acquisition of 200 acres from BASF. Over the years, investments totaling more than $10 million have been made to enhance the park’s infrastructure, including the new bridge overpass, Enka Heritage Parkway, and Bob Lewis Sports Park. These improvements aim to alleviate traffic congestion on Sand Hill Road, improve accessibility for workers and emergency services, and attract new businesses to the area.

“For folks who think the government works in silos, and we don’t talk to each other, this is proof that that’s not the case,” said Timothy Anderson, NCDOT Division Engineer. “This bridge and the roadway is really a story of perseverance and partnership.”

The newly completed industrial building at 261 Enka Heritage Parkway is the first of three planned structures within the park. The 136,080-square-foot facility, built by Samet Corporation, offers Class 1A industrial space and is now available for lease.

“These things take vision, they take time, they take investment, and they require strong private-public partnerships,” said Buncombe County Commission Chair Amanda Edwards. “These investments will also help secure the 15 employers and 500 jobs that already reside here in the park and will serve to attract the next generation of employers to invest and create jobs right here in Western Buncombe County.”

The bridge and roadway improvements were made possible through collaboration among multiple funding partners, including Buncombe County, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and private investors such as Fletcher Partners. The infrastructure is expected to play a vital role in facilitating regional economic growth by improving connectivity for both commercial and residential traffic.

“Together, we share a belief in the power of business and economic development to lift our community and fund the important work of local government—to grow household income and to expand economic opportunity for the next generation,” said Sabrina Rockoff, Chair of the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County.