President's Report from April 27, 2026

Last week, the Greater Wilmington Chamber coordinated travel for nearly 60 board members, business leaders, and elected officials to Asheville, North Carolina for our 2026 Intercity Visit. These experiences are always valuable, not just for what we learn, but for the relationships we strengthen and the perspective we bring back to Wilmington.

Before departing, our group heard from Wilmington International Airport Director Jeff Bourk, who provided an update on the continued growth and construction underway at ILM. As many in our community have experienced, the airport is in the midst of a significant expansion to meet rising passenger demand and improve the overall travel experience.

Key milestones are already in motion. Construction of ILM’s first parking garage is expected to be complete in October 2026, adding much-needed capacity for travelers. In addition, a $25 million runway rehabilitation project is planned over the next several years, from 2026 through 2031, ensuring the airport can safely and efficiently support continued growth. A stronger, more modern airport will continue to serve as a critical gateway for business, tourism, and connectivity, helping drive economic opportunity across southeastern North Carolina.

Once in Asheville, our group was welcomed by regional leaders, including Asheville Area Chamber President and CEO, the Mayor of Asheville, the Buncombe County Commission Chair, and the Buncombe County Manager. In addition to a warm welcome, they shared an update on the region’s recovery following Hurricane Helene.

The message was clear: Asheville is open for business. Over the past 18 months, local leaders have worked intentionally to support small businesses, restore critical infrastructure, and rebuild economic momentum. They encouraged us to share that message broadly and to continue supporting the region through visitation and partnership. Throughout the visit, we also heard from leaders across economic development, workforce, tourism, philanthropy, housing, and the arts. Their willingness to share both successes and ongoing challenges created space for thoughtful, candid conversations about how communities like ours continue to grow and adapt.

Asheville’s economic development efforts are highly centralized, creating a streamlined experience for businesses seeking support. In Wilmington, we benefit from a broad and active network of partners delivering small business support, business retention and expansion services, and industry engagement. That depth is a strength. At the same time, this visit reinforced the opportunity to continue improving collaboration and making it even easier for businesses to navigate and access those resources.

Buncombe County is leveraging publicly owned land in innovative ways to support housing development. Their approach reinforces the importance of creativity and collaboration. Here in Wilmington, we are already seeing the impact of strong public-private partnerships, including projects like Starway Village, that are helping to expand housing options.

Asheville’s Tourism Development Authority is deploying occupancy tax revenue much like we are, allowing for strategic investments in infrastructure and visitor experiences. Their model looks different from ours, and it sparked important conversations about how we continue to maximize tourism’s impact here at home while balancing the needs of residents and businesses.

Workforce development remains a shared priority across both communities. Like Asheville, we are seeing demand for healthcare professionals, engineers, and skilled trades. In Wilmington, we have made significant progress in building a more intentional talent pipeline, beginning as early as middle school and extending through high school, community college, and university partnerships. Through initiatives like our Career & Leadership Development Academy and targeted industry partnerships, we are working to connect students to career pathways earlier and more effectively. There is more to do, but this is an area where our region is leading.

Our conversation with Dogwood Health Trust provided valuable perspective on the role of large-scale philanthropy following the sale of a hospital system just like ours. While there are similarities to our Endowment, there are also key differences in how funds are structured and deployed. These insights are important as we continue to shape long-term investments in workforce, healthcare, and economic mobility here in our region.

Asheville’s commitment to the arts is not just cultural, it is economic. Their investment in creative industries contributes meaningfully to placemaking, tourism, and overall quality of life, something that continues to be a priority in Wilmington as well.

In coming months, there are a number of upcoming opportunities to support their region, from visiting an upcoming PGA Tour event to a full calendar of live music, festivals, brewery tours, and outdoor experiences. If you are planning a trip in the coming months, we encourage you to consider Asheville. Supporting their recovery through visitation is one meaningful way we can show up as partners.

Perhaps the most important takeaway is this: while every community is different, the challenges we are working to solve are shared. We have strong leadership, engaged partners, and real momentum in Wilmington. We are making meaningful progress in workforce development, housing partnerships, and business support. Experiences like this help us refine our approach, strengthen collaboration, and move forward with greater clarity.

We are grateful to our sponsors, Wilmington International Airport and Lanier Property Group, and to everyone who made this experience possible.