The Perfect Climate For Growing Businesses

With its diverse economic sectors, strong workforce and entrepreneurial spirit, Henderson County is not only a place where retirees enjoy the fruits of their labor but also where new businesses take root and well-established industries thrive.

As with many rural areas, the education and healthcare sectors are top employers. Independent stores in bustling downtown Hendersonville and throughout the county make the retail sector robust. Retiree wealth helps bring strength to the financial and professional services sector. Agriculture, manufacturing and tourism remain cornerstones of Henderson County’s economy as the burgeoning craft beverages industry here also continues to flourish.

Since William Mills planted his first apple tree in the Fruitland area of Henderson County at the end of the 18th century, agriculture has been a staple of Henderson County’s economy. Apples are still king here with the county being ranked first in apple production in all of North Carolina, growing up to 80% of the state’s entire apple crop on more than 150 orchards in Henderson County. Having that many apples to manage also has spawned other related ventures such as packing houses, traditional and hard cider producers and many roadside stands.

In addition to growing apples in Henderson County, berry production is increasing in the county and the area is becoming known for grape production for wine. Local farms also produce a wide variety of field crops, nursery and sod crops, as well as beef cattle and other livestock.

In recent years, “agri-tourism” has added to this sector’s bottom line. Farmers markets, “u-pick” operations, hayrides, farm tours and tasting rooms can all be found in Henderson County. For more about farmers markets in Henderson County, turn to page 58.

With the popularity of locally grown foods, agri-tourism and craft beverages, agriculture here has become even more significant. Today, 557 farms with nearly 38,000 acres operate within the county. Agribusiness in Henderson County employs more than 8,150 people and brings in annual receipts of $400 million.

To help ensure that agriculture remains a growing sector in the local economy, Agribusiness Henderson County assists new and existing producers in their agricultural pursuits. This public and privately funded nonprofit also operates the Southern Mountain Fresh Program, which brings the public and locally grown food together. At SouthernMountainFresh.com, people can find out what’s in season in Henderson County and where to buy it. The website also publicizes area agriculture events and is a resource for agri-tourism opportunities. The Blue Ridge Farm Direct Market Association also offers information about farms as well as what crops are in season at NCApples.com.

The county’s first craft brewer opened its operation downtown off 7th Avenue in Hendersonville in 2011. The next year, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company announced Mills River as the site of their East Coast operation and began brewing and distributing in 2014. During the same period, several commercial vineyards opened wineries in the county, and small hard cider producers followed shortly thereafter.

visit Henderson County. Learn more about local breweries, wineries, cideries and places that make mead at VisitHendersonvilleNC.org/ Cheers-Trail and through the Ale Trail on page 44 and at AshevilleAleTrail.com.

MANUFACTURING

1920s when Kimberly-Clark was first established as a paper and newsprint company. Kimberly-Clark is now a billion-dollar company with global family care and personal care brands that include Huggies®, Kleenex®, Scott®, Cottonelle® and Kotex®.

Manufacturing thrives in the county thanks to a strong focus on resources that support success. These assets include transportation access, infrastructure and workforce advantages. Being situated at the crossroads of I-26 and I-40 makes it easy to move raw materials and finished goods. Air transport and commercial air services provided by the Asheville Regional Airport and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport ensure people and products move efficiently around the world.

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Kimberly-Clark's well known family care and personal care brands hold the #1 or #2 share position in 80 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people’s most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what’s important to them.

In Henderson County, the Berkeley Mill is an ISO Certified work location with approximately 350 people. It contains 7 Nonwoven Base Machines and operates on a 24/7 production schedule. The site ships products to other Kimberly-Clark plants to convert and export other materials to other countries.

WANT

Boasting both rural and urban settings, high numbers of doctors offices and recreation opportunities as well as a plethora of retirement facilities, Henderson County has long been a popular living choice for retirees. A recent study by SmartAsset ranked Hendersonville the best place to retire in the state of North Carolina. With 47% of the county’s population over the age of 50, retirees bring a significant impact to the economy. Of the county’s households, 25.9% earn retirement income and 38.1% earn Social Security income. Flat Rock ranked the 19th highest retirement income per household out of 722