ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County’s tourism agency is proposing a $27 million budget for the coming fiscal year that continues to heavily invest in marketing Asheville and the surrounding region while drawing millions from reserves to balance spending.
The proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget ordinance for the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority calls for $27.05 million in operating expenditures, with more than two-thirds of that funding dedicated to advertising and promotional efforts aimed at attracting visitors.
Under the proposal, the TDA would spend about $18.35 million on marketing, making it by far the largest line item in the budget. Salaries and benefits account for another $5.05 million, while business development activities are budgeted at just over $2 million…