ASHEVILLE – The North Carolina Awards, the state’s highest civilian honor, will be presented by Gov. Josh Stein in Asheville this year, capping off a tourism initiative designed to drive more business to Western North Carolina, the governors office announced July 24.
“I am proud that this year’s North Carolina Awards will be held in western North Carolina to help shine a light on the fact that the area is open for folks to enjoy,” Stein said in a July 24 news release. “This year, we will honor the very best of North Carolina while encouraging tourism and helping support the ongoing recovery out west.”
The governor has heavily prioritized bringing business back to the region that faces an uneven economic recovery after Tropical Storm Helene caused unemployment in the region to spike in September. He has frequently visited the region to promote and highlight residents and businesses impacted by the storm. Coordinating with the state’s advertising agency Visit NC, Stein launched a tourism campaign titled “Rediscover the Unforgettable” on July 15., which he had previously announced in June at the reopening Chimney Rock State Park…