These ancient mountains captivate people, drawing them to relocate here. Entrepreneurs are no exception; many find they really can have it all here in western North Carolina.

Entrepreneurs living in these CEC^® communities benefit from a supportive leadership team along with great networking in a community of peers.

Tom Dempsey, owner of Sylvan Sport, manufactures a very cool camper/utility trailer. An industrial engineer, Tom created the GO, what he calls mobile adventure gear, for the outdoor adventurer that no longer relishes camping on hard ground, but doesn't want the environmental impact or expense of a RV. The concept of GO is from the outdoor gear world—a place Tom feels at home. Read more about this featured entrepreneur.

From manufacturers of mobile adventure gear to skilled horse trainers, recycling companies to Internet apps high tech, western North Carolina is loaded with entrepreneurs that are thriving. Read about them in the stories of success pages in each community.

Burke
Cherokee
Haywood
Mitchell
Polk
Transylvania
Watauga
Yancey
Macon
Black Mountain