Asheville G20 Impact Estimates Diverge by $18 Million as Officials Tout Long-Term Investment Upside
Updated
Updated · WLOS · Sep 3
Asheville G20 Impact Estimates Diverge by $18 Million as Officials Tout Long-Term Investment Upside
3 articles · Updated · WLOS · Sep 3
Summary
Explore Asheville put the G20 finance meetings' preliminary local impact at about $2 million, far below Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's estimate of more than $20 million in benefits.
Bessent said the higher figure includes direct spending and earned media after two days of globally televised meetings that repeatedly showcased Asheville and western North Carolina.
Local economic leaders argued the bigger payoff may be harder to count immediately, pointing to an Indonesian delegation's visit during G20 week to discuss export opportunities for Asheville-made products.
Chris Pilkerton, an assistant Treasury secretary, said turning that exposure into funding and business growth now depends on local leaders and entrepreneurs bringing opportunities to Asheville.
Western North Carolina enters that push with a recovery story already underway: since Helene, seven companies have expanded there, representing roughly $400 million in investment and 725 committed jobs.