On May 8, the North Carolina Economic Development Association (NCEDA) hosted the Western Regional Luncheon at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
NCEDA hosts a variety of networking luncheons throughout the year focusing on current topics of interest to economic developers. As an NCEDA Board Member and the Professional Development Committee Co-Chair, Ms. Martin-Lane was involved with planning the event and bringing it to life.
This year’s Western Regional Luncheon featured a keynote address from Blake Butler, Executive Director of the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association. Mr. Butler described the farming, retail, and manufacturing/processing implications of hemp on the North Carolina economy. He also addressed labor concerns, job creation potential, and issues related to maintaining a marketable workforce.
The North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission, Asheville Botanicals, Carolina Hemp, Asheville Craft Cannabis, and Organic Extracts also spoke about industrial hemp.
Attendees had an opportunity to tour of Asheville Botanicals, a hemp processing facility, following the luncheon.
Dominion Energy, the presenting sponsor for the event, spoke about the SCANA and Dominion merger, a $15 billion deal.
The event attracted more than 75 economic developers.
