Economy & Industry in Ashe County

Traditionally an agriculture and manufacturing economy, the industrial make-up of Ashe County is rapidly changing.  Today, industry is dominated by the electronics and automotive industries and includes:  American Emergency Vehicles, B.R.E.W, Chief’s Fire and Rescue,  Gates Rubber Company, General Assembly Corporation, Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc., Northwestern Vehicles, Screen Specialty Shop, Southeastern Specialty Vehicles, Tigra USA, and United Chemi-Con.  Other major businesses include Ashe County Cheese, B&B Swimwear, Catawissa Lumber Company, Dr. Pepper Bottlers, Elk Creek International, and Uniform Express.

Currently, Ashe is developing an Entrepreneurial Incubator Center which includes a licensed commercial kitchen for value-added food production.

Agriculture continues to be a vital industry and in 2003 brought over $45 million in revenue to the county.  Most of this income is due to the thriving Christmas tree industry that boasts over 9.8 million trees making Ashe County the largest producer in North Carolina and second in the nation. The tourism industry has nearly doubled in the past decade.  With the Blue Ridge Parkway and New River as major tourist draws, Ashe County in 2003 realized $32 million in revenues.  A direct result of the increased tourism has been the second home market and the growth of the financial, insurance and real estate markets.