Asheville – Regenerating Asheville announced the grand opening of its Regen Hub on February 28th, a community space aimed at fostering sustainability and equity within the French Broad Watershed. The hub is set to serve as a central gathering point for individuals and organizations dedicated to creating a thriving bioregion. The public was invited to a “soft” opening on February 28, where attendees could explore the new facility and engage with the community.
Innovative Space for Collaboration and Resource Sharing
The Regen Hub was designed to be a dynamic center for collaboration, innovation, and resource sharing. It offered a venue for workshops, events, documentary screenings, and networking opportunities, all focused on enhancing the local culture, economy, and environment. Holly McCann, Co-Founder and Vision Keeper at Regenerating Asheville, expressed her enthusiasm about the hub’s potential impact. “The Regen Hub represents a significant step towards realizing our vision of a thriving future for Asheville,” she stated. “It’s a place where ideas can take root, partnerships can flourish, and tangible solutions can be developed to address the challenges facing our community and our planet.”
The soft opening featured a variety of activities designed to engage the community. Attendees enjoyed food and beverages while networking with fellow regenerators. Presentations from the Regenerating Asheville team outlined the organization’s mission and strategic initiatives. A Q&A session allowed participants to share their perspectives and contribute to discussions about bioregional regeneration.
Community Engagement and Support
Regenerating Asheville acknowledged the support of local sponsors, including Mojo Coworking, Hi-Wire Brewing, Terra Nova Beer Co., and Riverside Rhapsody Beer Company. This collaboration highlighted the importance of community involvement in achieving the organization’s goals.
In an interview, McCann elaborated on the organization’s approach to supporting local initiatives. “Through Regenerating Asheville, we are taking an integrated, whole-systems approach and supporting local initiatives in key areas that contribute to thriving in our region,” she explained. The focus areas include water management, forestry, food and farming, housing, local business, and arts and culture.
To measure the success of the Regen Hub in promoting sustainability and equity, Regenerating Asheville is mapping needs and assets within the community. This process involves identifying key stakeholders and high-impact initiatives while drafting a Bioregional Regeneration Strategy. McCann emphasized the importance of participatory governance in this effort: “This draft will then be circulated to stakeholders across all sectors to ensure that we are incorporating a rich diversity of perspectives.”
Building Partnerships for Lasting Impact
The organization is committed to fostering relationships that benefit both individual organizations and the regional ecosystem. McCann noted that building trust among partners is essential for effective collaboration. “Devoted to shifting from silos into synergy, the vast majority of our work is in building relationships of trust,” she said. This includes partnerships with regenerative initiatives, operational partners providing shared support services, media outlets, local government, NGOs, and funders.
As Regenerating Asheville implements programs at the Regen Hub, it anticipates challenges related to awareness of regenerative practices and innovative organizational models. McCann acknowledged that funding for long-term solutions could be difficult to secure but emphasized the importance of education and awareness in overcoming these obstacles. “Our storytelling, messaging, and media will also help increase awareness,” she added.
The Regen Hub aims to host numerous events and workshops to educate community members about regenerative practices. By nurturing relationships founded on trust and aligning with core values such as transparency and inclusivity, Regenerating Asheville seeks to create lasting change for future generations.