Downtown is a major employer.
The Heart of Brevard alone has approximately 110 businesses. When you include the rest of the downtown district you have over 200 businesses and almost 1500+ people working in Brevard’s downtown.
Downtown is a great incubator for a new business.
Rental rates are often less expensive in Brevard’s downtown. New businesses also benefit from the success of close, neighboring businesses.
Downtown provides many essential goods and services for the community.
Downtown Brevard not only has City Hall, the Transylvania County Courthouse, the federal Post Office, the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, the Transylvania County Public Library, a first-run movie theatre, the telephone company, the newspaper, the Transylvania Heritage Museum, and a gas station. But the downtown contains many essential professional services providers: physicians, dentists, attorneys, bankers, hair stylists, insurance agents, investment brokers, architects, therapists, computer specialists, bakers, real estate brokers, accountants, and a florist. All this plus the many restaurants, galleries, and retail businesses that include hardware, jewelry, clothing and outdoor wear, kitchen ware, wine and cheese, candies, antique and home furnishings, Christmas ornaments.
Downtown represents a significant portion of the city’s tax base.
Not only do property owners enhance the city’s tax base, but shoppers and visitors help keep taxes and profits in the community.
Downtown is the historic core of the city.
Many of the buildings from the 1920s remain due to millions of dollars of private investment to help retain the community’s heritage and pride of its past. Parts of the downtown is a National Registered Historic District.
Downtown is a central community gathering place.
Brevard’s downtown encourages residents and visitors to congregate for parades, street festivals, and special events that reinforce the sense of place and being part of a community.