Each year the RiverLink board of directors recognizes river friendly businesses that have through their standard operating practices contributed to the health and well being of the French Broad River watershed as a destination to live, learn, work and play. Previous winners include the Phil Mechanic Studios, artist John Payne, The Asheville Brewers Alliance, AvL Technologies and a host of other companies that have been good stewards of the environment and operated successful business that have helped protect and promote the French Broad River.
This year RiverLink is proud to recognize the following
diverse businesses as contributors to the popularity, protection,
and sustainability of the French Broad River
The ByWater - The ByWater has become a
favorite meeting place for everyone. Whether you are wearing a business
suit or a bathing suit, brought your dog or left her at home, kids of all ages
love sitting on the banks of the French Broad River at the ByWater
on Riverside Drive. According the executive director of RiverLink Karen
Cragnolin, "The ByWater is a great equalizer, much like the river itself.
Its a very democratic destination for our entire community and the larger
community has responded to its vibe. I love to see multi-generational
folks celebrating a birthday sitting next to a young couple with a dog and a
man in a suit and a tie sitting next to someone who just pulled their paddle
board out of the river. The ByWater is further proof that the river belongs to
everyone and everyone loves the French Broad."
Roots Rootsfoods.com is a local success
story on every level. Located in a small building in the River Arts
District Roots is a locally grown business that in addition to making
delicious traditional hummus makes hummus out of every conceivable vegetable
combination from lima beans to red peppers. For Asheville foodies its
also very important that all Roots Hummus treats are certified non GMO,
vegan and gluten free. Roots business has grown expediently and is
now distributed in select markets across the USA. According to Karen
Cragnolin, RiverLink Executive Director, "Roots is a constant partner with
RiverLink. They feed our 2,700 volunteers all year long. Most times
the owner and employees will read our newsletter and anticipate our needs by
delivering hummus to our offices for an upcoming event."
The Biltmore Estate & Winery
Western North Carolina just wouldn't be western North Carolina
without the Biltmore Estate and Winery. Not only is the house the largest
privately owned house in the USA, but it where the first school of forestry
began and sustainability has always been in the forefront of operations.
Today when you drive past the estate on I-240 you can see the acres of
solar panel fields that help fuel their operations. Much of the food served on
the Estate in their numerous restaurants is grown on the Estate. The
Estate uses best management practices and a combination of traditional and the
latest technology to control erosion and run off into the rivers.
According to Karen Cragnolin, executive director of RiverLink,
"the 10 or so miles of the French Broad that flow
through the Estate are easy to spot from the river because the riparian buffer
along the Estate is in such great condition. For all the times the last
30 years I have been on and around the river I have never known of any erosion
sloughing off the estate and into the river. The Biltmore Estate has a
unique and enviable tradition of being extremely conscious
property owners and river stewards. They help establish the standard for
being good stewards of our resources as good business practices"
For more information about RiverLink and its projects and programs
visit the webpage at riverlink.org.
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