Blending old and new: Western North Carolina is growing its economy and welcoming new businesses, such as craft brewing by leveraging existing assets and traditional industries.

• Position: SPONSORED SECTION: REGIONAL REPORT: WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA

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Three of the country's largest craft-beer brewers --Longmont, Colo.-based Oskar Blues Brewing Co.; Chico, Calif.-based Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.; and Fort Collins, Colo.-based New Belgium Brewing Co.--each chose western North Carolina for their first East Coast brewery. They were attracted over the last four years, in part, by abundant water and a hip vibe that's favored by their employees and customers. When New Belgium, the latest to open, reaches full production in 2020, the companies will employ more than 500 people in Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties.

These brewers, along with dozens of smaller ones, generate payroll, attract tourism dollars and make western North Carolina the epicenter of the state's beer industry. According to a National Beer Wholesalers Association study, the industry added $7.8 billion to the state's economy, created 26,000 jobs and generated $213 million in state and local taxes in 2014, the last year for which figures are available.

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Not long after the three breweries announced or opened their plants, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College released plans for its Craft Beverage Institute of the Southeast, a degree-based program that supports skilled positions in the craft-brewing industry. This past spring, the institute graduated its second class, 28 people, with associate degrees in brewing, fermentation and distillation. Their knowledge and skills cover craft beverages; growing hops and grapevines; marketing, sales and supplier organizations; restaurants and hotels; and new-business development. Most will likely take jobs at local breweries or wineries, says Jeff Irvin, department chairman. In addition to the degree program, the institute offers continuing education and custom training for businesses. Blue Ridge Community College in Transylvania County has a similar program.

The craft-beer industry is a new recipe for success in western North Carolina. It joins other newcomers, including auto and aerospace components and outdoor-recreation gear. They may seem like strange bedfellows, but these businesses and others are reaching critical mass from the foothills to the mountain high country, benefiting from the regions natural resources, responsive workforce development and existing industries, including one of the states oldest: agriculture.

Companies are opening to support the regions growing craft-brewing industry. They can't make beer without yeast or hops, but it costs money and takes time to bring those ingredients from the West Coast, Northeast or Rockies, regions that have been brewery bastions for decades. Asheville-based Riverbend Malt House LLC provides the region's craft brewers and distillers with malt made from locally and sustainably farmed grains. Founded in 2010, it was among the first craft-malt roasters in the South. In 2014, the company expanded, adding racks for bulk-grain storage, a custom-designed kiln, additional...