Explore world-class cuisine and recreation.

• Position: THE WEST

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If you can look past the views that the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains provide, you'll find a region full of adventure. Forests and parks, including the state's first that protects the highest peak in the East, Mount Mitchell, offer camping, mountain biking and hiking. The Blue Ridge Parkway winds along 470 miles, offering overlooks and encounters with local wildlife. The region's largest city, Asheville, is a foodie's paradise and was named Beer City USA four times. Tour Biltmore Estate, the country's largest home, which was built by George Vanderbilt. In the High Peaks, you'll find shopping in Boone and Blowing Rock and a large arts district in West Jefferson. The region has four distinct seasons, including a winter with enough snow and cold to support six ski resorts.

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Counties

Alexander

Alleghany

Ashe

Avery

Buncombe

Burke

Caldwell

Cherokee

Clay

Graham

Haywood

Henderson

Jackson

Macon

McDowell

Mitchell

Polk

Rutherford

Swain

Transylvania

Watauga

Wilkes

Yancey

Transportation assets

* Interstates 26 and 40

* Ashe County Airport

* Asheville Regional Airport

* Avery County Airport

* Foothills Regional Airport

* Macon County Airport

* Western Carolina Regional Airport

* Rutherford County Airport

* Wilkes County Airport

Main industries

* Aerospace and defense

* Furniture

* Brewing

* Data centers

* Tourism

* Advanced manufacturing

* Christmas trees

Recent economic announcements:

(Company, jobs, investment, industry sector, county)

* GF Linamar LLC 350, $217 million, automotive, Henderson

* Krystal Engineering 82, $20.9 million, automotive, Caldwell

* U.S. Precision Construction 40, $6.6 million, Rutherford

* Demmel AG 50, $4.3 million, automotive, Henderson

* Meridian Specialty Yarn Group Inc. 25, $8.5 million...