Asheville's Helene recovery gets global G20 spotlight
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Downtown Asheville a decade ago. Photo: George Rose/Getty Images
This weekend, a G20 summit in Asheville will draw finance ministers, economic leaders and heavy-hitting CEOs from around the world.
Why it matters: Choosing the Blue Ridge Mountains for the summit is a strategic show of support from the Trump administration for a region still healing from Tropical Storm Helene.
Zoom in: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will use the G20 Finance Ministerial to push his global counterparts to focus on growth and prosperity, a stark change of tone and topic from climate change, which often dominates gatherings of world leaders.
- More than 1,000 people are expected, including 200 journalists from dozens of countries.
- Among the Fortune 500 executives expected to attend are JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, 3M CEO Bill Brown, and Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh will co-host.
What they're saying: Tourism authority Explore Asheville told the Asheville Watchdog that $1.5 to $2 million is projected to be spent at local businesses during the summit — welcome news for an economy still rebuilding following Helene's devastation in 2024.
- "Assuming all goes off without a hitch, it will demonstrate that the region's tourism infrastructure can once again support large corporate and international gatherings," Watchdog editor Peter Lewis wrote.
Zoom out: The Asheville gathering is the first of three major U.S.-hosted G20 summits this year.
- The others are in Atlanta and at a Trump-owned resort in Miami.
Between the lines: Just over two months remain before the 2026 midterms, and North Carolina and Georgia both have Senate races that political analysts believe lean toward Democratic candidates.
- And thanks to Rep. Chuck Edwards' scandal forcing him to exit the race for 11th Congressional District earlier this month, Republicans have a surprisingly competitive House election in the North Carolina mountains.
Behind the scenes: Key MAGA influencers will get access as Bessent highlights the Trump administration's continuing work to revitalize western North Carolina after Helene.
- Mainstream national outlets will broadcast from Asheville, too, including CNBC's Sara Eisen, co-anchor of "Squawk on the Street."
- Bessent will join Larry Kudlow of Fox Business for a fireside chat.
- President Trump hasn't signaled plans to attend.
State of play: The Watchdog notes the Omni Grove Park Inn is 100% booked the dates of the summit.
- No precise location has been confirmed, but the century-old hotel is no stranger to politics. It's hosted former President Obama multiple times, as well as FDR and an exiled Philippine president.
What's next: Summit meetings will be held Friday through Sunday.
- Daily protests are planned in the liberal mountain town.