Summary
Partner Community Capital (PCAP) hosted its 13th Annual Western North Carolina (WNC) Business Showcase on May 14–16, 2025, bringing together lenders, community partners, and supporters for a two-day field experience celebrating the resilience and innovation of locally owned businesses.
Asheville, NC – Partner Community Capital (PCAP) hosted its 13th Annual Western North Carolina (WNC) Business Showcase on May 14–16, 2025, bringing together lenders, community partners, and supporters for a two-day field experience celebrating the resilience and innovation of locally owned businesses.
The showcase began the evening of May 14, at Point Lookout in Hendersonville, with an opening reception. With the theme of “Stronger Roots, Brighter Future,” this year’s showcase highlighted recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which impacted communities across Western North Carolina in September 2024.
The following PCAP-supported businesses participated in the event:
- Deerwoode Reserve
- Green River BBQ
- Open Oven, LLC
- Orchard’s Edge Retreat
- Point Lookout Vineyards
- Provisions Mercantile
- Solar Suds/Eco Clean of Asheville
- St. Gerard House
- Swannanoa Grass Roots Alliance
- Wunderland Resort
“These businesses are shining examples of what’s possible when entrepreneurs in Western North Carolina receive the right support at the right time,” said Erika McGilley, PCAP’s Chief Lending Officer and founder of the showcase. “The Business Showcase is about more than just projects we’ve funded—it’s about relationships, innovation, and building a stronger local economy.”
Following Hurricane Helene, PCAP moved swiftly to support affected clients by offering customized loan payment deferrals to borrowers in impacted areas. The emergency relief helped small businesses stabilize cash flow, recover operations, and retain staff during a time of uncertainty.
“We know that continued support is critical for a full recovery, and beyond that our clients aren’t just borrowers—they’re partners and neighbors,” McGilley said. “When disaster strikes, our role is to show up, provide flexibility, and ensure that the businesses we believe in have the support they need to recover and thrive,” she added.
During the showcase, attendees had the opportunity to hear firsthand from business owners about the challenges they’ve faced—from weathering economic disruptions to rebuilding after Hurricane Helene—and how PCAP’s capital and advisory services helped sustain their growth.
As PCAP celebrates 25 years of impact under the theme “Making the Impossible Possible,” this year’s WNC Business Showcase was a powerful reminder of the organization’s long-standing commitment to equity, resilience, and opportunity across the Appalachian and Southeastern regions.
