University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Athletics to Receive $500,000 Investment from the BCTDA’s Tourism Product Development Fund for On-Campus Tennis Project
10.01.2025 | General, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
ASHEVILLE (Oct. 1, 2025) — UNC Asheville Athletics has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Buncombe County Tourism Authority through its Tourism Product Development Fund (TPDF) for a new on-campus tennis facility project. This funding, along with additional grants and private contributions, will help support this important facility for both the campus and community.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority for their generous investment in our on-campus tennis facility," said UNC Asheville Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "This support not only enhances the experience for our student-athletes and coaches but also strengthens our capacity to host events that attract visitors and showcase UNC Asheville. The TPDF's commitment ensures that tennis will continue to thrive at a championship level on our campus, and we are honored to collaborate in this significant endeavor."
The development of the on-campus tennis facility was announced on July 18, 2024, as a part of the ALL IN Comprehensive Campaign.
"As Asheville and Buncombe County continue to bounce back and move forward from Hurricane Helene, this year's Tourism Product Development Fund investments are powerful commitments to supporting our community's resilience," said Vic Isley, President & CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. "These investments, powered by lodging tax paid by visitors, align with the authority's strategic imperatives and are dispersed throughout the County from Swannanoa and Black Mountain to downtown Asheville and Enka. Each project creates a compelling new reason for visitors to choose Buncombe County while delivering tangible benefits that enhance pride, quality of life, and experience for residents throughout Buncombe County."
TPDF supports major tourism capital projects by providing grants, loans, and debt service, benefiting both residents and visitors in Buncombe County. Established in 2001, TPDF is funded entirely through occupancy taxes paid by visitors staying overnight in Buncombe County commercial lodging facilities. Following today's decision, the authority has surpassed more than $100 million in total community capital investments since 2001 through TPDF and the Legacy Investment from Tourism (LIFT) Fund.
For more information about this project—including naming opportunities, please contact Janet R. Cone, Director of Athletics, at jcone@unca.edu or (828) 251-6922.
For more information about TPDF, please visit https://www.exploreasheville.