About MADE X MTNS

The Made By Mountains Partnership is all about supporting the people, companies, and communities that make this such an extraordinary outdoor mecca and telling the stories of how we’ve all been shaped by the mountains we call home.

THESE MOUNTAINS MAKE US

The Made By Mountains Partnership is here to celebrate and build a stronger sense of pride in our region around the extraordinary outdoor recreation industry that these mountains have made, the mountain towns and cities that were literally built from the mountains, and the exceptional people who have made their lives here. We are building a shared narrative that will help people from the Smokies to the Blue Ridge, High Country to the Foothills all tell a collective story of how these mountains have made them who they are today.

WHO WE WORK WITH

Three core organizations – the Outdoor Business Alliance of WNC, Mountain BizWorks, and the NC Outdoor Recreation Industry Office – collaborate with industry leaders and key figures from across Western North Carolina to grow this partnership and serve our three guiding pillars of Building Vibrant Outdoor Communities, Growing Outdoor Businesses, and Amplifying Outdoor Culture. Outdoor-focused marketing and design company Outpost brought the logo and original brand to life. Local writer Graham Averill crafted our anthem and writes the majority of our stories. Tommy Penick created our introductory movie. Local filmmaker Robb Leahy helps us craft the adjoining video segments to our Made By Mountains stories and local podcaster, Mike Andress at Exploration Local helps tell even more stories through content-rich audio episodes. Uproar Concept is helping us launch a dynamic retail campaign in late 2023.

Collective Effort & Partnerships

This is a collective effort, powered by people from every part of the outdoor economy. With support from the Appalachian Regional Commission and Dogwood Health Trust, this partnership is shaped through the collaborative input of a growing collective of organizations ranging from outdoor industry to economic development to local and state government and academia.

it takes a village

Now, the future of this work is in the hands of the community. Dozens of partners have been involved in bringing this partnership to life, and we continue to collaborate with companies, communities, and people who are passionate about these mountains, and want to tell their own stories to help spread the word of how Western North Carolina is Made By Mountains.

you're invited

As we collaborate to retain and grow companies, organizations, communities and people who appreciate all these mountains have to offer, we invite you to join our community and partnership.  Together we can work to care for our communities and outdoor spaces, and be good steward to protect them for generations to come.

MADE X MTNS Partners

OUTDOOR business Alliance

Our collaborative network of manufacturers, outfitters, retailers, nonprofits and partners makes up the largest concentration of outdoor businesses East of the Rockies and the first regional outdoor industry association in the US. The OBA’s mission is to Cultivate, Connect, and Support a Community of Outdoor Industry Leaders here in Western North Carolina. Our member companies are dedicated to supporting one another and the region in growing our outdoor economy.

OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY OFFICE OF NORTH CAROLINA

The Outdoor Industry Office of North Carolina, the first State Outdoor Industry Office in the Eastern US, focuses on recruiting new businesses to the state, supporting the needs of existing businesses, connecting exporters to global customers, and helping small business owners get their start. The office promotes conservation and stewardship, workforce training, economic development, and public health and wellness.

Mountain Bizworks Callout

Mountain Bizworks

From the Waypoint Accelerator, the first outdoor industry business accelerator in the East, to small business financing, coaching, mentorship, and training programs, Mountain BizWorks is here to help small businesses start, grow, and thrive.

Thrive Here

These mountains have made dreamers and doers, tinkerers and builders, industry leaders and pioneers.

    These mountains make us industry leaders, thinkers, builders, growers, dreamers, makers, athletes and caretakers. How will these mountains make you?

    Subscribe for Updates: