An aerial view of the Grove Park Inn. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) —Leaders from some of the world’s largest economies are arriving in Asheville as the Grove Park Inn prepares to host high-level G20 Finance Track meetings this weekend — while local groups plan demonstrations criticizing the event and questioning its connection to western North Carolina’s recovery.
Asheville becomes stage for G20 talks and local debate over stalled Helene recovery funds. (WLOS)
The meetings begin Saturday, with finance ministers and central bank governors from some of the world’s largest economies, including China, Russia, and the U.S. Sources with the U.S. Treasury Department say some dignitaries began arriving Thursday, with others expected Friday.
The Grove Park Inn is expected to be closed to the public during the meetings.
The G20 Finance Track brings together top economic and financial officials for discussions about issues, including interest rates, national debt and global economic growth.
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UNC Charlotte economics professor Dr. Matthew Metzgar says coordination between countries can help prevent economic problems from spreading globally.
“What I think is a big purpose to these meetings is to avoid a large, say, global recession. If you can have coordination and information to avoid something like that, it does keep our economy going and keep the regular families going,” Metzgar said.
Those discussions can have an impact beyond government offices, including on borrowing costs, economic growth and household finances.
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But some local organizers question why the U.S. Treasury, running the event, chose to have the meetings in western North Carolina. The premise is to highlight Helene recovery with millions in federally-approved taxpayer funds. But much of the money approved by elected officials in D.C. still hasn’t come through nearly two years after Helene.
Alyssa Morgan with the WNC Alignment Table says the focus is misplaced.
“They’re here to discuss financial priorities and economic growth, none of which has to do with rebuilding the WNC area or helping our communities at large, both in this country and in the world. They’re here just to talk about making money,” Morgan said.
Demonstrators Prepare for G20 Protests
Meanwhile, groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, plan to join local grassroots organizations for a demonstration Friday afternoon. Organizers say they plan to hang banners along downtown overpasses around 4:30 p.m. to protest the meetings and call attention to what they describe as economic inequities.
GROUP PLANS EVENTS TO PROTEST ASHEVILLE G20 GATHERING
Demonstrators say federal recovery funding remains stalled and want to use the G20 meetings to draw attention to what they believe are unmet needs in the region.
The contrast has created two very different views of the weekend: Federal officials promoting Asheville as an example of recovery and local organizers arguing the area still needs substantial rebuilding and assistance.
The Grove Park Inn says hosting world leaders is consistent with the hotel’s long history.
A spokesperson provided the following statement:
For more than a century, the hotel has welcomed world leaders, dignitaries and travelers from around the globe, and we look forward to serving as one of the host locations for the G20 meetings.
With global finance leaders arriving and demonstrations planned downtown, Asheville is set to become the focus of both international economic discussions and a local debate over what recovery should look like for western North Carolina.
