The mission of The Industrial Commons is to rebuild a diverse working class in Western North Carolina, based on locally-rooted wealth.

Our Work

Business Development

Working with triple-bottom line businesses to scale, create quality jobs with voice and agency, and convert to employee ownership

A middle aged African American man is smiling crouched down in front of textile machinery. They have their hand resting on the machinery. There are wires and buttons behind them.

Network Development

Organizing the U.S. textile industry toward environmental sustainability and circularity

A group of people are standing and sitting around a round table. They are looking at a bunch of multi color notes cards on the table. There are pens and paper on the table too.

Workforce Development

Providing frontline workers with the skills, training and education needed to obtain economic mobility in our rural region

A young caucasian woman is sewing at a sewing machine smiling. There are people sewing behind her.

Community Engagement

Transforming our place-based ecosystem with values of equity and participation to build artistic appreciation, cultural understanding, and civic engagement

A group of people are sitting and standing inside smiling. There are paintings on the wall behind them.