Gov. Beverly Perdue is in Asheville today and tomorrow.

Perdue is holding an economic roundtable at UNC-Asheville this morning and speaking to the Council of Independent Business Owners and touring a General Electric plant this afternoon.

On Friday, she'll tour the Bent Creek Institute biotechnology facility on the campus of the North Carolina Arboretum.

The trip is part of Perdue's ongoing efforts to be more visible throughout the state.

At least three Republican gubernatorial candidates will attend a luncheon next week in Asheville.

The Council of Independent Business Owners, which holds the monthly event, has invited all four candidates for the Republican nomination, and plans to hold a luncheon with the Democratic candidates next month.

Bill Graham, Fred Smith and Bob Orr have all confirmed. Patty Beaver of the CIBO said she thinks that Pat McCrory will follow suit soon.

The luncheon will take place Thursday Jan. 24, from noon to 1:30 at the Asheville Country Club.

Hat Tip: Capital Letters