Mills River Considers Joining National Flood Insurance Program Amid Rising Flood Concerns
Mills River's Town Council is considering joining the NFIP to access flood assistance post-Hurricane Helene.
Buncombe County to Reinstating Permit and Development Fees
As the calendar flips to 2025, Buncombe County is set to bring back residential and commercial permitting and development fees that were temporarily waived following Hurricane Helene. This change, effective January 1, will mark the end of a fee-free period initiated by the North Carolina General Assembly to aid recovery efforts. Understanding the Fee Reinstatement […]
Stein Signs EOs to Help WNC
In his first action as governor of North Carolina, Josh Stein signed five executive orders to expedite ongoing hurricane relief efforts in the western part of the state.
The Latest Attempt with Ramada
City leaders hoped the Ramada Inn in East Asheville would be converted to housing for the area’s homeless. Instead, it has remained vacant. It’s new owner, Friendship for Affordable Housing, has cut the number of permanent supportive housing units promised in half.
Insufficient Capacity: The Buck Stops Here
At their December 10 meeting, members of Asheville City Council were asked to approve the receipt of additional HUD funds for disaster recovery. During the public hearing, they were "alarmed" to find that none of the previous hundreds of thousands of CDBG dollars they had disbursed for hurricane relief had been spent.
Feds Helping Buncombe Buy up Land in Floodplain
Federal and state agencies are giving money to local governments to buy up homes in the floodplain. The residences will be demolished, and the land will be deed-restricted as greenspace in perpetuity.
Woodfin Council Discusses Waste Management and Community Needs
The Town of Woodfin held its regular council meeting on November 19, 2024, where community members gathered to discuss pressing issues, including disaster recovery, solid waste management, and local services. The meeting showcased the town’s commitment to transparency and public involvement, with a hybrid format allowing both in-person and remote participation. Community Support and Public […]
Weaverville Town Council Meeting: Key Updates and Discussions
During the Town Council meeting on November 18, 2024, Weaverville addressed key topics including financial health with a tax report showing 22.58% property tax collection, community development plans for a 35-lot subdivision, public safety updates from the police department, and ongoing recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene, while encouraging resident engagement through public comments.
Understanding Duke Energy’s Rate Changes: Savings for Homes and Businesses
Duke Energy Progress is lowering rates somewhat, but any consumer gains will soon be overshadowed, as the utility is awaiting regulatory approval for recovery of hurricane expenses. Also, Duke is incurring major capital expenses as it works to comply with legislation requiring it to "net-zero" its emissions by 2050.
Major Developments from the Polk County Board Meeting
The Polk County Board of Commissioners met on November 18, 2024, addressing transit grants for seniors, hurricane recovery, school funding, and water system boundaries. Key discussions included enhancing transportation services, updating on local projects, and managing budget concerns. The next meeting is set for December 2, 2024.