As business owners begin to rebuild their livelihoods in the wake of Helene, financial relief efforts are beginning to take shape in Western North Carolina.
Author: Brooke Randle
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Health professionals help residents unpack feelings of dread and uncertainty post-Helene
Local mental health therapists, healers offer solace as residents enter next phase of storm’s lingering aftermath.
‘Citizen-only voting’ referendum on NC ballot this fall
The General Assembly passed House Bill 1074, which would change the wording of the state constitution to clarify who is allowed to vote in state and local elections, but it requires majority approval from voters.
City manager addresses employee-compensation complaints
A group of Black women City of Asheville employees were lauded during the Sept. 10 Council meeting, after they raised concerns over hiring and compensation practices. The City of Asheville says it’s taking steps to address the concerns.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Homeowner grant applications now open
The program gives qualified homeowners in Buncombe County a grant up to $300, and those living within the City of Asheville could receive up to $500. Grantees may choose to have funds applied to their property tax bill and/or directly to mortgage or homeowner’s insurance.
City program offers ‘carrot’ to hotel developers
Since 2021, 13 hotel projects have gone through the by-right process, with 11 committing more than $2.7 million toward city priorities, according to a newly released City of Asheville public dashboard.
County commissioners to create STR ad hoc committee
After several work sessions, hours of public comment and the clock ticking down on a 100-day pause, Buncombe County commissioners said at their July 16 briefing meeting that they planned to create an ad hoc committee to address sticking points in a proposed short-term rentals ordinance.
Working Together: Sweet, sweet friendship
One of The Hop and Lee’s One Fortune Farm’s favorite collaborations is their peach ice cream, which was released last week.
Working together: Eye-catching, business-building
“We’re a spectacle. Sometimes people are rubbernecking as we drive down the road,” says Move It Or Lose It owner Amalia Grannis.
YWCA acknowledges financial woes, closes pool
The organization cited lingering economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, shifts in funding priorities and the need for facility repairs as reasons for the shortfall.
Business, nonprofit roundup: Rhubarb to hold wedding-vendor showcase July 21
The showcase will feature more than a dozen local vendors in the industry, including photographers, florists, musicians and stationery printers.
Brood 19 cicadas emerge in WNC
‘We haven’t really seen any widespread emergence of the periodical cicada so far, but we think it’s really going to be isolated to very small areas in southern Buncombe and around the Arden area and in Fairview,” says Owen.
Council to vote on tax increase to fund employee raises
According to a staff report, the new pay raise proposal includes a flat dollar increase of $4,053 for beginning on-shift firefighters, which will boost the lowest paid firefighter pay by 8.8% to $50,309 annually.
BCTDA anticipates flat occupancy earnings for fiscal year 2025
The Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority unveiled its proposed $34.3 million budget budget for fiscal year 2025 during its May 29 board meeting.
Raising firefighter pay may mean tax increases, Council says
The Council chambers and overflow room were at capacity during the Tuesday night meeting where all of the speakers who commented on the proposed budget advocated for increasing pay for city employees.
Council to hold public hearing on proposed budget Tuesday, May 28
The proposed budget includes a 4.11% salary increase for all permanent city employees.
BREAKING: Organizers say they are ‘pausing’ Project Aspire
Project Aspire — a vast mixed-use, mixed-income venture slated for downtown Asheville — would have occupied 10.5 acres in downtown Asheville.
Wendy White on the power of love
“I’m talking about roll up your sleeves, get down, get dirty, love, and connection and compassion,” says White, describing the Asheville-based nonprofit Let’s Choose Love. “And so, it became like a call to action. I thought, regardless of who we are, if we could let love be our guide in every decision in every interaction, we’d be fine.”
Business, nonprofit roundup: Bear cub pulled from tree ‘doing well’
Asheville made national headlines last month after a video that showed people pulling two bear cubs from a tree to take photos with the animals went viral.
Council candidates share life on the campaign trail
With the general election six months away, Xpress asked each candidate about campaign strategy and lessons from the trail thus far.
BID public hearing draws crowd despite scheduling kerfuffle
The BID proposal requires two votes from Council, The first is slated for Tuesday, May 14, and the second on Tuesday, June 11. If approved, the governance structure of the BID will be established at a later date.