ASHEVILLE N.C.
Newman, local hoteliers split on occupancy tax changes
“The good news — if you’re someone who wants to see the hotel tax law changed — is that all parties seem to be in agreement,” Newman told Xpress. “They want to see the law changed, but at this point, we’re not on the same page about how to change it.”
Anti-Chaining
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Enka ‘bridge to nowhere’ connection on Feb. 18 commission agenda
Board members will consider spending an additional $650,000 to connect the bridge to existing roads at the board’s regular meeting in Room 326 at 200 College St. Buncombe officials previously allocated $3 million in taxpayer money for the structure, which was started over four years ago and has yet to carry traffic over Hominy Creek.
Mission criticized on staff shortages, patient care
Local elected officials, ordinary citizens and even a Mission nurse all blasted the stewardship of Nashville, Tennessee-based HCA Healthcare, which bought the collection of hospitals and other health care institutions for $1.5 billion and began running it in February 2019. The comments came at a Feb. 10 meeting in Asheville to get public input on the performance of the system since it was taken over by the for-profit company.
From CPP: Elected officials blast HCA for first year’s performance at Mission
By Neil Cotiaux, originally published by Carolina Public Press. Carolina Public Press is an independent, in-depth and investigative nonprofit news service for North Carolina. “We are writing with deep concern regarding the state of Mission Hospital Systems since the purchase by Hospital Corporation of America last year.” So began a scorching condemnation of HCA Healthcare’s […]
Ashes to Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C.
Green in brief: Asheville declares climate emergency, Duke opens Arden gas plant
“The loss of life and damage caused by current global warming demonstrates that the Earth is already too hot for safety,” states the document approved by a 6-0 vote of Asheville City Council on Jan. 28. “Restoring a safe and stable climate requires an emergency climate mobilization on a scale not seen since World War II.”
News in brief: Go Local Week announced; hotel policies recommended by land use experts
Representatives from the Urban Land Institute shared their recommendations during a Jan. 30 community meeting to aim to help city officials manage hotel development in wake of the one-year hotel moratorium.
TDA increases ad budget by $1M
As presidential hopefuls blitz the airwaves over the coming months to hook undecided voters, the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority will be stepping up its own campaign. The authority’s board voted to increase its spring and summer advertising budget by $1 million, for a total of $12.65 million, during a Jan. 29 meeting. “We considered […]
Asheville-area body care makers mind sustainability
For Victor Taylor of Appalachian Naturals and other Asheville-area makers of self-care products, simple and responsibly sourced ingredients are key to their businesses. They work to meet customer demand for goods that promote not just healthier skin, but also a healthier planet.
From CPP: Independent monitor for hospital merger going public in big way
Gibbins Advisors, the independent monitor charged with validating HCA Healthcare’s compliance with the promises it made when it acquired Asheville-based Mission Health nearly a year ago, is taking its efforts public in a big way.
News in brief: Police chief, HCA monitor announces community meetings
Jones previously worked as the emergency services director in Anderson County, S.C., for almost 12 years and replaces outgoing Emergency Services Director Jerry VeHaun, who announced his retirement in December after serving in that role since 1972.
Asheville transit needs run $500K over budget
Jessica Morriss, Asheville’s assistant director of transportation, explained that the higher costs were primarily driven by federally mandated door-to-door paratransit service for residents with disabilities. The remaining transit budget gap, she said, was due to higher-than-expected prices for fuel and electricity to power city buses.
Racial equity and NC’s budding hemp industry
Not everyone is reaping the benefits of the booming industrial hemp sector. Although hard numbers are in short supply, a 2017 survey by the Marijuana Business Daily, a Colorado-based website, found that 81% of cannabis-related business owners nationwide were white. A Thursday, Jan. 9, panel will explore the lack of representation of people of color in the growing industry and some possible solutions.
Advertising manager Susan Hutchinson discusses the opportunities and challenges of 2019
How has print advertising changed in the last year? What are the new challenges advertisers face? Susan Hutchinson answers these questions and more.
How Asheville showed its support of local businesses in 2019
Franzi Charen, founder of Asheville Grown Business Alliance, reflects on the ways Asheville showed its support of local businesses in 2019.
Residents skeptical of Duke Energy’s Arden ash plans
On Dec. 19, the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality held a public hearing at A-B Tech to discuss Duke Energy’s plans to create a 12.5-acre industrial landfill at its Arden plant. All but two of the 15 speakers at the hearing expressed worries over the proposed site, which would store coal ash and demolition waste.
Tryon couple open a multifocused creative and retail space
Inherited vintage clothing, previously online-only, recently opened as not only a brick-and-mortar store in downtown Tryon, but also as a collaboration with Heise’s husband, the singer-songwriter and recording artist Steven Fiore (aka Young Mister), who runs Reunion Tour, a recording studio and skate and music shop in the same space.
Human rights activists protest New Belgium’s pending sale
New Belgium’s potential future parent company Kirin has business ties with a military-run conglomerate that’s been linked with genocide in Myanmar.
Seller’s Market
ASHEVILLE, N.C.