Local resident Greer Gunby reflects on his volunteer work with MountainTrue.
Asheville Music School emerges from pandemic stronger than ever
The local music nonprofit brings back its Sound Effects Benefit Concert and moves into a new West Asheville home.
Q&A with Debbie Welch, North Carolina Big Sister of the Year
Xpress sits down with Debbie Welch to discuss her 2022 award and the joys of being a Big Sister.
Why I volunteer: Mike Erwin on WNC Nature Center
Local resident Mike Erwin reflects on his volunteer work at the WNC Nature Center.
Why I volunteer: Jan Oliver on Friends2Ferals
Local resident Jan Oliver discusses her volunteer work with Friends2Ferals.
Why we volunteer: Tricia and Charlie Franck on Habitat for Humanity
Local residents Tricia and Charlie Franck reflect on their work with Habitat for Humanity.
Q&A: Kelly Shanafelt offers tips and insights on launching a nonprofit
In a conversation with Xpress, Kelly Shanafelt explains the day-to-day of a nonprofit consultant and offers advice for new and established nonprofits, alike.
Green in brief: Chestnut Mountain Nature Park opens to public
About 35 acres of the nearly 450-acre tract — purchased by the nonprofit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in 2020 and recently transferred to the town of Canton — are now open, including the Berm Park mountain bike skills course and a mixed-use hiking/biking trail.
Why I volunteer: Philip Blocklyn on RiverLink
Local resident Philip Blocklyn reflects on his volunteer work with RiverLink.
Why I volunteer: Joanna Kalp on NAMI
Local resident Joanna Kalp reflects on her volunteer work with the National Alliance for Mental Illness of Western North Carolina.
Council to hear $11.7M in ARPA requests
A week after the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners doled out about $4.9 million of its own American Rescue Plan Act allotment, Asheville City Council will consider over $11.7 million in ARPA projects Tuesday, May 10.
Commissioners approve $4.9M for pre-K expansion, affordable housing
The three applications were the first to be funded out of 105 projects that had been submitted in response to Buncombe County’s latest request for proposals for American Rescue Plan Act support, which closed April 12.
Indigenous Walls Project brings Cherokee language to public spaces
Jared Wheatley’s mural project seeks to stimulate conversations between Native and non-Native people.
Asheville-based entrepreneurs shape a service-centered tech sector
Although the region’s technology sector is relatively small, local tech entrepreneurs take pride in their Asheville-inflected approach to business. The firms flourishing here combine a devotion to quality with a sense of social responsibility, aiming to make up for their modest proportions in societal impact.
Local political candidates offer takes on arts issues
AAAC Executive Director Katie Cornell discusses the latest candidate survey and the 2020 edition’s impact on local policies.
Development roundup: Airport expansion up for county approval
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment will consider a special use permit for a proposed terminal expansion at the Asheville Regional Airport Wednesday, May 11.
Commissioners to consider $70M in bond referendums on November ballot
One referendum would authorize $30 million in borrowing for conservation projects while a second referendum would authorize $40 million in bonds for affordable housing efforts.
Salary increases drive Buncombe County budget growth
By far the biggest contributor to Buncombe County’s spending growth in fiscal year 2022-23, accounting for $14.6 million of a projected $20.4 million in new general fund expenses, is salaries and benefits.
Economic, community and cultural resilience marks aftermath of Tropical Storm Fred
For survivors of Tropical Storm Fred, sustainability in recovery is more than environmental. Local governments, property owners and residents are also focusing on economic, community and cultural resilience.
Council approves more funding for Ramada deal
Asheville City Council’s April 26 meeting brought a new wrinkle to the already shambolic process of establishing permanent supportive housing at an East Asheville Ramada Inn.
From CPP: Asheville council will be asked to approve list of nonprofits to receive millions in ARPA funds
The city used a scoring system to winnow the field of applicants, but at least one council member questions the fairness of that approach.