A new map from Forbes reveals interesting information about what parts of the country Asheville’s new residents migrate from — and where the city’s inhabitants go when they leave.
Tag: Buncombe
Showing 22-38 of 38 results
Services or taxes – which is it?
Jeff Gerber's July 20 letter, “Study Hard, N.C. Legislature,” perfectly illustrates the conservative mindset about government revenue and spending. He says, "making cuts to the law-enforcement and judicial system is ludicrous," and "conservatives never raise taxes.” Money doesn't grow on trees; it has to come from somewhere. In the case of government-provided services such as […]
Federal grant allows for local Nurse-Family Partnership program expansion
A portion of a $1.6 million grant will help Buncombe County’s Department of Health help more first-time, low-income mothers than ever before in its Nurse-Family Partnership program. “Babies don’t come with manuals,” says Jennings Garry, Buncombe County NFP nurse supervisor. “When you’re a new mother with limited resources, it’s difficult to know all the things required to be a successful parent. By growing our team of registered nurses, we can empower more families to make a healthy start.”
Contaminated former CTS site moves closer to condemnation
A recent bid by residents near the contaminated former CTS of Asheville plant on Mills Gap Road to have the property condemned has taken a step forward. A Buncombe County inspection from last week reveals numerous holes in the roof, missing doors and window glass, and related damage that “doesn’t seem feasible to repair.”
Photo courtesy of EPA.
On retainers
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners June 21, 2001 meeting $303 million budget approved Emma Elementary gets sidewalk New rules triggered by the “Great Wall of Reynolds” aim to improve the safety and appearance of large retaining walls. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the rules at their June 21 meeting. The changes had […]
Asheville area unemployment declined in April, among lowest in state
Driven by gains in the leisure and hospitality sector, Asheville metro area unemployment declined in April to 7.7 percent, down from 8.2 percent in March, according to numbers from the state Employment Security Commission. Buncombe County’s unemployment rate declined to 7.3 percent, the fifth-lowest in the state.
The Commish Report: Public hearing for budget set for June 7
At their May 17 session, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard a report from County Manager Wanda Greene on the fiscal year 2011-2012 budget. Green estimates the budget at almost $303 million, a 1.7 percent increase over last fiscal year. No tax increases are in this year’s budget
Buncombe County Commissioners preview: Budget edition
Despite slow growth and state cuts, the Buncombe County budget won’t call for any tax increases. The budget is the top agenda item for commissioners’ Tuesday, May 17, meeting.
Asheville-Buncombe-Henderson Water Agreements: 1995
In 1981, Buncombe County, the city of Asheville and individual water districts in the county came together and created the Asheville/Buncombe Water Authority. In 1995, Henderson County joined in, creating a historic regional group: Here’s the Regional Water Supply and Water Service Agreement adopted by Asheville, Buncombe and Henderson officials in 1995.
Economic “snapshot” of Buncombe: low unemployment, low wages, high cost-of-living
The North Carolina Justice Center has released economic snapshots for the last two years for many of the state’s counties. Buncombe’s reveals lower-than-average unemployment but a tough rental market, below-average wages and high cost-of-living.
Hagan, Burr, Shuler send letter to EPA urging prompt clean-up at CTS site
In a relatively rare moment of bipartisan action today, Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan and Republican Sen. Richard Burr, along with Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler, sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency, urging it to hasten its efforts to clean up the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site.
Mills Gap resident Leigh Ann Smith displays her message regarding the contaminated former CTS of Asheville site. Photo by Katie Damien.
The high school dropout rate is down — don’t stop now!
I was pleased to read about the advances that Buncombe County has made in increasing high-school graduation rates [“Making the Grade,” Feb. 9, Xpress]. Thanks for covering this important story. Most children in our community attend public schools. The success and well-being of our entire community hinge on the quality of our public schools and […]
Pay dismay
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Feb. 15 meeting Three Sheriff’s Office staffers get $12,000 raises Western Highlands Network seeks to expand reach Buncombe leads state in number of adult-care homes After enduring a week of public criticism over their compensation, the Buncombe County commissioners gave themselves a hefty pay cut. On Feb. 15, they unanimously […]
Buncombe County annual human services report
Buncombe County Human Services released its latest annual report on Feb. 7. It highlights the county’s efforts to support “a safe and health community.” “Given this current economic crisis, now more than ever, government officials need to lead with a strategy for how to hold individuals and families whole,” writes Mandy Stone, Department of Social […]
GOP is worried about votes of the living, not the dead
So the Republicans are back in control of the North Carolina General Assembly and immediately they began to speak in code. The most egregious local example was an interview in the Jan.19 Mountain Xpress, "Front Row Seats: A New Start for N.C.'s Grand Old Party.” Former Buncombe Republican chair Bill Keller's first advice to the […]
A-B Tech seeks sales-tax hike
Amid continuing tough economic conditions, A-B Tech is looking to county residents for support. Come November, voters will be asked to approve a sales-tax increase to benefit the local community college. At their Jan. 18 meeting, the Buncombe County commissioners unanimously gave the go-ahead to holding a referendum on a 0.25 percent sales-tax increase to […]
Public comment open on Progress Energy plant permit
The WNC Regional Air Quality Agency (WNCRAQA) announced its intent today to modify the permit for the Asheville Steam Electric Plant, located in Arden. The permit controls how much pollutants the plant can legally put into the air.