At their first meeting of 2014 on Jan. 7, Buncombe County Commissioners unanimously agreed to give $1.12 million in cash grants to Jacob Holm Industries to help it expand local operations. They also agreed to spend $213,726 to hire 17 new county workers at the Health and Human Services Department and approved new zoning regulations governing renewable energy facilities.
At their first meeting of 2014 on Jan. 7, Buncombe County Commissioners will seek public feedback on a plan to give $1.12 million in cash grants to Jacob Holm Industries to help it expand local operations. They’ll also consider hiring 17 new workers at the Health and Human Services Department, as well as new zoning regulations.
It was a historic year for Buncombe County government, as the first Board of Commissioners to be elected by districts took the reins.
Craggy Mountain Line, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving a historic 3-mile stretch of track in North Asheville and Woodfin, does more than transport visitors down the track this holiday season: It gives regional residents a chance to embark on a journey reminiscent of scenes from Christmas classics of the past.
The international debate over climate change came home Dec. 3, as the Buncombe County commissioners butted heads over a proposal to reduce the county’s carbon footprint by 80 percent over time. Now, county staff is trying to figure out how to begin implementing the directive and determine how to measure the progress.
Commissioners voted 6-1 on Dec. 3 to appoint Democratic freshman Ellen Frost to succeed Holly Jones as vice chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, putting her in a symbolic leadership position as she heads into a reelection year.
At their Dec. 3 meeting, the majority of Buncombe County Commissioners endorsed a goal of reducing the county’s carbon footprint by 80 percent. The plan calls for cutting its emissions by 2 percent each year until the final target is met.
The Craggy Mountain Line Railroad —a nonprofit dedicated to preserving a historic 3-mile section of railroad on the Craggy Mountain Line in Buncombe County — will present the second installment of this season’s holiday-themed run on Saturday. Launched on Nov. 30, the holiday event runs every Saturday up until Christmas — Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, and train rides will be offered once per hour from 4-8 p.m.
At a ceremony this evening, outgoing Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy’s portrait joined predecessors on the walls of City Hall. In her final speech, Bellamy touted the city’s low unemployment rate and improved relations with Buncombe County government, thanking many of her colleagues. (photo by Josh Vaughn)
At their Dec. 3 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners will consider a proposed Energy Independence Initiative that would commit the county to achieving an 80 percent reduction in its carbon footprint. Commissioners will also elect a new vice chair to succeed Commissioner Holly Jones, who is finishing up a one-year term in the role.
Earlier this month, Buncombe County officials came together to celebrate the opening of a major new courthouse building in downtown Asheville.
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners voted to spend $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominy area.
On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners will consider spending $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 acres of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominey area.
State, local and company officials met today, Nov. 14, to break ground on GE Aviation’s new 170,000-square-foot Asheville facility, being built next to an existing GE Aviation machining plant in South Asheville.
In a rather out-of-the-ordinary Nov. 5 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting, members of the board voted and came to unanimous decisions on matters of transportation, rezoning and a resolution for the Smoky Mountain LME board of representatives.
At the Nov. 5 Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board will tackle a rezoning, grants for the Mountain Mobility transportation program, and changing the rules for a local mental health authority.
The newly formed Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority met for the first time Oct. 29, drafting an ambitious list of goals for the months ahead. The board is charged with governing a powerful new agency that will manage the county’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities.
On Oct. 15, Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger became the first in the South to accept same-sex marriage licenses, setting off a torrent of media attention and online commentary.
At their Oct. 15 meeting, Buncombe Commissioners approved $84,000 in economic incentives for Plasticard-Lockteck International. The deal’s been in the works since last spring, when county officials promised the incentive grants to the company if it expanded operations at its Arden headquarters.
At their Oct. 15 meeting, Buncombe Commissioners are set to approve $84,000 in economic incentives for Plasticard-Lockteck International. The deal’s been in the works since last spring, when county officials promised the incentive grants to the company if it expanded operations at its Arden headquarters.
Following contentious Oct. 1 deliberations over who will head a powerful new government entity that will manage Buncombe County’s libraries, parks and recreation facilities, Commissioner Holly Jones expressed “deep concerns about the absence of a District 1 taxpayer voice at the table.”
