This installment of WTF explains what regional councils are and what they do by exploring the impact of Western North Carolina’s Land of Sky Regional Council on the area.
Tag: Nathan Ramsey
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WTF: Opportunity zones
Opportunity zones offer tax breaks to investors who put money to work in areas designated as economically depressed — including parts of every Western North Carolina county. The latest edition of Xpress’ WTF feature takes a deeper look into the significance and consequences of the program.
Working families struggle to find affordable child care
Even in the best of times, working parents must strive every day to balance family and professional responsibilities. But the COVID-19 pandemic has made that already difficult situation much, much harder — and women workers have borne the brunt of it. As the pandemic closes out its second year, many working parents feel “a pretty […]
WNC reacts to new living wage rate
Just Economics of Western North Carolina updated its hourly living wage for all Buncombe County employees to $17.70 in January, a 40-cent increase over the 2021 living wage for employees without employer-provided health insurance — and a $1.90 hourly raise for those with insurance.
WNC has more job openings than unemployed workers. Why?
As of December 2020, there were 21,391 unique job postings in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania counties. But many of the available jobs require higher levels of education or training than those currently unemployed possess.
State economic leaders tout diversification for WNC recovery
To position the WNC for future growth, the region must look to emerging markets, customer bases and supply chains, state economic development leaders shared during a round table discussion with local business owners.
From CPP: High places brought low: Pandemic shakes up NC economic tiers used for government aid
Collapse of tourism and leisure economies devastating to Buncombe, Brunswick and New Hanover counties.
Council to set Fletcher annexation groundwork at Feb. 25 meeting
If Asheville City Council approves the annexation agreement, Fletcher officials will promise not to claim a 2-acre piece of unincorporated Buncombe County for 20 years, clearing the way for Asheville’s newest addition. The property’s current owner is seeking voluntary annexation by the city.
Former Commissioner Bill Stanley linked to Buncombe corruption
Speaking at a Dec. 17 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, attorney Ron Payne said that Stanley had been accused in a sworn deposition by former Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton of improperly accepting unspecified “things of value” from former county contractor Joseph Wiseman Jr.
Former Rep. Ramsey lands state job
Former state Rep. Nathan Ramsey has landed a job with the N.C. Department of Commerce nine months after his defeat in a bid for re-election.
A deeper dive into the Democratic blue: Analysis of Buncombe Commission, NC House elections
Despite rightward-streaming state and federal political currents, Buncombe County stood out on election night as a small sea of Democratic blue. In several important local races, Democratic candidates toppled Republican incumbents or maintained their positions of power. Here’s a look at some of those key local races, with an analysis of what happened and the consequences going forward.
2014 election results: Buncombe goes blue
Buncombe County Democrats had a big night, winning several key local races by razor thin margins. (Photo by Pat Barcas)
2014 candidate endorsement roundup
Endorsements can be a handy tool showing which groups and individuals have publicly thrown their support behind a particular office-seeker. In this post we’ve compiled what was provided by some of the Buncombe County candidates and collected by Xpress.
Battle of the Fairview farmers: Ramsey and Ager debate
Republican N.C. House Rep. Nathan Ramsey and Democratic challenger John Ager have a lot in common. They’ve both been longtime residents of Fairview, where they own and operate neighboring farms. But when it comes to the issues facing the N.C. House, they shared opposing viewpoints at an Oct. 9 forum at the Dr. Wesley Grant […]
Statehouse candidates debate: Ramsey vs. Ager
There wasn’t much tension between Nathan Ramsey and John Ager at the Council of Independent Business Owners’s early-morning debate, Friday, Aug. 29 perhaps because of a personal history. “John’s my neighbor,” said Ramsey. “I’ve known John since I was probably about two years old.” Not only are the two candidates personal acquaintances, both grew up in the […]
Buncombe Statehouse candidates to debate Aug. 29; Tillis to speak
This Friday, Aug. 29, promises to be an intense day in local politics, as all four Buncombe County Statehouse candidates debate and U.S. Senate candidate Thoms Tillis speaks at a breakfast event.
Moffitt earns high rank from state business group
Buncombe County Rep. Tim Moffitt has been ranked the second most business friendly legislator in the state by the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation.
American Civil Liberties Union of NC flunks Ramsey, Moffitt; Fisher earns perfect score
The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina released its annual legislative report card Sept. 5, giving Buncombe County’s delegation vastly different scores.
Supporters rally in Asheville for redistricting reform
With state legislators opting not to vote on redistricting reform this year, local bipartisan supporters rallied in downtown Asheville Aug. 1 to start campaigning on behalf of passing the measure in 2014.
Bill to honor Mary Nesbitt and rename MAHEC campus becomes law
A bill that would both rename the Biltmore campus of the Mountain Area Education Center and honor former state representative and lifelong Asheville resident, Mary Nesbitt, was signed into law yesterday by Gov. Pat McCrory. (Photo of the bill signing courtesy of Sen. Martin Nesbitt’s Facebook page)
Carrot and stick: In emails, legislators and Council wrangle over water lawsuit, district city elect
Behind-the-scenes negotiations over a lawsuit, a push from Raleigh to force district-based elections for Asheville, and the fate of a parks-and-recreation bill that could save city government millions — all this and more are revealed in emails between Council members, city staff and North Carolina legislators. Recently obtained by Xpress, the documents show a candid […]