Seven focus areas guide the county on housing, jobs, and health. | Photo by @matty.media
Buncombe County Commissioners voted to adopt the 2030 Strategic Plan, outlining priorities for the next five years. The plan was originally set to be adopted this time last year, but was revised in the wake of Helene.
The roadmap has six public-facing focus areas, each including two to three objectives and a list of specific goals. Here are some key goals detailed in the plan:
Growth and Development
Support development of 1,500-1,850 rental units and 400 ownership units for households at <80% area median income.
Economic Development
Increase the percentage of new Economic Development Investment Program projects that offer worker benefits beyond health care (ex. childcare, housing, transit) from 14% to 25%.
Education
Partner with community organizations to increase the percentage of children aged 0-5 in childcare and Pre-K from 27% to 31%.
Community Health
Increase the number of residents connected to needed health resources through a community referral system from 61.1% to 76.1%.
Public Safety
Increase the number of community members trained in risk reduction/preparedness from 3,307 to 20,000.
Energy and Environment
Achieve 100% renewable energy usage for county operations.
Experience the magic at Biltmore Park this holiday season. | Photos provided by Biltmore Park
There are only 49 days until Christmas: count down at Holidays in the Park starting Friday, Nov. 21.
Head to Biltmore Park this holiday season for a series of festive events, twinkling decorations, and (of course) a few special guests from the North Pole:
Santa in the Square + Holiday Market | Saturday, Dec. 6 | Meet Santa, sip hot cocoa, shop trees and wreaths along with other goods from local vendors, and make holiday memories with the whole family.
Several Asheville Parks and Recreation Community Centers are now serving as food donation drop-off sites. Items donated to Tempie Avery Montford, Harvest House, Grove Street, and Stephens-Lee Community Centers will be distributed to local pantries and agencies. Check suggested items and operating hours.
Outdoors
Buncombe County Commissioners approved two park improvement projects. A nearly $449,000 contract with Hoerr Schaudt will begin the rebuild of storm-damaged Owen Park in Swannanoa, while a $3.86 million contract with Astro Turf, LLC, will bring turf, lighting, and accessibility upgrades at Buncombe County Sports Park next year.
Featured
Gourmet Chip Company’s Specialty Custom Trio Gift Box is included on Oprah’s Favorite Things 2025 list. She credits friends Gayle King and Adam Glassman for introducing her to the artisinal potato chip brand. Stop by the Biltmore Avenue cafe for a sandwich served with fresh chips and stock up on Oprah-approved gifts for the holidays.
Civic
2,702. That’s how many residents voted in Buncombe County’s municipal election this year, according to unofficial results. “The Weaverville/Woodfin/Woodfin Water & Sewer District elections are small compared to other elections in Buncombe County and we have seen continued growth in voter turnout,” said Election Services Director Corinne Duncan. See results for each race.
Cause
More than 45,000 pounds of supplies are en route to Jamaica’s Montego Bay airport from local nonprofit Hearts with Hands. The donations will arrive by the end of the week to support recovery from the devastating Hurricane Melissa. (WLOS)
Answered
Been spotting those “Vote Witch” signs across Asheville and wondering what they mean? 828 News Nowcracked the case. The clever marketing scheme promotes a local incense company called Seven Witches Magic. Browse the “magic sticks” currently available.
Score a lucrative signup bonus and up to 5% cash back with this credit card that experts can’t stop raving about. With perks you don’t see every day and a $0 annual fee, it will be a serious upgrade to your wallet. Learn more + apply.*
Shop
If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about?*
Category
Culture
Immerse yourself in Americana history
The album art is mimics the classic OKeh records look. | Photo by AVLtoday
To mark the 100th anniversary of the historic Asheville Sessions — the first commercial recordings capturing the sounds of Appalachian music — AVLFest, Blue Ridge Music Center, and Explore Asheville are throwing a citywide celebration: “The Asheville Sessions: Celebrating 100 Years of Americana & Appalachia.”
The Asheville Sessions heavily influenced the 1927 Bristol Sessions, which are lauded as the “big bang of country music.” To commemorate the event, there are a host of panels and concerts happening this Thursday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 9.
Guajiro’s rebuild at Cotton Mill Studios is coming along, installing a new deck area and pick up window. The studio and Cuban restaurant are making a comeback after sustaining severe damage from Helene.
Shortly after the storm, Guajiro moved its truck to Hi-Wire’s Biltmore Village taproom — and you can still get your fix of comfort food at that location, seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The property next door, once Second Gear, is also coming alive as the new home for Asheville’s Hockey League’s youth team.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
On the hunt for a new job? Don’t sleep on our Jobs Board. Right now there’s listings from Personal Trainer at X-Force Strength to Finance & Operations Coordinator at United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County. Bonus: There’s also plenty of remote gigs.
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