Western
Senate bill would strip money from rural economic development groups
May 14, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
A bill in the state Senate would eliminate money from four rural economic-development groups -- located in Asheville, Edenton, Elizabethtown and Kinston -- and transfer business recruitment functions to the Department of Commerce.
MedWest Health may seek partner for merger
May 21, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
MedWest Health System, which consists of three rural hospitals in Western North Carolina, may begin entertaining merger offers from a larger system as it seeks to stabilize its finances.
Transfer of Asheville water system on hold
May 21, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
A judge extended a temporary restraining order halting the transfer of Asheville's water system to a regional authority until a permanent solution is decided.
Maggie Valley amusement park set for relaunch
May 16, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
Maggie Valley amusement park Ghost Town in the Sky will relaunch Memorial Day weekend, with attractions such as children rides and chairlifts. A Maggie Valley businesswoman bought the failed attraction last year for $2 million.
Manufacturer weighs expanding in Fletcher industrial park
May 15, 2013
(The Times-News, Hendersonville)
Henderson County commissioners are considering giving manufacturer BorgWarner $585,504 in incentives in exchange for a $24 million expansion that would bring 80 jobs.
Whitewater park proposed for Dillsboro
May 15, 2013
(The Sylva Herald)
A former kayacking champion is encouraging Dillsboro officials to develop the former dam area of the Tuckaseigee River into a whitewater park.
Regulators close Asheville bank
May 13, 2013
(Winston-Salem Journal)
Federal regulators closed Asheville-based Pisgah Community Bank, and Maryland-based Capitol Bank will assume most of its $21.9 million of assets and its $21.2 million of deposits.
WNC economy grows slowly in first quarter
May 13, 2013
(The Watauga Democrat)
Western North Carolina's economy grew just 0.4% in the first quarter as the unemployment rate improved but job creation slowed.
Asheville mall to be converted to outlet center
May 13, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Asheville's Biltmore Square Mall will be converted into a 325,000-square-foot outlet center by 2014 with the help of a Massachusetts developer.
Asheville officials push I-26 connector
May 10, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Asheville officials hope Gov. Pat McCrory's proposed transportation plan will help complete an Interstate 26 connector that would ease traffic congestion.
Boone developer withdraws plan for mixed-use community
May 9, 2013
(The Watauga Democrat)
Boone developer Templeton Properties will withdraw its $18.9 million offer to purchase the former Watauga High School property for a mixed-use development because of changes to the city's multi-family housing regulations.
Commissioners add hospital board member ahead of controversial vote
May 9, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
Haywood County commissioners added an 11th member to the Haywood Regional Medical Center's board, a move that is expected to avoid a tie as it weighs remaining in the MedWest health system.
Buncombe works to recruit unnamed manufacturer
May 8, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Buncombe County officials are working to recruit an unnamed manufacturer that would invest $126 million and create at least 52 jobs. The county would spend $15.7 million on land and buildings and pay $2.7 million in incentives.
Asheville, South Carolina banks merging
May 7, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Asheville-based HomeTrust Bancshares will acquire South Carolina-based BankGreenville, taking over its $110 million in assets. It's the bank's first acquisition since going public last year.
Judge approves work at defunct Seven Falls development
May 7, 2013
(The Times-News, Hendersonville)
A Superior Court judge approved emergency maintenance at the defunct Seven Falls community in Etowah by Henderson County using bond proceeds. The work includes grading and seeding eroded areas with grass.
Home sales surge in Western North Carolina
May 6, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
Home sales in Western North Carolina have begun to rebound this spring, rising 21% in the first quarter in Asheville compared to the year before.
Penrose residents oppose biomass plant
May 6, 2013
(The Times-News, Hendersonville)
A proposed biomass plant in Transylvania County has drawn scrutiny from a group called People for Clean Mountains who want county commissioners to impose an 18-month moratorium on "polluting industries." So far, 400 people have signed a petition.
Bill to transfer Asheville water system goes to McCrory
May 2, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
A bill that would transfer control of Asheville's water system from city control to a regional water and sewer authority was approved by the state House and will now go to Gov. Pat McCrory for his signature.
Asheville's employment growth leads state
May 2, 2013
(Asheville Citizen-Times)
The Asheville metro led the state in job growth in March, growing 3.6%, more than double the historic rate. The tourism industry was the main factor behind the improvement.
Bill to raise Haywood County lodging tax stalled in committee
May 2, 2013
(Smoky Mountain News)
A bill that would raise Haywood County's lodging tax from 4% to 6% is stalled in a Senate committee as a senator from Franklin says he wants unanimity from local leaders before helping it gain passage. Two Maggie Valley aldermen oppose the increase.
