Local fire departments face critical volunteer shortage

Volunteer firefighters were once the backbone of fire departments in communities throughout Western North Carolina. But officials are finding it increasingly difficult to get people to sign up for an unpaid job with an erratic schedule and hundreds of hours of required training. What steps are departments taking to fill this critical need?

WTF: Land use incentive grants

Hilliard microhousing render

Better known as LUIG, the initiative aims to entice developers to include affordable units in their projects by offering property tax rebates. Asheville City Council is next slated to consider such a grant Tuesday, July 26, for a 186-unit development on Long Shoals Road.

logo-round-purple

User Login