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Calling all Asheville homebuilders: Share your input on sustainability rebates

The City of Asheville is reevaluating its Sustainability Rebate Program and wants to hear directly from local home builders. The program currently provides rebates on permit fees for new or renovated one and two family dwellings built under the North Carolina Residential Code that include above-minimum state code elements like solar panels, energy efficiency upgrades, [...]

professional headshot of Paul ballard

Transition in Asheville’s Transportation Department

Paul Ballard will be joining the organization as the new Interim Transportation Director effective, Monday April 29.  Jessica Morris will continue to serve as the Assistant Director of Transportation. Ballard is a nationally recognized transportation executive who led transit systems in Fort Worth, Nashville, and St. Louis, among others, prior to his retirement in 2019.  He [...]

Park Views: Montford Park

This entry is part of Park Views, a weekly Asheville Parks & Recreation series that explores the history of the city’s public parks and community centers – and the mountain spirit that helped make them the unique spaces they are today. Read more from the series and follow APR on

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Recent statistics show a year on year reduction in property and violent crimes

At the most recent Environment and Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, Asheville Police Department (APD) Chief Lamb and Captain Aardema updated committee members on city-wide crime statistics for the first quarter compared to the same quarter in 2023.    Good News in Crime Reduction The comparisons are positive according to APD data.  Statistics show an [...]

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The City of Asheville allocates over $4.8 million to affordable housing projects via the Housing Trust Fund

The City of Asheville Housing Trust Fund (HTF) exists to support the development and preservation of affordable housing within the city. The HTF provides financial assistance in the form of loans to developers and nonprofit organizations to help create and preserve affordable housing units. On April 23, City Council reviewed 2024-25 HTF proposals [...]

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City of Asheville approves fourth round of Strategic Partnership Grant awards

Award Announcement Asheville City Council approved last night, as part of Council’s agenda, the fourth round of Strategic Partnership Grant (SPG) Program awards and authorized the City Manager to execute grant agreements.  Using Strategic Partnership funding, the City has awarded $237,000 in grants to five different non-profit organizations to help address the opportunity gap for low to [...]

Bottled water vs. tap water? In Asheville, the answer is easy.

In recent years, many cities have been in the news when water from their distribution systems did not meet national safe drinking water standards. It’s easy to understand why more and more residents are feeling concerned about their water. Some are choosing bottled water over tap, because they think it’s a safer alternative. However, take [...]