WELCOME TO LAND OF SKY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Land of Sky Regional Council's 2023 Annual Report is now available!
NCWorks Asheville
NCWorks Career Center Services are currently available at 339 New Leicester Highway, Suite 140, Asheville, NC 28806 inside the offices of the Land of Sky Regional Council. The NCWorks Mobile Unit will also be on site for the time being to provide assistance as well.
- Customers can also access NCWorks services by calling 1-855-NCWorks (1-855-629-6757).
- For individuals needing assistance with filing an Unemployment Claim or Disaster Related Unemployment Assistance claim 1-888-737-0259.
- For employers needing assistance related to Disaster Unemployment Assistance, the DES Employer Call Center can be reached at 1-866-278-3822.
- NCWorks Career Center Asheville at 53 Asheland Avenue is temporarily closed.
Blue Ridge Community College
Opening to students, staff, faculty and the community on Monday, October 14th.
Racial Disparities in our Region
Racial Disparity in the Land of Sky Region Report 2023
The killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 by law enforcement officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota was inexcusable and offensive to the fundamental promise of America that all people are created equal and endowed by our Creator of certain inalienable rights. While this heinous murder was far away from our home, we acknowledge that our region has significant racial disparities in most every aspect of our society. On average, African American individuals in our region earn lower wages, have less educational attainment, and suffer significant health and criminal justice disparities compared to White individuals. These disparities are unacceptable and are the result of many complex factors including, but not limited to, a history of enslavement and segregation of African Americans in our region.
See the full memo here.
Medicaid Expansion
North Carolina is providing health care coverage to more people through Medicaid. Click here for Questions and Answers.
RECENT NEWS
- The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) has conferred three National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards to Land of Sky Regional Council for the following projects: GO PLACES: Growth Opportunities – Peer Leaders Activating the Community for Employment Success, Healthy Opportunities Pilot Project, WISH Collaborative – WNC Initiative for Supportive Housing. Full Press Release.
- Western NC Business Grant - Land of Sky Regional Council is providing $1,000-$5,000 grants for underserved businesses located in Madison, Buncombe, Yancey, Mitchell,and Avery counties. Funding is intended to be used for capital improvements and/or equipment purchases. Flyers - English - Spanish
- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES - Land of Sky Regional Council is seekin qualified individuals for the position of Business Services Representative, Device Access Project Manager, Digital Education Program Coordinator, Procurement and Accounting Specialist, and Cherokee Indian Hospital Peer Support Specialist. Click here for more information.
- MOUNTAIN AREA COMPREHENSIVE FOUR-YEAR WIOA PLAN 2024 - 2028 In North Carolina, annually, each Local Area WDB, in consultation with the chief local elected official, is to provide updates to the Comprehensive Four-Year Plan. The WIOA Program Year (PY) 2024 Plan is to provide current information and be effective July 1, 2024-June 30, 2028. The Local Area Plan will support the alignment strategy described in the 2024-2028 NC Unified State Plan in accordance with WIOA Section 102(b)(1)(E), and otherwise be consistent with the NC Unified State Plan. Please send comments to Melissa@landofsky.org by April 23, 2024. WIOA Plan 2024-2028
- Land of Sky Regional Council Board of Delegates unanimously passed a resolution at their February 28 meeting to support the extension of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Full Press Release
- Land of Sky Regional Council celebrates Black History Month by recognizing our Executive Committee members Town of Fletcher Mayor Preston Blakely and City of Asheville Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore. We appreciate their leadership and dedicated service on behalf of their local governments, the Council and our region.
- The Western North Carolina (WNC) Passenger Rail Feasibility Study (the study) provides conceptual level capital costs, operating costs, and a range of ridership and revenue associated with a new intercity passenger service connecting Asheville, N.C. with passenger rail services in Salisbury, N.C. The Asheville-to-Salisbury service would operate along the Norfolk Southern (NS) AS-Line for approximately 139 miles.
- Land of Sky Regional Council’s Annual Awards were conferred during the December Board of Delegates Meeting on November 29, 2023. The Robert G. Parrish, Sr. Intergovernmental Relations Award, The Charles H. Campbell Regional Leadership Award and The Robert E. Shepherd Excellence in Local Government Award were presented by the Council. In addition, there were three Extraordinary Public Leadership Awards and twelve Extraordinary Legislative Service Awards conferred this year. Press Release
- Land of Sky Regional Council Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS): Our Region, Our Future - published 10/25/23 on the Development District Association of Appalachia
- CONTACTING LAND OF SKY - We have a new phone system and our extensions have changed. You can reach us by calling 828.251.6622, press 1 and enter the new staff extension. For all general calls, please enter extension 1103. Click here for the new staff extension listing.
ALL NEWS
UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
ALL EVENTS or MEETINGS