WELCOME TO LAND OF SKY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Land of Sky Regional Council's 2023 Annual Report is now available!

Helene Resources

Click here for an extensive list of Hurricane Helene Reources.

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

Mountain Area Workforce Development Board recognizes outstanding employers, adult, youth and workforce staff at 2024 Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, December 12 at the Virginia Boone Building, WNC Agricultural Center, Fletcher, NC. Full Press Release

Land of Sky Regional Council’s Annual Awards were conferred during the Board of Delegates Meeting on December 4, 2024. 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 fourteen Extraordinary Public Service Awards and two Land of Sky Hero Awards conferred this year. Full Press Release

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 Regional Planner I or II - Water Resources, Regional Planner Housing II or III, Regional Project Manager - Economic Development, TDM Coordinator, Transportation Administrative and Finance Specialist, Procurement and Accounting Specialist, and Cherokee Indian Hospital Peer Support Specialist. Click here for more information.

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.

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.