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WELCOME TO LAND OF SKY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Land of Sky Regional Council's 2022 Annual Report is now available!

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.

CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 - Resources and Updates

Land of Sky Regional Council's office will be closed to the public beginning Friday, March 20, 2020 until further notice to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) guidance regarding COVID-19 mitigation. Click here for more information.

RECENT NEWS

  • 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 is seekin qualified individuals for the position of Van Pool Transit Driver. Click here for more information. 

  • 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

  • Land of Sky Regional Council Receives $952,963 from Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative - See full Press Release here.

  • Dr. Michael McKinney, UT Professor and Director of Environmental Studies, was awarded the inaugural George Masa Environmental Stewardship Award at the East Tennessee Development District's Annual District Celebration. See full Press Release here. 

  • An Inaugural Educational and Workforce Symposium in the Land of Sky Region -  Wednesday, November 8, 2023. The A3 Event (Align, Aspire, Achieve) will focus on our region’s innovative practices for educational attainment, and was planned by six local organizations alongside two statewide organizations. See the full Press Release here.

  • Discover the possibilities for a new future. Tap into free education, training and career opportunities. A unique funding opportunity to aid dislocated workers on this journey is now available thanks to a $7.5 million National Dislocated Worker Grant managed by the Southwestern Commission and Land of Sky Regional Council for an 11-county area of Western North Carolina. National Dislocated Worker Grant Of WNC

  • On Thursday, September 21st 2023 at 9:00 am Sara Nichols, Senior Planner with Land of Sky Regional Council, will testify before the US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, Communication and Technology Subcommittee hearing on “Connecting Every American: The Future of Rural Broadband Funding”. To learn more about this hearing visit Communications and Technology Subcommittee Hearing: "Connecting Every American: The Future of Rural Broadband Funding" (house.gov) • 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: INspire: Recovery to Career, Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Evidence Based Health Promotion Programs, and Regional Stormwater Services Program – MS4 Information Management System. See the full Press Release here. 

  • The NC Climate Action Corps (a partnership between VolunteerNC, Conservation Trust for NC, Conserving Carolina, and Conservation Corps NC) is now recruiting for open Resilience Project Coordinators and Community Stewardship Coordinators! The AmeriCorps programs Project Conserve (Hendersonville) and Resilience Corps NC (Raleigh) are overseeing placements across North Carolina in support of local nonprofits, cities, and council of governments as they address climate resilience needs in their communities. In our region, LOSRC, City of Asheville and RiverLink are all host sites. https://americorps.hiringthing.com/ 

  • Evergreen Closure Resources

  • The Buncombe County Justice Services and the Asheville-based National Institute for Racial Equity will host “CIVILITY,” a two-day training bringing together law enforcement and community leaders. This pilot program, endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, teaches self-regulation techniques, cross-cultural communication skills, and addresses officers’ responsibilities under the Law Enforcement Duty to Intervene legislation passed in 2021. 

  • The Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition is tracking the use of alternative fuels in the region. Click here to add information on how your fleet contributes to cleaner air through the use of propane, compressed natural gas, biodiesel, hybrids, and electric vehicles.

  • More good news for our region - Pratt & Whitney production facility to bring $650 million, 800 jobs to Buncombe County

  • WNC without internet access - We want to know where you are able to still connect now that so many places are closed. We have developed a WiFi Lot Map that will help more folks find locations to do homework, business, and healthcare. If you have a facility that could offer this service we'd love to help with that too.

  • 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

Meeting / Event Date Time
Workforce Board Meeting    
LOSRC Board Meeting October 25, 2023 12:30 - 2:00 pm

LOS Regional MapALL EVENTS or MEETINGS