Regular Meeting of The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners | August 18, 2026

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a regular meeting on August 18, 2026, which included several procurement and budget-related discussions. Key procurement actions included approval of an economic development agreement with Southeastern Container involving a $31 million facility expansion and a total incentive package of $185,000, including a $100,000 state grant. The board also approved a design services contract for an indoor recreation center, initiating a multi-year capital improvement project with a detailed design and construction timeline. Additionally, the board discussed and supported a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) application for infrastructure projects addressing disaster recovery and resilience, including parks restoration, housing infrastructure, and critical facility power upgrades. The meeting also featured a resolution supporting "Lenny's Law," aimed at improving bicycle safety through designated safety zones and enhanced penalties. The board approved a zoning map amendment for a property rezoning from commercial to residential, consistent with the county's comprehensive plan. Finally, the board approved a letter of support for a new 92-bed acute care hospital proposed by UNCC Health. Several committee appointments and strategic partnership grant updates were also discussed, with plans to continue recruitment and interviews in September.