Workforce Success Story
When Lexie Powell graduated from Murphy High School in May 2017, she knew she wanted to enter the medical field, but she did not yet know in which area she…
Welcome to the Southwestern Commission
Your regional council of government. We serve as a technical, economic, and planning resource to local towns and counties in our western region.
Officially known as the Southwestern North Carolina Planning and Economic Development Commission, we cover the counties of Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain, the 17 municipalities therein, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Southwestern North Carolina continues to change rapidly, and as the population increases, so does demand on local government to provide the needed services and infrastructure. The Southwestern Commission remains on the leading edge of this growth, providing expertise in land use planning, economic and workforce development, and elderly services. Our work, and your love of this region, ensure that regional growth occurs in a healthy and sustainable manner that benefits us all.
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News and Updates
Several Partners Work Together to Improve Broadband Access
RALEIGH: The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Department of Information Technology have partnered with nine library systems and four municipalities to improve internet…
Share Your Thoughts!
Please take a quick survey to share your thoughts on Macon County’s future transportation system. The survey will close on July 15, 2019. Developed by The North Carolina Department of Transportation,…
Request for Proposals
The Southwestern Commission seeks the professional services of a qualified consultant to conduct a Wireless Propagation Study for the seven western counties of North Carolina. The purpose of this project…
Appalachian Leadership Institute
Applications are now being accepted for the Appalachian Leadership Institute, which is a new leadership and economic development training opportunity for community leaders who currently live and/or work in Appalachia. …
Rural Center’s “Homegrown Leaders” Program Coming to Cullowhee
Homegrown Leaders is a regional leadership and economic development training that develops and supports highly-skilled, highly-motivated leaders who are committed to building regional collaboration across multi-county regions in the state. Homegrown Leaders…