On Friday, October 25, from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM, we will be hosting a Regional Broadband Summit for stakeholders across the region. Please join us to hear from our regional and state partners who are working toward improving broadband access in the seven western counties of NC. Experts in the field will be on hand to … Read more
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since partners from around the region gathered for the “Bridging the Gap: Housing and Economic Development Summit”. One of the main goals for that day was to explore ways that local governments can partner with the private sector to help address the region’s housing issue, so … Read more
Southwestern Commission’s Executive Director, Sarah Thompson, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Dogwood Health Trust. Dogwood Health Trust is a private non-operating foundation with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and well-being of all people and communities of Western North Carolina. It was established to receive the … Read more
Four members of the Southwestern Commission Staff (Kellie Dula, Laura Grindstaff, Linda Lamp, and Sarajane Melton) graduated from the Homegrown Leaders program, a regional leadership and economic development program that develops and supports highly-motivated leaders who are committed to building regional collaboration across multi-county regions in the state. Homegrown Le aders is a program of the Rural Center … Read more
The Town of Andrews will be installing sewer infrastructure from Junaluska Road along Pisgah and Minnow Farms Roads during a period beginning around July 2019. As a part of this project, they have released a Request for Interest for internet service providers to indicate their potential interest in broadband infrastructure placement during construction. The full … Read more
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 wanted to work. Lexie attended orientation at Tri-County Community College, and during that time, she discovered the Medical Assistant program. The program seemed to be … Read more
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 access in rural communities. The library systems collectively serve 14 Tier 1 counties in the state. The agencies partnered through the Hometown Strong initiative created … Read more
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, Macon County, and the Southwestern Rural Planning Organization. For questions, contact Rose Bauguess at 828-586-1962 x 213 or rose@regiona.org. Click HERE to take this survey.
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 is to identify existing broadband infrastructure assets throughout the region that could be used to locate transmitters that would extend wireless service into the region … Read more
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. This is an extensive nine-month program (October – July), and it includes skill-building seminars, best practice reviews, and field visits during six separate sessions across … Read more