Envision Buncombe: A Path Forward
Envision Buncombe: A Path Forward
The Plans
In September 2024, Tropical Storm Helene caused devastating flooding, landslides, and damage across Buncombe County. In response, the County and its six municipal partners have developed the Helene Recovery Plan, a roadmap of 114 projects designed to rebuild housing, repair infrastructure, restore natural resources, strengthen disaster preparedness, and support long-term community resilience. Municipalities represented include the City of Asheville, Town of Biltmore Forest, Town of Black Mountain, Town of Montreat, Town of Weaverville, and Town of Woodfin.
Additionally, this survey offers a final opportunity to provide feedback on the 2030 Buncombe County Strategic Plan. This plan was nearly done before Helene. The Strategic Plan is a five-year roadmap that guides the County’s work and priorities. Grounded in our mission and values, the plan sets out goals and objectives across key focus areas, including Growth and Development, Community Health, Education, Energy and Environment, and Public Safety.
These plans were built on extensive community engagement, including the Envision Buncombe process in spring 2025. More than 2,600 residents shared their priorities, which shaped the projects and strategies now included in the draft plans. We are now asking for your feedback to ensure the plans reflect the needs and values of all community members before they are finalized.
Top Community Priorities Identified in Envision Buncombe
- Investing in infrastructure: water, roads, bridges, telecommunications
- Disaster preparedness and resiliency investments
- Wildfire prevention
- Floodplain management
- Restoring streambanks
- Rebuilding parks
- Preserving flood-prone property from development
- Landslide stabilization
- Building more affordable housing
- Promoting food security in vulnerable areas
Your Voice Matters
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below. Your input will help Buncombe County and its partners prioritize projects, pursue funding, finalize ojectives, and build a stronger, safer, and more resilient community for the future. The survey will be open until Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
Navigating the Page
Each local government has their Helene Recovery Plan projects listed under their tab. Feel free to view all projects in the plan, or just review the ones that affect your local government. At the bottom of each project list there are opportunities to share your thoughts with the Envision Buncombe team. This survey also includes a final opportunity for Buncombe County residents to share their feedback on the Strategic Plan under the Goals and Objectives tab.
Next Steps
Following the close of this survey on Oct. 3, staff will review the feedback data and bring the final draft of the Strategic Plan to the Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Oct. 21 with potential adoption on Nov. 4. The Helene Recovery Plan feedback will be compiled and shared with municipal partners. A final draft will appear in front of Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 4. with potential plan adoption slated for Nov. 18.