Envision Buncombe Survey Results 

Recovery Lead Rachael Sawyer presented results from the Envision Buncombe survey in the July Community Briefing, a countywide effort to gather input for the Helene Recovery Plan. Conducted through May, the survey engaged over 2,600 participants via our online platform and 28 in-person events across 13 zip codes, including six municipalities and unincorporated areas. 

Top recovery priorities identified by residents include: 

Investing in infrastructure: water, roads, bridges, telecommunications – 74%  
Disaster preparedness and resiliency investments – 55%  
Wildfire prevention – 53%  
Floodplain management – 49%  
Restoring streambanks – 48%  
Rebuilding parks – 47%  

Participants also emphasized the importance of inclusive, climate-resilient recovery, support for vulnerable populations, and economic diversification.  

Read the Helene Recovery Plan presentation here from the June 17 Commissioner's Briefing.

Next Steps

A draft Helene Recovery Plan will be released in September for public comment, with final adoption anticipated in November. Meanwhile, implementation of community-informed projects is already underway. 

 

Envision Buncombe | Building Back
a Better Buncombe

Tapped In | Long Term Recovery

Rachael Sawyer, Long Term Recovery Lead in our Emergency Operations Center, discusses the long-term recovery planning happening around Buncombe County and how you can play a part in the process.

Envision Buncombe Timeline

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April 2024: Commissioners select key priorities based on Community Survey results

Following the budget work session, Commissioners continued building out key priorities for the County’s next five-year strategic plan and reviewed results from the 2024 Community Survey. The new strategic plan will build on refine priorities and goals outlined in the 2025 Strategic Plan. 

Commissioner Strategy Plan survey results 

Presentation / Video 

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May 2024: Staff gathers community input

To help build out the 2030 Strategic Plan, the County worked with staff and community for input throughout May of 2024. 

https://engage.buncombecounty.org/2030strategicplan 

Community members were invited to take part in mobile sessions, 30-minute meetings, and focused one-hour sessions. Input gathered during these opportunities will be provided to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, who will in turn use that input to generate measurable goals.

Events were held in May at the following locations:

• Fairview Library

• Koontz Intermediate School  

• Virtual community meeting

• Big Ivy Community Center

• Sandy Mush Community Center

• Bounty & Soul

• Enka-Candler Library

• Skyland/South Buncombe Library

• YMCA Biltmore Park

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August 2024:

The Board of Commissioners convened for a Strategic Plan work session, taking a deep dive into strategic SMART goals and objectives as they work toward consensus on the 2030 plan for the next five years. These goals are building upon feedback from the community, partner organizations, and the 2025 Strategic Plan.

You can find the strategic plan work session here. 

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Sep. 2024: Virtual Public Feedback Session

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Oct. 2024: Helene pauses work on Strategic Plan

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April 2025: Envision Buncombe Launches

Envision Buncombe seeks to combine feedback efforts for Strategic Plan and Helene Recovery Projects in order to have a clearer picture of community priorities and needs in light of Helene.

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Oct. 2025: Planned 2030 Strategic Plan Adoption

Learn more about Buncombe County Helene Recovery efforts here.

 

Learn more about the NEW Buncombe County Helene Resource Center here.

Helene Resource center brick building with text