The EDC question: Comparing and contrasting various models, as Jackson looks toward the future
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
If there’s one thing economic development officials agree on, it’s that there’s no one right way to do it.
A brief history of a complicated situation
By Sarah Kucharski
In January 2005, Jackson County Commissioners called in more than $1.2 million in loans issued to six local industries, suspended participation in the Economic Development Commission and launched an investigation of the commission’s financial records.
Jackson commissioners take control of airport authority appointments
Jackson County Commissioners last week strategically deferred making a decision about who would become the newest member of the Jackson County Airport Authority, in effect throwing out the list of names authority members submitted for approval.
Land for Tomorrow wins Jackson support
Jackson County Commissioners passed a resolution Monday night (Dec. 18) encouraging the state General Assembly to provide funding for the Land for Tomorrow program in 2007.
Jackson County mulls EDC participation
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Two years have passed since the Jackson County Commissioners suspended their participation with the local Economic Development Commission, launched an internal investigation and audit of the EDC and EDC office and attempted to remove Tom McClure — the EDC Chairman, chairman of the county’s revolving loan committee and Chairman of the Jackson Airport Authority — from all county committees and appointments.
Biodiesel station opens in Cullowhee
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
The delivery of 3,000 gallons of B-20 biodiesel manufactured by Smoky Mountain Biofuels made Hop’s Gas and Grocery on Old Cullowhee Road the first station to offer a public biodiesel pump west of Asheville last week.
A long paper trail
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
Jackson Paper Engineer Chas Mathis strides confidently through the company’s used cardboard warehouse, up a steep metal grate, and up to the pulper. The machine churns like a giant blender as loads of cardboard boxes slowly move up the conveyor belt, and upon reaching its end drop down into the murky tank with a splash.
Group gathers to discuss growth in Jackson
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
About 80 area residents gathered at the Jackson County Recreation Center Thursday night to learn more about the county’s new land development plan and discuss the future of growth.
Quarry opponents urge state to deny permit
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
About 200 concerned citizens packed into a Jackson County courtroom to show their opposition to a proposed rock quarry to be located in the Tuckasegee community.
State mining specialists from the N.C. Department of Natural Resources heard from 25 speakers at the hearing, each one detailing their reasons for wanting the state to deny the rock quarry its application for an operating permit.
Quarry opponents speak out at public hearing
By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer
About two hundred concerned citizens packed into a Jackson County courtroom Tuesday night to show their opposition to a proposed rock quarry to be located in the Tuckasegee community.