Bob and I have spent much of this week visiting small Western North Carolina towns in Buncombe, Madison, Yancey and Mitchell counties. We visited small businesses, restaurants and county courthouses while talking to local officials and regular people about their concerns and what they believe my priorities should be for state government.
We’ve met hundreds of people and seen dozens of sights in the last few days, but a few in particular stick out.
We stopped to view the construction of Highway 19E – a collaborative project between DOT and DENR to create a green highway that is now in the application process to become a scenic byway. The locals were excited about the project because it will be the first four lane highway to Yancey County and that means more business, tourism and ultimately jobs for the folks here.
I remember Mr. Candler in Mars Hill. His ‘‘knowledge college’’ was a great place for the old-timers to hang out and swap stories about the good ole days and he was proud to show me his wedding photo from 53 years ago.
Finally, I was very excited about visiting EnergyXchange in Burnsville. EnergyXchange has created a viable industry out of capturing methane gas from an old landfill. They have turned the energy into fuel for a studio for glass artists and they grow food in their greenhouse. The ability to use alternative energy and convert it into a sustainable business is a model for the nation. I’m proud they call North Carolina home.
Bob and I are going to more Western North Carolina towns later this week and I’ll have plenty more stories to share.