Buncombe County awarded grant for sidewalks in Swannanoa

State program allocates $979,000 to repair and extend infrastructure

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
December 12, 2025

Buncombe County will receive $979,000 through the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division to fund sidewalk repairs and improvements in Swannanoa. The project will address damaged infrastructure in Beacon Village, while extending existing sidewalks through the commercial district. Photo by Fred McCormick

Nearly $1 million from the N.C. Department of Commerce will support sidewalk repairs in Swannanoa, Buncombe County announced, Dec. 8.

Administered by the department’s Rural Economic Development Division, the grant will also allow for the extension of sidewalks along Whitson Avenue, through the Beacon Village commercial district.

"We're looking forward to working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on the management and construction of this project," Intergovernmental Affairs Economic Development Analyst E.B. Odderstol said, in the county’s press release announcing the grant. "Improving Swannanoa’s sidewalk infrastructure will substantially contribute to the area’s recovery, revitalizing the economy and investing in the community’s future." 

The small business infrastructure grant program is part of a $55 million initiative established by Governor Josh Stein, in partnership with the General Assembly, to support long-term recovery across Western N.C. The program provides grants of up to $1 million per project to local governments to rebuild damaged public infrastructure such as water, sewer, gas, telecommunications, sidewalks and stormwater systems that are essential to the daily operations of small businesses. 

The announcement is a “big deal for our families, visitors and small businesses, according to Daniel Lancaster, who established Short Sleeves Coffee in Beacon Village last May.

"Beacon Village is Swannanoa's downtown, and as we rebuild, we're seeing more and more folks coming to take advantage of what makes our part of the valley so special,” he said. “We all know we need more sidewalks in Swannanoa to keep people safe, and this project moves us in the right direction. As a business owner, this is very exciting, and as a dad with little ones, it's even bigger news."

The $979,000 grant, which will be accepted at a future county commissioners meeting, is one of several awarded to area municipalities through the small business program.

The Town of Black Mountain received $1 million to support the replacement of more than 700 feet of stormwater pipe along Sutton Avenue, in an effort to reduce flood risk and improve community resilience and economic vitality.