NOTICE OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX LISTING PERIOD
Property Tax Listing forms must be completed and returned by
5 p.m. on January 31, 2024 to avoid late listing penalty.

Notice is hereby given, that all persons who own personal or business property subject to taxation in Buncombe County on January 1, 2024, must list such property no later than January 31, 2024. Any person who fails to do so will be subject to penalties prescribed by law. Per North Carolina General Statute 105-296(c), the regular listing period is January 1 through January 31. If the regular listing period begins or ends on a day other than a business day, the period for such filing shall be extended through the next business day.

The listing period for 2024 will begin Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and end Friday, January 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. Listing forms will be mailed in December 2023 to persons or businesses who have requested a listing form or filed a listing last year. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/propertyassessment or contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4920.

Real Property

*All persons who own real estate must list any new additions, changes, or deletions that have been made since January 1, 2023. Please contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4940.

*According to the North Carolina General Statutes, all property that is not defined or taxed as “real estate” or “real property” is considered to be “personal property.”

Personal Property

*All persons who own personal property such as un-tagged motor vehicles, permanently tagged trailers, manufactured homes, boats and boat motors, airplanes, rental personal property or farm machinery used for income purposes, must file a listing form annually. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/personallistingform.

Business Personal Property

*Business personal property is taxable whether it is owned, leased, rented, loaned, or otherwise made available to the business.

*All businesses are required to file a business personal property listing form annually during the listing period stated above, which includes: machinery and equipment; furniture and fixtures; computers; improvements to leased property; manufactured homes; aircraft; international registration plan (IRP) plated vehicles, supplies, etc. used in connection with the business. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/businesslistingform. This also includes all furnishings within a dwelling that is used as a long- or short-term rental. Download a Rental Listing form at buncombecounty.org/rentallistingform.

Extensions

*Listing extensions may be granted on request and for good cause shown.  Extensions must be requested no later than January 31, 2024. Request an extension at businessextensions.buncombecounty.org. If you are a new businesses that has not listed before, email [email protected] to request an extension prior to January 31, 2024.

*Extensions cannot be granted beyond March 15, 2024. If you are a new business for 2024, and have not filed a previous listing form, please contact our office for information at (828) 250-4930.

Tax Relief

*Property tax relief may be available for Veterans, anyone 65 and older, or anyone permanently disabled under NCGS 105-277.1. Call (828) 250-4915 to see if you qualify or download an application at buncombecounty.org/taxrelief.

Reminder: Listing forms will be accepted January 2-31, 2024. Property Assessment is located at 155 Hilliard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, and is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. except for holidays. Call (828) 250-4920 for more information. Instructions and forms are available at: buncombecounty.org/propertyassessment.

The County of Buncombe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment, in its services, programs, and activities, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.

Explore the Rich Heritage of Black Communities in Asheville

The Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail leads visitors through three areas of Asheville: Downtown, Southside, and the River Area. The entire trail takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to walk and read.

Reflecting on Community Resolve

Did you know that Black people helped create this region’s first non-Indigenous households? Did you know that Black people helped build Asheville and connected Asheville globally? Black entrepreneurs created thriving business districts. Black families cultivated close-knit neighborhoods. Black people from all backgrounds built resilient communities and fostered social change.

Immerse yourself in the history and heroism of Black Ashevillians by walking the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. Deepen your understanding with articles, videos, and more resources available here on the trail’s website.

Follow the Trail

Experience this trail in pieces as you explore Asheville or start at one of our three introduction kiosks to learn more about how Black people in Asheville negotiated landscapes of unequal power to build resilient communities and foster social change.

The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (C.A.Y.L.A) program is designed for sophomores and juniors who are interested in career exploration, leadership development, and gaining 21st-century job skills to prepare them for their future. C.A.Y.L.A provides young people with an excellent opportunity to work and grow in Asheville while also acquiring valuable work experience that will advance their future careers.

Program Benefits

The program takes place over the summer months, during which the students will become paid interns based on their career interests. Students will have the opportunity to get first-hand experience in their career of choice, network, and build skills and relationships that will aid them as they get ready to begin their college life. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a $2,000 scholarship to go towards their college education.

Apply Today!

The application period will remain open until January 15, 2024. If you know someone who might be interested in this incredible internship opportunity provided by C.A.Y.L.A, please encourage them to apply.

For questions about the C.A.Y.L.A. program, please contact Promise Boseman at:  [email protected] 

Tell us – How are we doing as your City government? The City of Asheville is working with Polco/National Research Center to find out.

The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on local governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety, and mobility.

Some residents were randomly selected to participate in the scientifically significant survey in December and were notified by mail. If you were notified by mail, please do not complete the online survey as well.

The survey is now open to all residents at the following links:

English: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23ENG

Spanish: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23SPAN

Russian: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23RUSS

The survey will be open through January 22. The survey will take about 18 minutes to complete.

When this survey closes, results will be presented online in interactive charts and tables. Asheville’s last resident survey was conducted in 2021. You can find the results here as well as results from 2018, 2015 and 2008.

What will the City do with the results? The National Community Survey will compare and analyze the results from previous years and provide the metrics comparison. As the city enters budget planning season for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the results will help guide the City’s operational planning and help to determine project prioritization and resource allocation.

Green Drinks lives on every Saturday as The Free & Open University of Eco-Sustainability on Facebook

The Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency is encouraging residents to get their homes tested for Radon during National Radon Action Month.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible, odorless, and tasteless.  Radon is released harmlessly from the ground into outdoor air, but it can accumulate and reach harmful levels when trapped in homes and buildings.

Testing is the only way to know if a home has an elevated level of radon. EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend taking action to fix your home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or more. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs.  Taking action to reduce your exposure to radon is a long-term investment in your family’s health and your home.

The NC Radon Program has a limited amount of free short-term radon test kits for residents of North Carolina. Short-term radon test kits can also be purchased online for as little as $12.95 and are available at most home improvement and hardware stores.  Additional information can be found at epa.gov/radon.

Tanger Outlets Asheville, formerly Asheville Outlets, will celebrate its official name change this weekend and bring the full benefits of Tanger’s national TangerClub shopper loyalty and savings program to the Asheville community.

The celebration, from Saturday, Jan. 13 through Monday, Jan. 15. is open to the public and will include festivities for the whole family to enjoy, plus an exclusive “TangerStyle” savings event with even more deals and discounts for guests who participate in the TangerClub program. The weekend will feature local musicians, performers, and artists from the Asheville community, including a DJ, balloon wall display for photo opportunities, strolling magic, face painting and live performances from Celia’s Dance Studio.

With the open-air shopping center now part of the Tanger family, guests at Tanger Asheville will have access to the popular TangerClub guest loyalty program and consumer mobile app, which enables local shoppers to access tailored offers and deals digitally. TangerClub rewards members every time they shop, play and dine at any of Tanger’s shopping centers. With the Tanger App, guests can get instant savings and member-only benefits on their favorite brands, with access to increased perks at each reward level.

“Asheville shoppers can continue to expect access to best-in-class stores, events and deals while visiting our center — but now with even more perks,” said Megan Thorp, marketing director for Tanger Asheville. “The introduction of programs like TangerClub and special TangerStyle offerings throughout the year give guests even more ways to save, further enhancing the shopping experience with added value and convenience.”

Shoppers can take advantage of this month’s TangerStyle deals exclusively at the Asheville shopping center from Jan. 10 – 31, with 25% off a single item and 20% off an entire purchase for TangerClub Gold and Platinum members, as well as 15% off a single item and an entire purchase for TangerClub Blue members. To join TangerClub, learn more about the program’s benefits, and gain access to instant savings and exclusive rewards, guests can visit tanger.com/tangerclub or download the Tanger app.

Starting Jan. 10, Asheville shoppers will also have access to Tanger’s digital customer service experience, which offers a more convenient way to get information and plan visits to the center. The simple, user-friendly text program allows guests to communicate with Tanger virtual concierge representatives from anywhere on property by texting 828-490-9251 — during the hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on Tanger Outlets Asheville, visit tanger.com/asheville.

About Tanger Outlets Asheville
Tanger Asheville is Buncombe County’s upscale, open-air outlet shopping destination, featuring a coveted collection of top brands and local shops. The 325,000-square-foot center features more than 60 premier outlet stores offering real style and real savings every day. Shopper-favorite brands at Tanger Asheville include Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach Outlet, Crate & Barrel Outlet, Old Navy Outlet, Le Creuset, RH Outlet, Vera Bradley Factory Outlet Store and Under Armour Factory House. For a full store listing and map, as well as directions, events and scoop on the latest sales, visit tanger.com/asheville, download the Tanger App or connect on Facebook and Instagram. Guests can also access the ultimate shopping experience by joining TangerClub, Tanger’s exclusive loyalty program, for curated offers and rewards.

 The deadline to enroll in a health insurance plan on the HealthCare.gov Marketplace is fast-approaching. Local nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services offers free help with enrollments for people in Western North Carolina.

Consumers have until January 16, 2024, to choose a plan. The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov generally runs from November 1 to January 15. In 2024, January 15 is a federal holiday, so consumers will have an extra day to enroll in a plan. Consumers who enroll before the January 16 deadline will have coverage that starts February 1, 2024.

“Pisgah Legal’s certified Navigators help thousands of people in our region find plans each year,” said Pisgah Legal’s Chief Operations Officer Jackie Kiger. “We know that quality, affordable health insurance is vital for folks in our community, and we are here to guide people through that process without any pressure to choose a certain plan.”

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care.

Make an appointment today by visiting www.pisgahlegal.org/health or calling (828) 210-3404.

Bilingual Navigators are available to assist in Spanish, and free translation services are available for speakers of other languages.

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigator Consortium. 

Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteers of Buncombe County are happy to announce for the seventeenth year we are offering School Garden Grants to Asheville City and Buncombe County public schools, including state charter schools.

We provide a notice of the application period along with instructions to all school principals, elementary through senior high. Additional information is available on our website, buncombemastergardener.org where you can learn more about the guidelines for receiving a grant and get access to the online 2024 School Garden Grants Application.

All applications must be completed online. Completed applications will be accepted beginning January 12, 2024, and must be submitted no later than 9 p.m. on February 15, 2024. If you have any questions, please call the Extension Office at 828-255-5522.

We are proud of our partnership with Asheville City and Buncombe County public schools. Since 2007, we have awarded 60 School Garden Grants totaling over $47,000. These grants have involved more than 17,500 students and hundreds of teachers, parents, and community volunteers.

School gardens grow more than plants. They grow imagination and creativity. They make math and science come alive, and they build community. We hope your school will join us in 2024.

Click on the link below to review the guidelines for school garden grants:
Guidelines for 2024 School Garden Grants

The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on two proposed permanent rules for implementing the photo ID requirement for in-person and absentee-by-mail voters in North Carolina.

The photo ID requirement was enacted into law by the General Assembly in 2018.

These rules are necessary to ensure uniform implementation of the photo ID requirement by all 100 county boards of elections and in all 3,000-plus polling locations. They are similar to rules adopted by the State Board and approved by the Rules Review Commission in prior iterations of the photo ID law.

The public comment period opens Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, and closes on Jan. 16, 2024.

Members of the public may comment on the rules in any of the following ways through Jan. 16:

• Online: Public Comment Portal: Permanent Photo ID Rules
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, PO Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255

An in-person public hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 13, 2023, at the State Board of Elections Office on the Third Floor of the Dobbs Building at 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

Information and links to the two proposed rules are below:

1. Verification of Photo Identification During In-Person Voting 08 NCAC 17 .0101 (PDF): This proposed rule describes how election officials must determine whether the photograph on the ID reasonably resembles the voter and whether the name is the same as or substantially equivalent to the voter’s name in their registration record. It also addresses voting options for voters who are unable to present photo identification.
2. Photo Identification for Absentee-By-Mail Ballots 08 NCAC 17 .0109 (PDF): This proposed rule provides details about the requirement for absentee-by-mail voters to provide a copy of an acceptable photo ID with their ballot return envelope, or to complete a photo ID exception form. It also describes the process county boards of elections must follow in reviewing copies of IDs or exception forms returned with absentee ballots.

The Board also proposes to repeal four previous photo ID rules adopted under a different law, which is now obsolete, to avoid any misunderstanding about what rules should be followed by election officials and the public. View the text of the four rules proposed for temporary repeal (PDF).

Submitted comments will be compiled and provided to the State Board before its final consideration of the proposed temporary rules, which will take place at a public meeting after the end of the comment period. The Rules Review Commission would then consider the proposed rules.

For more information about the rulemaking process, please visit Rulemaking.

Background

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina. Most voters will simply show their driver’s license. But there are many other acceptable photo IDs. See Acceptable Photo IDs for Voting.

If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they can get one for free from their county board of elections. For details, see Get a Free Voter Photo ID.

All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If a voter cannot show photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form, explaining why they are unable to show ID. Or they can vote a provisional ballot and return to the office of the county board of elections with their photo ID. If an absentee-by-mail voter is unable to include a photocopy of their photo ID with their ballot return envelope, they can also fill out an ID Exception Form with their ballot.

For more information on the photo ID requirement, see Voter ID.

Come pick up a bingo card and do the many HARD tasks (like taking a nap or reading a book). One row gets you a fun sticker. Three rows and you’re entered for our grand prize drawing.

NOTICE OF BUNCOMBE COUNTY PROPERTY TAX LISTING PERIOD
Property Tax Listing forms must be completed and returned by
5 p.m. on January 31, 2024 to avoid late listing penalty.

Notice is hereby given, that all persons who own personal or business property subject to taxation in Buncombe County on January 1, 2024, must list such property no later than January 31, 2024. Any person who fails to do so will be subject to penalties prescribed by law. Per North Carolina General Statute 105-296(c), the regular listing period is January 1 through January 31. If the regular listing period begins or ends on a day other than a business day, the period for such filing shall be extended through the next business day.

The listing period for 2024 will begin Tuesday, January 2, 2024, and end Friday, January 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. Listing forms will be mailed in December 2023 to persons or businesses who have requested a listing form or filed a listing last year. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/propertyassessment or contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4920.

Real Property

*All persons who own real estate must list any new additions, changes, or deletions that have been made since January 1, 2023. Please contact the Property Assessment office at (828) 250-4940.

*According to the North Carolina General Statutes, all property that is not defined or taxed as “real estate” or “real property” is considered to be “personal property.”

Personal Property

*All persons who own personal property such as un-tagged motor vehicles, permanently tagged trailers, manufactured homes, boats and boat motors, airplanes, rental personal property or farm machinery used for income purposes, must file a listing form annually. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/personallistingform.

Business Personal Property

*Business personal property is taxable whether it is owned, leased, rented, loaned, or otherwise made available to the business.

*All businesses are required to file a business personal property listing form annually during the listing period stated above, which includes: machinery and equipment; furniture and fixtures; computers; improvements to leased property; manufactured homes; aircraft; international registration plan (IRP) plated vehicles, supplies, etc. used in connection with the business. Download a listing form at buncombecounty.org/businesslistingform. This also includes all furnishings within a dwelling that is used as a long- or short-term rental. Download a Rental Listing form at buncombecounty.org/rentallistingform.

Extensions

*Listing extensions may be granted on request and for good cause shown.  Extensions must be requested no later than January 31, 2024. Request an extension at businessextensions.buncombecounty.org. If you are a new businesses that has not listed before, email [email protected] to request an extension prior to January 31, 2024.

*Extensions cannot be granted beyond March 15, 2024. If you are a new business for 2024, and have not filed a previous listing form, please contact our office for information at (828) 250-4930.

Tax Relief

*Property tax relief may be available for Veterans, anyone 65 and older, or anyone permanently disabled under NCGS 105-277.1. Call (828) 250-4915 to see if you qualify or download an application at buncombecounty.org/taxrelief.

Reminder: Listing forms will be accepted January 2-31, 2024. Property Assessment is located at 155 Hilliard Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, and is open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. except for holidays. Call (828) 250-4920 for more information. Instructions and forms are available at: buncombecounty.org/propertyassessment.

The County of Buncombe does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or disability in admission or access to, or treatment or employment, in its services, programs, and activities, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.

Explore the Rich Heritage of Black Communities in Asheville

The Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail leads visitors through three areas of Asheville: Downtown, Southside, and the River Area. The entire trail takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes to walk and read.

Reflecting on Community Resolve

Did you know that Black people helped create this region’s first non-Indigenous households? Did you know that Black people helped build Asheville and connected Asheville globally? Black entrepreneurs created thriving business districts. Black families cultivated close-knit neighborhoods. Black people from all backgrounds built resilient communities and fostered social change.

Immerse yourself in the history and heroism of Black Ashevillians by walking the Asheville Black Cultural Heritage Trail. Deepen your understanding with articles, videos, and more resources available here on the trail’s website.

Follow the Trail

Experience this trail in pieces as you explore Asheville or start at one of our three introduction kiosks to learn more about how Black people in Asheville negotiated landscapes of unequal power to build resilient communities and foster social change.

The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (C.A.Y.L.A) program is designed for sophomores and juniors who are interested in career exploration, leadership development, and gaining 21st-century job skills to prepare them for their future. C.A.Y.L.A provides young people with an excellent opportunity to work and grow in Asheville while also acquiring valuable work experience that will advance their future careers.

Program Benefits

The program takes place over the summer months, during which the students will become paid interns based on their career interests. Students will have the opportunity to get first-hand experience in their career of choice, network, and build skills and relationships that will aid them as they get ready to begin their college life. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded a $2,000 scholarship to go towards their college education.

Apply Today!

The application period will remain open until January 15, 2024. If you know someone who might be interested in this incredible internship opportunity provided by C.A.Y.L.A, please encourage them to apply.

For questions about the C.A.Y.L.A. program, please contact Promise Boseman at:  [email protected] 

Tell us – How are we doing as your City government? The City of Asheville is working with Polco/National Research Center to find out.

The National Community Survey captures residents’ opinions on local governance and participation, also drilling down to specific issues such as the built environment, community engagement, recreation and wellness, the economy, safety, and mobility.

Some residents were randomly selected to participate in the scientifically significant survey in December and were notified by mail. If you were notified by mail, please do not complete the online survey as well.

The survey is now open to all residents at the following links:

English: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23ENG

Spanish: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23SPAN

Russian: https://polco.us/AshevilleOP23RUSS

The survey will be open through January 22. The survey will take about 18 minutes to complete.

When this survey closes, results will be presented online in interactive charts and tables. Asheville’s last resident survey was conducted in 2021. You can find the results here as well as results from 2018, 2015 and 2008.

What will the City do with the results? The National Community Survey will compare and analyze the results from previous years and provide the metrics comparison. As the city enters budget planning season for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the results will help guide the City’s operational planning and help to determine project prioritization and resource allocation.

Whenever you want!   Supplies available at 2 Sulphur Springs Road If you need to request supplies for the same or next day, please call 828-254-1776. Organizing a litter cleanup with your friends, neighbors, co-workers, or other community members is easier than you may think! Asheville GreenWorks provides cleanup supplies and safety information, and will coordinate trash pick up as needed. Available supplies include safety vests, gloves, trash grabbers, trash bags, and SHARPs containers (upon request). Review the attached guides for instructions and safety information. Need to know Please review the attached documents and contact [email protected] with any questions. Your supplies will be available for pickup on the date you’ve requested at Asheville GreenWorks’ office at 2 Sulphur Springs Road, Asheville, NC 28806. All cleanups should be reported using the online form and supplies should be returned after your cleanup. Links & Attachments Cleanup Record DIY Cleanup Instructions-C5tsCUvm.pdf Do’s and Don’ts – Roadside Cleanups-j81w1uHK.pdf Syringe Safety-DBjtozsc.pdf

The Asheville-Buncombe Air Quality Agency is encouraging residents to get their homes tested for Radon during National Radon Action Month.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is invisible, odorless, and tasteless.  Radon is released harmlessly from the ground into outdoor air, but it can accumulate and reach harmful levels when trapped in homes and buildings.

Testing is the only way to know if a home has an elevated level of radon. EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend taking action to fix your home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or more. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs.  Taking action to reduce your exposure to radon is a long-term investment in your family’s health and your home.

The NC Radon Program has a limited amount of free short-term radon test kits for residents of North Carolina. Short-term radon test kits can also be purchased online for as little as $12.95 and are available at most home improvement and hardware stores.  Additional information can be found at epa.gov/radon.

Tanger Outlets Asheville, formerly Asheville Outlets, will celebrate its official name change this weekend and bring the full benefits of Tanger’s national TangerClub shopper loyalty and savings program to the Asheville community.

The celebration, from Saturday, Jan. 13 through Monday, Jan. 15. is open to the public and will include festivities for the whole family to enjoy, plus an exclusive “TangerStyle” savings event with even more deals and discounts for guests who participate in the TangerClub program. The weekend will feature local musicians, performers, and artists from the Asheville community, including a DJ, balloon wall display for photo opportunities, strolling magic, face painting and live performances from Celia’s Dance Studio.

With the open-air shopping center now part of the Tanger family, guests at Tanger Asheville will have access to the popular TangerClub guest loyalty program and consumer mobile app, which enables local shoppers to access tailored offers and deals digitally. TangerClub rewards members every time they shop, play and dine at any of Tanger’s shopping centers. With the Tanger App, guests can get instant savings and member-only benefits on their favorite brands, with access to increased perks at each reward level.

“Asheville shoppers can continue to expect access to best-in-class stores, events and deals while visiting our center — but now with even more perks,” said Megan Thorp, marketing director for Tanger Asheville. “The introduction of programs like TangerClub and special TangerStyle offerings throughout the year give guests even more ways to save, further enhancing the shopping experience with added value and convenience.”

Shoppers can take advantage of this month’s TangerStyle deals exclusively at the Asheville shopping center from Jan. 10 – 31, with 25% off a single item and 20% off an entire purchase for TangerClub Gold and Platinum members, as well as 15% off a single item and an entire purchase for TangerClub Blue members. To join TangerClub, learn more about the program’s benefits, and gain access to instant savings and exclusive rewards, guests can visit tanger.com/tangerclub or download the Tanger app.

Starting Jan. 10, Asheville shoppers will also have access to Tanger’s digital customer service experience, which offers a more convenient way to get information and plan visits to the center. The simple, user-friendly text program allows guests to communicate with Tanger virtual concierge representatives from anywhere on property by texting 828-490-9251 — during the hours of 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on Tanger Outlets Asheville, visit tanger.com/asheville.

About Tanger Outlets Asheville
Tanger Asheville is Buncombe County’s upscale, open-air outlet shopping destination, featuring a coveted collection of top brands and local shops. The 325,000-square-foot center features more than 60 premier outlet stores offering real style and real savings every day. Shopper-favorite brands at Tanger Asheville include Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach Outlet, Crate & Barrel Outlet, Old Navy Outlet, Le Creuset, RH Outlet, Vera Bradley Factory Outlet Store and Under Armour Factory House. For a full store listing and map, as well as directions, events and scoop on the latest sales, visit tanger.com/asheville, download the Tanger App or connect on Facebook and Instagram. Guests can also access the ultimate shopping experience by joining TangerClub, Tanger’s exclusive loyalty program, for curated offers and rewards.

 The deadline to enroll in a health insurance plan on the HealthCare.gov Marketplace is fast-approaching. Local nonprofit Pisgah Legal Services offers free help with enrollments for people in Western North Carolina.

Consumers have until January 16, 2024, to choose a plan. The Marketplace Open Enrollment Period on HealthCare.gov generally runs from November 1 to January 15. In 2024, January 15 is a federal holiday, so consumers will have an extra day to enroll in a plan. Consumers who enroll before the January 16 deadline will have coverage that starts February 1, 2024.

“Pisgah Legal’s certified Navigators help thousands of people in our region find plans each year,” said Pisgah Legal’s Chief Operations Officer Jackie Kiger. “We know that quality, affordable health insurance is vital for folks in our community, and we are here to guide people through that process without any pressure to choose a certain plan.”

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov (for Spanish-speakers Cuidadodesalud.gov) are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage and cannot be denied coverage based on pre-existing conditions. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care.

Make an appointment today by visiting www.pisgahlegal.org/health or calling (828) 210-3404.

Bilingual Navigators are available to assist in Spanish, and free translation services are available for speakers of other languages.

Pisgah Legal and other enrollment partners of WNC participating organizations give local people free, unbiased health insurance information and enrollment assistance in the NC Health Insurance Marketplace. These organizations include: Council on Aging of Buncombe County, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Mountain Projects, Inc., Western Carolina Medical Society, and Pisgah Legal Services. Pisgah Legal Services is a member of the North Carolina Navigator Consortium. 

Extension Master Gardener^SM Volunteers of Buncombe County are happy to announce for the seventeenth year we are offering School Garden Grants to Asheville City and Buncombe County public schools, including state charter schools.

We provide a notice of the application period along with instructions to all school principals, elementary through senior high. Additional information is available on our website, buncombemastergardener.org where you can learn more about the guidelines for receiving a grant and get access to the online 2024 School Garden Grants Application.

All applications must be completed online. Completed applications will be accepted beginning January 12, 2024, and must be submitted no later than 9 p.m. on February 15, 2024. If you have any questions, please call the Extension Office at 828-255-5522.

We are proud of our partnership with Asheville City and Buncombe County public schools. Since 2007, we have awarded 60 School Garden Grants totaling over $47,000. These grants have involved more than 17,500 students and hundreds of teachers, parents, and community volunteers.

School gardens grow more than plants. They grow imagination and creativity. They make math and science come alive, and they build community. We hope your school will join us in 2024.

Click on the link below to review the guidelines for school garden grants:
Guidelines for 2024 School Garden Grants

The State Board of Elections invites the public to comment on two proposed permanent rules for implementing the photo ID requirement for in-person and absentee-by-mail voters in North Carolina.

The photo ID requirement was enacted into law by the General Assembly in 2018.

These rules are necessary to ensure uniform implementation of the photo ID requirement by all 100 county boards of elections and in all 3,000-plus polling locations. They are similar to rules adopted by the State Board and approved by the Rules Review Commission in prior iterations of the photo ID law.

The public comment period opens Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, and closes on Jan. 16, 2024.

Members of the public may comment on the rules in any of the following ways through Jan. 16:

• Online: Public Comment Portal: Permanent Photo ID Rules
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: Attn: Rulemaking Coordinator, PO Box 27255, Raleigh, NC 27611-7255

An in-person public hearing will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 13, 2023, at the State Board of Elections Office on the Third Floor of the Dobbs Building at 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

Information and links to the two proposed rules are below:

1. Verification of Photo Identification During In-Person Voting 08 NCAC 17 .0101 (PDF): This proposed rule describes how election officials must determine whether the photograph on the ID reasonably resembles the voter and whether the name is the same as or substantially equivalent to the voter’s name in their registration record. It also addresses voting options for voters who are unable to present photo identification.
2. Photo Identification for Absentee-By-Mail Ballots 08 NCAC 17 .0109 (PDF): This proposed rule provides details about the requirement for absentee-by-mail voters to provide a copy of an acceptable photo ID with their ballot return envelope, or to complete a photo ID exception form. It also describes the process county boards of elections must follow in reviewing copies of IDs or exception forms returned with absentee ballots.

The Board also proposes to repeal four previous photo ID rules adopted under a different law, which is now obsolete, to avoid any misunderstanding about what rules should be followed by election officials and the public. View the text of the four rules proposed for temporary repeal (PDF).

Submitted comments will be compiled and provided to the State Board before its final consideration of the proposed temporary rules, which will take place at a public meeting after the end of the comment period. The Rules Review Commission would then consider the proposed rules.

For more information about the rulemaking process, please visit Rulemaking.

Background

Voters will be asked to show photo ID when voting in North Carolina. Most voters will simply show their driver’s license. But there are many other acceptable photo IDs. See Acceptable Photo IDs for Voting.

If a voter does not have an acceptable photo ID, they can get one for free from their county board of elections. For details, see Get a Free Voter Photo ID.

All voters will be allowed to vote with or without a photo ID. If a voter cannot show photo ID when voting in person, they can still vote by filling out an ID Exception Form, explaining why they are unable to show ID. Or they can vote a provisional ballot and return to the office of the county board of elections with their photo ID. If an absentee-by-mail voter is unable to include a photocopy of their photo ID with their ballot return envelope, they can also fill out an ID Exception Form with their ballot.

For more information on the photo ID requirement, see Voter ID.

Come pick up a bingo card and do the many HARD tasks (like taking a nap or reading a book). One row gets you a fun sticker. Three rows and you’re entered for our grand prize drawing.