Regular Meeting April 13, 2026

Town of Fletcher Regular Meeting Recap – April 13, 2026

The Town of Fletcher held its regular meeting on April 13, 2026, addressing a range of topics from honoring a beloved community member to planning for future growth and economic development. The meeting began with a somber but heartfelt tribute to Kenny Youngblood, a long-time resident and community leader. Kay Youngblood, his daughter, was presented with a proclamation recognizing her father's significant contributions to Fletcher and Henderson County. The meeting then proceeded through a packed agenda, resulting in several key decisions impacting the town's present and future.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to economic development initiatives. The Council unanimously approved economic incentives for "Project Blaze," an existing Henderson County business expanding its operations within Fletcher. This expansion is projected to create 38 new jobs, paying an average salary exceeding $68,788 annually, and represents a total investment of over $6 million. This decision underscores the town's commitment to attracting and supporting businesses that provide quality employment opportunities for residents. Following this, Salud Barron from the Asheville Regional Airport Authority delivered a comprehensive annual report highlighting record passenger numbers (2.2 million, second-best year ever), the addition of new non-stop destinations, and a substantial $3.85 billion economic impact to Western North Carolina. Updates were also provided on the Broadmoor golf course and hotel development, with the hotel slated to open in May.

Beyond economic matters, the Council addressed planning and transportation concerns. Leslie Quayvost was reappointed to District 3C on the Planning and Zoning Board, recognizing her previous service and expertise. A crucial decision was made to initiate an "express design" study with the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT). This study will focus on improving traffic flow at key intersections along Highway 25, between Howard Gap Road and Cane Creek Road – a critical step in supporting potential improvements for future town center development.

Tom Randers provided legislative updates, outlining ongoing projects and priorities being discussed with state representatives. He also detailed the current budget process, noting that a draft balanced budget will be presented to the Council in May. Randers further announced upcoming community events, including a spring shredding/medication turn-in event and the annual litter sweep. A brief discussion regarding the town’s practice of not formally setting public hearings for land-use related issues resulted in approval from the council, maintaining current procedures.

Looking Ahead: Several key actions and next steps emerged from this meeting. The Airport Authority will continue its work on terminal construction and airport improvements, while Lewis Real Estate Group is moving forward with the Broadmoor development. The MPO and DOT will begin their express design study for Highway 25, a project that promises to address traffic concerns and lay the groundwork for future town center development. Residents can expect a draft balanced budget to be presented in May, marking the next stage of Fletcher’s fiscal planning. For those seeking more detailed information, official meeting minutes will be available on the Town of Fletcher website once finalized.