Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (Nov 18, 2025)

Meeting Overview

On November 18, 2025, the City of Asheville’s Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee held a virtual meeting. The primary focus of the session was an informational presentation on regional workforce development, supplemented by the approval of previous meeting minutes.

Key Decisions

The committee’s only formal action was the approval of the minutes from the October 21, 2025, meeting. Kim Roney moved to approve the minutes, and Sage Turner seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously with a vote of 3-0. No other votes were taken, as the main agenda item was designated for information sharing only.

Discussion Highlights

The core of the meeting was a presentation by Nathan Ramsey, Executive Director of the Land of Sky Regional Council and Director of the Mountain Area Workforce Development Board. Ramsey provided a comprehensive overview of the regional economic landscape, highlighting several key trends:

• Population and Economy: The region is projected to add 150,000 people by 2050, with the Asheville Metro’s Gross Domestic Product currently standing at approximately $30 billion.
• Labor Market: The regional unemployment rate is around 4%, slightly above the state average. While recovering from pandemic highs, certain sectors remain vulnerable.
• Wages and Sectors: Regional wages lag behind state and national averages, particularly in professional services. The economy is "overweight" in healthcare, retail, food/beverage, and manufacturing.
• Housing and Transit: Significant housing gaps and rising costs are impacting workforce attraction and retention. The presentation also emphasized the need for accessible and affordable transportation to connect workers with jobs.

Committee members discussed the implications of these trends, expressing interest in creating a publicly accessible workforce dashboard to connect employers with talent. They also noted the need to evaluate industrial sites and zoning regulations, and to explore how transportation planning can be integrated with workforce development strategies. Additionally, the group discussed the potential strategic use of recovery funds to support local businesses and workforce initiatives.

Community Input

No public comment was received during the meeting.

Follow-ups

No specific follow-up actions were explicitly agreed to by members or staff during the meeting. While the transcript notes that committee members expressed interest in a follow-up discussion regarding transit planning and its impact on workforce development, no member or staff member explicitly committed to scheduling or conducting this follow-up at this time.

Impact

This meeting provided the committee with a current snapshot of the regional labor market, which is essential for informing future economic development and planning decisions. By understanding the scale of population growth, wage disparities, and housing challenges, the committee can better tailor its policies to support a stable and growing workforce. The emphasis on data accessibility and transit integration highlights the committee's focus on practical solutions to connect residents with employment opportunities.