Businessman’s past local projects failed to materialize
By Julia Merchant and Becky Johnson • Staff Writers
One of the consultants involved in pulling off Cataloochee Wilderness Resorts — a 4,500 acre development supposedly coming to Haywood County — has raised some eyebrows in the community.
Huge development planned for Haywood County: Developers say things are a go, although local residents and officials wonder
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
If all goes as planned, Haywood County will one day be home to a 4,500-acre mega-resort that could drastically change the face of tourism in Western North Carolina — and what it means to call Haywood County home.
Snow blows at Cataloochee: Resort is once again among the first in the East to open
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
Snow is once again blowing at the Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, marking the official start of the winter ski season in Western North Carolina.
Courthouse on track for bicentennial festivities
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
The renovation of Haywood County’s historic courthouse is halfway complete, and things continue to move along smoothly — for the most part.
Who’ll pay the price?
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
It’s lunchtime in downtown Hazelwood, and the small area’s only parking lot of roughly 30 spaces is jam-packed. People jump out of their cars to grab a bite to eat, a haircut, medications, or a cup of coffee from the various businesses in this section of Waynesville.
New owners cut 150 jobs at paper mill
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
A round of layoffs struck Evergreen Packaging (formerly Blue Ridge Paper) last week when officials cut the positions of 28 salaried employees outright and decided to eliminate 122 hourly positions through attrition.
Haywood to create farmland protection plan
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
Haywood County commissioners have agreed to pay for the creation of a farmland protection plan they hope will guide efforts to preserve the region’s farming tradition for generations to come.
New TDA make-up leaves questions unanswered
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
New legislation to restructure the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority calls for a drastic overhaul of the organization while leaving much open to interpretation.
The overhaul was prompted by controversy over the TDA’s budget, particularly a new marketing plan that was unveiled in 2005. The marketing plan was devised after lodging tax revenue — a 3 percent tax on overnight stays at lodging facilities — started declining three to four years ago. The TDA wanted to fund new marketing initiatives in hopes of turning things around.
Western counties to share land-use ideas
County commissioners, planners and planning board members from the state’s seven westernmost counties will meet this month in a first-of-its-kind attempt to discuss land management on a regional level.
Maggie Valley unveils new land-use plan
By Julia Merchant • Staff Writer
After months of rigorous planning sessions, Maggie Valley town officials are finally ready to reveal to the public a new land-use plan they hope will help the town deal with anticipated growth.
