Center in downtown Black Mountain is expected to attract around thousands of visitors annually to its state of the art glass studios, stimulating economic growth on the eastern edge of the community. Trotman recounts,“The Glass Center is going to be a really big deal.They have an existing location in the River Arts district in Asheville with 47,000 visitors a year. This location is larger, with furnaces, studios, and gallery space with the ability to expand classes and community outreach.” Harrold shares the promising future of Commerce Park, a business hub in the center of the town. “We have an interchange coming off of Interstate 40 that will be right beside this business park, and that construction starts next year,” he relays. “There’s a big opportunity with this Commerce Park to take off once the access is there for them. So, we are working with the Economic Development Coalition of Buncombe/Asheville, trying to market some of that site.” $2 million in grant funding has already facilitated the installation of a new access road and essential utilities such as water and sewer lines.“So, we’re ready. We’re just waiting for that business now,” Harrold asserts. Relying on a well based water system, the Town of Black Mountain has taken steps to ensure a sustainable water supply for its residents and future developments. Harrold explains,“Those wells are not enough to provide the water that we need. So, about five years ago, we got into an agreement with the city of Asheville. Now we can buy more water from them, which of course supplements ours. Having that and being able to show developers that we’ve got the water that they may need, is crucial.” In addition, collaborations with firms like McGill Engineering, Headwaters Engineering, and Wildlands Engineering have facilitated significant progress in stormwater management, environmental restoration, and water system improvements.The Town has also initiated a $5 million flood benching project led by North State Environmental and Kimley-Horn. On the education side, Montreat College, a private four-year institution, is preparing to break ground on a new cybersecurity campus in Black Mountain in 45 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09 BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC
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