U.S. Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) announced that the National Park Service has awarded a competitive grant of nearly $4.5 million for land acquisition on Deaverview Mountain in Buncombe County, North Carolina. This funding will support the creation of a future public park. Out of 54 projects across 24 states, this was the only one funded in North Carolina.
Deaverview Mountain is currently privately owned. The federal funding, along with a state grant secured last year by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, will provide recreational opportunities in the area for years to come.
The grant is part of the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Grant program, which aims to purchase parks and renovate recreation facilities in economically distressed areas across the United States.
Edwards stated, “As a result of this award, the breathtaking views and recreational opportunities on Deaverview Mountain will be available for Western North Carolinians and the traveling public to enjoy. I applaud the hard work it took by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and Buncombe County to succeed in this extremely competitive process. As a member of the Interior & Environment Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, which has jurisdiction over this funding, I will always support bringing more federal investment into Western North Carolina in a fiscally responsible manner.”
