THE COMMUNITY WORKS WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER
The mission of the Swannanoa Pride Community Coalition (SPCC) is to bring the community together to become actively involved in shaping Swannanoa’s future, while honoring its unique history, heritage, and character. We’re grateful for the hundreds of Swannanoa residents who have participated in SPCC activities and events. Starting with our first community meeting in October 2006 (attended by 450 people), SPCC has grown into a vibrant and active volunteer-based organization.
Here are some of the projects that SPCC has been involved in:
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Sponsored a Swannanoa Community Picnic in May 2007
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Organized seven major Swannanoa cleanups (Swannanoa Sweeps) – scores of volunteers have collected thousands of pounds of trash
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Represented Swannanoa on various regional committees, task forces, and boards, including the US 70 Corridor Study, the Flood Damage Reduction Task Force, the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce, and the Buncombe County Greenways Commission
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Organized the Mill Around the Village Festival, Swannanoa’s first ever street festival (now in its fourth year)
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Held numerous community meetings on a variety of topics, including commercial revitalization, soil erosion and landslide issues, affordable housing, conservation easements, flood issues, and transportation
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Established ongoing relationships with local developers and with Buncombe County planners and Commissioners to advocate for responsible development
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Worked with Buncombe County to arrange for removal of abandoned mobile homes in Swannanoa
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Partnered with other groups in sponsoring the Beacon Oral History Project, which will culminate in production of a documentary about life in Swannanoa during Beacon’s heyday
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Arranged for holiday decorations to be mounted on utility poles in Swannanoa’s main business district
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Published the first Swannanoa Business Directory and Community Guide
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Worked in cooperation with representatives from Buncombe County and other local governments and nonprofits to develop a proposal for a greenway and park system in Swannanoa
SPCC has four active task forces – – Revitalization; Land Use and Residential Development; Greenways, Parks, and River; and Cleanup. A number of the activities listed above are ongoing, and many new projects are under way. Please join us! To learn more, go to www.swannanoapride.org. To get involved, please call 686-8281 or send an e-mail message to spcc2006@bellsouth.net.