From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Asheville faces a “significant” $30 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2027 “due to higher expenses — health care, debt, post-hurricane recovery — and slower revenue growth, especially from sales tax,” triggering city officials to begin budget talks early to address the gap, “exacerbated by using one-time funds in FY26 and a looming property value revaluation,” AI Overview noted on Jan. 17.

To that end, Asheville City Council “received a sobering update on the city’s financial outlook during its Jan. 13, work session, revealing a projected $30 million gap between revenue and expenses for the 2027 budget,” Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported on Jan. 14.

“Director of Finance Tony McDowell attributed the shortfall to factors like rising health care costs, slower sales tax growth, and the lingering financial impacts of Helene,” News 13 stated.

“Other factors like the results of the county’s re-evaluation of property values will be part of our ongoing assessment,” News 13 quoted McDowell as saying.

The TV station added, “The city’s presentation also noted other expenses, including the need to execute a new transit contract, provide security at community centers, and budget for filled positions at the Asheville Police Department.

“McDowell said starting the budget process six weeks in advance with city council allows for more transparency and collaboration as they work toward solutions ahead of the June budget deadline,” News 13 stated.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. —  Following revelations that the City of Asheville has a projected budget deficit of $30 million next fiscal year, the city needs to undergo a forensic audit, Chris Peterson, an Asheville native, a long-time business leader and former Asheville vice mayor (1993-94), told the Daily Planet during a Jan. 16 telephone interview.

(“A forensic audit is a specialized, in-depth investigation of financial records to uncover fraud, embezzlement, or other misconduct, gathering evidence suitable for legal proceedings,” AI Overview noted.)

Also, Peterson asserted, “If you are on council or the mayor... and you just found this out, you should resign.”

From Staff Reports

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Phoenix-based U-Haul’s 2024/2025 data “shows North Carolina consistently ranks as a top destination, often No. 3 in the nation, attracting movers with better opportunities,” AI Overview noted on Jan. 11.

Based on its latest data, U-Haul noted in a Jan. 6 news release that North Carolina in 2025 trailed only Texas (No. 1) and Florida (No. 2) for the “highest net gain of one-way U-Haul customers”.

Also, in U-Haul’s 2025 data, “Asheville is recognized as the No. 4 top origin metro for intrastate moves within North Carolina, following Raleigh, Greensboro and Wilmington.”

Additionally, unlike in 2024, Asheville was specifically highlighted “as a notable growth market in 2025, showing significant in-migration...”

As for North Carolina, itr was in the top states for population growth in 2025, the annual U-Haul study pointed out.

“The cost of living remains relatively low in North Carolina compared to other places in the country,” U-Haul representative Jason Hardin stated in the release. “It’s a great place to raise a family. There is still a sense of community where people want to help each other.”

Meanwhile, North Carolina’s neighboring state, South Carolina, dropped from No. 1 in population growth in 2024 to No. 5 in 2025. This marks North Carolina’s third consecutive year as No. 3 in the nation for population growth. 

In U-Haul’s 2025 Growth Index, South Carolina ranked as the No.5 state for net migration, a drop from its No. 1 spot in 2024... Greenville ranked No. 1 in South Carolina and among the top 10 growth cities nationally according to reports on the 2025 data.”

The U-Haul’s latest data showed “Myrtle Beach (S.C.) ranking third among U.S. growth cities, showing continued strong appeal in the Palmetto State despite national shifts, with Texas taking the top state spot for 2025,” AI Overview stated.

“Charleston (S.C.) also performed well, appearing on the list of top growth metros,” AI Overview noted. “Charleston was ranked as the No. 7 growth metro in the nation.”