It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Black Mnt Fire Tower gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Black Mountain, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here,”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the”
“I'm so happy to have such a professional and reliable agency that I can refer my caregivers to and know that they will receive the service they need to assist with the care of their loved ones with dementia,”
“Always Best Care Seniors Services provide the personal touch in-home care! From our initial call inquiring about services, to meeting the owner Jim Smeaton to discuss our unique family needs, to the caring compassionate and understanding caregivers we are thoroughly impressed. Its such a relief knowing our loved ones are receiving the care they deserve.”
“Highly professional and very caring. A great company”
“I love this company. They are always very responsive. They truly care about the ones that they care for.”
“Wonderful service, very helpful, great communication.”
“All their caregivers are nice, show up, rarely late, and very helpful and kind. They are reliable, and the caregivers are sweet and attentive.”
“I am a current client of this provider They give me the peace of mind. They are always able to be reached and are willing to work with you.”
“My husband has dementia. They have helped me continue to work and feel comfortable in knowing my husband is safe with excellent care. The office listens, really hears and is helpful to support and meet needs. Our caregiver, Chip, has become family. He was very personable, attentive to needs, brings extra in music, stories, making sure to pay attention to the patient and give accordingly. He is always kind and gracious. We are blessed to have them.”
“Very great place to work! The staff is very supportive!”
“This place is absolutely amazing to work for!! The office team is so welcoming and helpful anytime I call or come in, and my clients are wonderful! It’s more like helping a friend all day instead of working like clockwork!”
“They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“The most caring compassionate place i have ever been to”
“Outstanding care and compassion for both clients and employees”
“They really appreciate to have their employees there . And that makes me feel happy just being in there in their organization .. my google is under Stephanie young but my last name is now Duarte . Young was my married name , I’m divorced now”
“I went for my interview there a week ago and the staff were so nice and welcoming. I’m excited to join the team and see the great things they have in store.”
“I am a current client of this provider It could just be his cooperation or lack thereof. It is regarding his cooperation regarding the service. He tends to not wake the caregiver for assistance during the night time. I would give specific names of individuals in this organization that I would request over others.”
“I am a current client of this provider They do what I ask them to do which makes my life easier. They are always on time and they always finish the job during the day.”
“I am Kathryn Merrell and for the past several months I have been under the care of ABC Senior Services. I have had the privilege of enjoying the care of Lois C. She is the best advertisement for your agency. When I am asked, which happens frequently, about my experience with ABC, I refer to Lois as being your prime example of the type of care they can expect from you. She goes beyond just basic care and does all she can to help remedy any problem we have. I love that I can trust her and feel safe having her share my home with me. She is very professional yet very "down home", a rare combination. You should be very thankful she is on your "team"! Because of her, I have no problem recommending your company to all who ask.”
“I am a current client of this provider She does whatever is needed without being asked. I have had a couple of very good people, one of which I have now. When I was getting going with them, I had a couple of people I would never like to have again, but that has all been ironed out.”
“I am a current client of this provider Just being here and making meals is great. But they could be more proactive. They need to be better at communicating.”
“As a caregiver I am so pleased with the care for the clients. I've never worked for a company that was so dedicated to clients and caregivers. Everyone is always happy, clients and staff. I am blessed to work here.”
“I would recommend them because they provide good services. I've been down on my health, so it's been a blessing to have them taking care of him for me. I appreciate that the caregivers are friendly.”
“They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do. They've helped the most just by being here.”
“I am a current client of this provider They've helped the most just by being here, and doing what they're supposed to. They're very prompt about coming when they're supposed to and they do what we need them to do.”
“I have honestly never met a group of people who care as much as the Always Best Care team. I have watched the staff there change lives for the better, not only for clients but each other as well. It is a pleasure to be a part of this team, nothing compares to it!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Veterans Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Que Sera or visit Swannanoa Valley Museum & History Center, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Black Mountain, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Black Mountain, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Black Mountain, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Meg Montgomery leads a team that embraces whole-animal butchery, prioritizes local sourcing, and trains the next generation of butchers.BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Tucked among the breweries, distilleries and mom-and-pop shops in Black Mountain, the steady clatter of knives and hum of coolers quietly signals the work underway at Foothills Farm and Butchery. Overseeing it all...
Meg Montgomery leads a team that embraces whole-animal butchery, prioritizes local sourcing, and trains the next generation of butchers.
BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Tucked among the breweries, distilleries and mom-and-pop shops in Black Mountain, the steady clatter of knives and hum of coolers quietly signals the work underway at Foothills Farm and Butchery. Overseeing it all is Meg Montgomery, who started there nearly a decade ago washing dishes. Today, she manages field operations across multiple locations.
Montgomery, now 33, is the field operations manager for Foothills, a vertically integrated farm-to-table company with a fierce dedication to local sourcing and whole-animal butchery. From supply logistics and training new hires to overseeing a team of butchers, line cooks and drivers, she’s the steady hand behind one of the region’s most innovative food systems.
But her journey into the world of butchery didn’t begin with a cleaver in hand. It started at the sink.
“I came in wanting to learn how to break down whole animals,” Montgomery said. “I was really interested in seeing the entire food system –start to finish. I just didn’t expect to fall in love with it.”
She now leads a team of butchers and assistants working out of Foothills’ Black Mountain shop, which supplies meat for three restaurants. Under Montgomery’s management, the shop runs on a whole-animal philosophy — turning every part of a cow or hog into usable product, from steaks and sausage to fryer tallow and demi-glace.
“It’s one of the only business models where sustainability and profit margins line up perfectly,” she said. “If you use everything, it’s the best for the planet — and for your bottom line.”
Becoming a butcher isn’t easy. There are no schools for it, Montgomery explained. The skill has to be passed down, one cut at a time.
“Most places don’t have the time or budget to teach someone from scratch,” she said. “But we make it a priority here.”
Her method is hands-on and rooted in repetition. Assistants start with one cut — say, trimming a sirloin — and repeat it until it’s second nature. After about four months of consistent work, she said, a motivated learner can begin to work independently.
“You can’t rush it,” she said. “But if someone’s eager and willing, I’ll make sure they get the opportunity.”
That’s personal for Montgomery. When she was promoted to manager just before the COVID-19 pandemic, she still didn’t know how to butcher. But when lockdowns halted restaurant operations, she took to the butcher’s table and learned from the team she now leads.
Until recently, Montgomery’s entire butcher staff was female — a rarity in an industry historically dominated by men. That dynamic has shifted slightly, but the workplace culture remains welcoming and inclusive.
“The guys that come in now know exactly what they’re walking into,” Montgomery said with a grin. “One of my butchers apologized mid-interview because in 20 years working in slaughterhouses, he had never seen a woman on the floor — let alone four.”
Respect, she says, is earned in any kitchen or butcher shop. But today, she feels fully supported not just by her staff but also by the company’s male leadership.
“That hasn’t always been the case in this industry,” she said. “But it’s changing. And it feels good to be part of that.”
Montgomery’s responsibilities stretch far beyond the butcher block. She handles ordering, HR, inter-location logistics and training for new hires. During COVID, she helped pivot the company to online sales to stay afloat. And recently, she helped launch a new venture in Old Fort: Foothills Watershed, a family riverside hangout and bike park with an Oaxacan-inspired food truck that gets its proteins from the butcher shop.
She sees it all as an extension of her original goal: making the food system more transparent and equitable.
“As a purveyor, I get to make sure the money goes to the right places,” she said. “Selling whole animals is the most profitable model for small farms. That’s how we close the loop.”
Montgomery hopes more young people — especially women — see a place for themselves in the trade.
Her advice? Walk into your local butcher shop and introduce yourself. And don’t underestimate the power of community — especially online.
“There’s a huge female butcher community on Instagram,” she said. “Some of my best friends are women I met through that space. We have matching tattoos. They were the ones who answered my questions when I was starting out — and now I get to do the same for others.”
Montgomery pauses to show off one: “Grind or die,” it reads, stylized like a meat grinder pun. Another says: “There better be hot dogs.”
“It’s funny, but it’s real,” she laughed. “This work, it’s tough, but it’s also creative, empowering and endlessly interesting.”
For Montgomery, the butcher shop may no longer be her daily workstation, but it will always be her heart.
“I’ll always oversee it. It’s my baby,” she said. “And I’m definitely leaving it better than I found it.”
828newsNOW News Editor Dee Pridgen thrives on making sense out of the chaos of a newsroom. She is a graduate of Troy University’s Hall School of Journalism and has more than 35 years’ experience as a reporter and editor.
Nine months after Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast, the recovery process is just beginning. As communities rebuild their lives and towns, the Carolina Journal revisits some of the state’s hardest-hit areas to assess what recovery looks like, what’s still missing, and how far there is left to go.Josh Harold, the town manager for Black Mountain, North Carolina said the town sustained between $25 and $30 million in damaged assets and infrastructure.“It’s a slow process, and we’re going to k...
Nine months after Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast, the recovery process is just beginning. As communities rebuild their lives and towns, the Carolina Journal revisits some of the state’s hardest-hit areas to assess what recovery looks like, what’s still missing, and how far there is left to go.
Josh Harold, the town manager for Black Mountain, North Carolina said the town sustained between $25 and $30 million in damaged assets and infrastructure.
“It’s a slow process, and we’re going to keep working through that probably for the next number of years because I think it’s going to take that long,” said Harold. “At this point, we are continuing to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).”
Harold said that they have a weekly meeting with FEMA officials.
“FEMA is going to be paying for architectural and engineering services for us, and I think for most towns, not just us,” said Harold. “So that process and paperwork are underway, and we’re soliciting right now for those types of companies to put in bids for us. We hope within three to four weeks we’ll start making those selections and getting people on the ground beginning to do some design for us on our different projects, building reconstruction, to road construction, to greenways; just about anything you can think of, water system, a lot of different projects.”
According to Harold, Black Mountain has received about $800,000 in FEMA funding. The town also received a $3 million zero-interest loan from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for a water system and a substantial stormwater project. Additionally, Black Mountain received just over $1 million in zero-interest loans from the cashflow loan program created in the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024.
Harold explained that it boils down to funding; the town of Black Mountain has an annual budget of about $20 million.
“We’re looking at a damage inventory of more than our annual budget,” said Harold. “I think the biggest struggle we’ve had up to this point has been just cash flow.”
He explained that the town spent about $3-4 million from its’ unassigned fund or “savings account,” essentially draining its’ savings account to fund post-Helene recovery.
“As soon as we can get funding, we can start getting things done,” said Harold.
“It’s just a lot slower than I thought it would be.” David DiOrio, Mayor Pro Tem for Lake Lure, told the Carolina Journal. “I mean it’s just the bureaucracy and the process is overwhelming, particularly for small western North Carolina towns.”
DiOrio said that many small towns in western North Carolina are in touch and are all experiencing the same frustrations, which include a lack of infrastructure and staff to keep up with the bureaucratic requirements as things move forward. According to DiOrio, their primary point of contact is FEMA. DiOrio emphasized the difference between public assistance and private assistance, and in Lake Lure, they are primarily focused on public assistance.
“The town infrastructure took a major hit, and that’s a whole different pillar of FEMA to work through,” said DiOrio. “The mainstay of our problem was that some individuals were affected in Lake Lure, but the problem was the impact on our utilities and infrastructure, particularly our dams, so that’s what we’re focused on.”
Lake Lure incurred $10 million in Emergency Protective Measures (EPM), the storm’s immediate impact cost. This includes the cost of debris removal and access to utilities so that people can live where they are. Out of that $10 million, the town of Lake Lure has received about $2.3 million in funds reimbursed by FEMA. The town of Lake Lure initially spent about $2.3 million from its’ capital reserve for debris removal and to get utilities back online.
According to DiOrio, the much bigger number is hazard mitigation, which is estimated to cost about $300 million; this is the long-term cost of repairing the damages incurred.
DiOrio said Lake Lure has about 30 active line items to help the town recover from Hurricane Helene.
“That’s everything from money towards the dam, wastewater collection, bridges that were washed out, and sedimentation removal from the lake,” said DiOrio.
However, due to priorities and money from FEMA, only about 3 to 4 of these line items are progressing.
DiOrio explained that FEMA needs to aggressively pursue the existing project line items in the system. Once those projects are green-lighted, does FEMA have enough money to cover the enormous expenses they will incur? Additionally, process improvements are needed for things to move forward. DiOrio said that things are moving; it’s just prolonged.
“We just need to focus on helping us get to the point where we can normalize our day-to-day lives here, and that’s the challenge,” concluded DiOrio.
BLACK MOUNTAIN – Following a nearly nine-month closure due to damages from Tropical Storm Helene, the Black Mountain Golf Course has reopened the back nine holes.About a dozen people came out to support the golf course at a June 23 ribbon cutting, marking the course's partial reopening. The back nine holes were available for everyone to play starting June 24.The Black Mountain Golf Course is owned and maintained by the town. At a May 15 special call meeting, Town Manager Josh Harrold gave an update, saying “more mon...
BLACK MOUNTAIN – Following a nearly nine-month closure due to damages from Tropical Storm Helene, the Black Mountain Golf Course has reopened the back nine holes.
About a dozen people came out to support the golf course at a June 23 ribbon cutting, marking the course's partial reopening. The back nine holes were available for everyone to play starting June 24.
The Black Mountain Golf Course is owned and maintained by the town. At a May 15 special call meeting, Town Manager Josh Harrold gave an update, saying “more money” has been spent on the golf course since Helene than anything else in the town other than critical infrastructure.
According to a June 24 news release posted to the town website, Black Mountain "has invested more than $135,000 in repairing the golf course." These repairs include getting the back nine holes open, culvert and cart path repairs, irrigation system restoration and pro shop renovations.
The release said repairs to the front nine holes, golf cart barn and cart paths and bridges will take place "in a few months" as funds become available.
At the May 12 regular session meeting, nine residents spoke in favor of opening the golf course during the public comment period. Some spoke of not wanting the golf course to be closed, something Harrold said “has never been discussed or considered” at the May 15 meeting.
According to Harrold, the FEMA damage inventory estimate for the golf course and operations is $2 million.
At the June 23 ribbon cutting, Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cheryl Hyde said the chamber is “excited” to have the golf course back open.
According to a document provided to Black Mountain News by Harrold, the golf course made nearly $182,000 in revenue in 2024. Black Mountain Golf Course Manager Brent Miller said golf has increased in popularity since COVID and net profit in a "good year" is between $150,000 and $200,000.
Including staff, Miller said the golf course spends between $450,000 and $500,000 on maintenance each year.
Harrold said the town is continuing to work on getting the front nine holes open and that it will “take some time.”
“I hate that it’s taken this long to get the back nine open,” Harrold said. “But we are finally here and ready.”
Harrold said he wanted to thank Miller and Jerry Brigman, golf course superintendent, for the work they have put in getting the back nine holes open.
“They’re they rockstars here,” Harrold said. “They’ve busted their butts to get this course open, and they’ve done a hell of a job.”
Brigman told Black Mountain News the golf course had 35 trees come down across the property during Helene.
Helene brought historic flooding across Western North Carolina, killing more than 100 people across the state and causing nearly $60 billion in damages.
Much of the golf course equipment flooded from rain and water from the Tomahawk branch of the Swannanoa River and became unusable, leaving the town searching for options.
“We lost our shop, all of our equipment,” Brigman said. “We went seven months without being able to mow anything, maintain anything. We didn’t have irrigation for almost eight months.”
The June 24 news release said the maintenance building will need to be demolished and relocated to be in compliance with FEMA standards, and the work will be reimbursable by the agency.
Once the town leased equipment at the end of April, Brigman said the team was able to start mowing to playable heights.
He said he wants to “thank everybody” for being patient as the town works to get the golf course reopened.
“We still got a lot of work ahead of us,” Brigman said. “But we’re buckling down and we’re doing all we can do to try to get this back to 100%.”
Miller told Black Mountain News having the back nine holes reopen is a “relief.”
“We’ve needed to get going in the right direction for a long time,” Miller said. “We’ve been working towards it, but this actually feels like the culmination of that.”
He said the Black Mountain Golf Course would usually see around 150 golfers each day, and he expects to see half that number with only half the course being open. Annually, Miller said there are between 30,000 and 33,000 rounds played.
As for what is next for the golf course, Miller said he wants to continue working to get the front nine holes reopened.
“Doing what we can within the funds and the means that we have to get it done as quick as possible,” Miller said. “And also have a product that people want to come back and play on this golf course. We’ve always kept it in relatively good shape for what we had to work with and we don’t want to put out a subpar product.”
Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
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