Buncombe County Approves Steps to Join NC C-PACE Financing Program

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted to begin participation in North Carolina’s Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure program, known as NC C-PACE, signaling a new financing option for property owners across the county. At the January 20, 2026 meeting the board approved taking initial steps to participate in the statewide program, which funds energy efficiency, water-conservation, renewable-energy and resilience improvements for eligible commercial, industrial, agricultural and multifamily residential facilities.

County staff made clear that joining the NC C-PACE program does not create financial or legal liability for Buncombe County. That assurance addressed concerns about county exposure while opening a pathway for private property owners and developers to access long-term, fixed-rate financing repaid via property assessments.

NC C-PACE allows eligible property owners to fund upgrades that can lower operating costs, reduce water use and boost resilience to storms and other climate impacts. For businesses in downtown Asheville, manufacturers in the county’s industrial parks, farmers with eligible agricultural facilities, and owners of multifamily housing, the program offers a way to finance capital projects that might otherwise be deferred. Participation is voluntary, and projects must meet program eligibility and underwriting standards before funding is attached to a property assessment.

The board meeting also included an annual update from the Economic Development Coalition and a report on growth from the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, alongside routine business items. Those presentations framed NC C-PACE within broader county goals for economic growth and infrastructure planning, and underscored interest in aligning private investment with regional resilience and economic development strategies.

For local civic and business leaders, NC C-PACE represents another tool to attract investment without relying on general fund dollars. The program’s structure - using property-assessed financing linked to the asset rather than the municipality - mirrors trends in green finance seen nationally and internationally, where communities seek private capital for sustainability upgrades while limiting public fiscal risk.

Residents and property owners interested in details can view the county’s meeting materials and the Board of Commissioners recording on Buncombe County’s Facebook page. The board’s approval represents the start of a process; officials will bring follow-up actions and program implementation details to the board as they become available.

What this means for Buncombe is practical: property owners now have a potential financing path to modernize buildings, lower bills and increase resilience, and the county can pursue climate and economic goals without adding liability to taxpayers. Watch for county updates and materials on the Facebook page as next steps are developed.