BUNCOMBE COUNTY — Committee members voted to recommend that the full Buncombe County Board consider joining a commercial PACE (CPACE) program intended to finance energy‑efficiency, resilience and renewable projects.

Staff described CPACE as a property‑attached financing mechanism administered by a state administrator (referred to in the presentation as the state economic development partnership). CPACE loans attach to the property tax record, can carry longer terms (20–30 years), and are provided by private lenders; the county would first adopt a resolution of intent, hold a public hearing, and then adopt a participation resolution to join the program.

Presenters cautioned CPACE is not a rapid volume play—examples in other states showed an average single project loan size in recent years of several million dollars—and staff said local uptake may be modest early on. The committee discussed public education coordination with municipalities and the city’s planning and development committee to maximize outreach.

At staff’s request, a motion was made to recommend approval of the resolution of intent and the CPACE participation resolution to the full Board of Commissioners. The motion was seconded and a voice vote was recorded as 'aye.' Staff said the next steps will include briefing materials, a public hearing and a final Board vote in February.