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Local leaders remain concerned about young adults and professionals leaving Asheville and Buncombe County to make their homes elsewhere. According to the Census Bureau and NC Office of State Planning, the local population of 18 - 34-year-olds gradually declined from 43,587 in 1990 to 40,976 in 1999. This age group now accounts for just 21% of the Buncombe County total population as opposed to 25% in 1990.

VISION requests citizen input on the topic at a local forum slated for Thursday, January 11, 6:00-7:30 p. m., at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College's Laurel Auditorium.

In 1995, VISION for Asheville and Buncombe County cited Increasing the 18- to 34-year-old population as one of five key benchmarks to future community progress. While the Asheville and Buncombe County trend follows the state and national declines in the age group population, the local 18-34 population's fall to 21 percent of the total county population undercuts the respective 24.5 percent and 23.4 percent of the total North Carolina and national population.

VISION Board Member and Asheville City Councilwoman Terry Bellamy leads the VISION project designed to develop strategies for exploring the reasons behind the local trend.

"Tapping the potential of young adults could bring new leadership and insight for the future of Asheville and Buncombe County, but to retain and attract the age group, we need to understand the issues first," stated Councilwoman Bellamy.

Senator Charles Carter will lead the public discussion along with panel members Nathan Ramsey, Buncombe County Commission Chair; Honor Moor, Executive Director of Junior Achievement and Chair of The Affiliates; Kim Blair, Division of Community Correction; Robin Turner Oswald, WLOS News Promotions Producer; and Cedric Scott, Advantage West NC. A reception will follow.

For more information, contact the VISION office through phone/254-0333, fax/252-8828, or email/abvision@abvision.org. The VISION website also contains event information.