Haywood County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Haywood County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Expansion
Haywood now leads the state in recycling, and a new policy requires commercial haulers to register annually and route waste to the correct facilities to protect the aging MRF and landfill.
Canton-Clyde-Waynesville emergency water interconnect
After years of boil-water advisories and storm damage, the three towns are building a seven-mile pipeline so they can send water to each other during emergencies. It's mostly state-funded, and construction could start soon once easements are secured.
Jonathan Creek Convenience Center relocation
A $2.5 million state grant will move the flood-prone Jonathan Creek convenience center to a bigger site outside the floodway — though the county's solid waste fund must buy the land itself.
Broadband expansion nearly complete in Haywood County
Federal and state programs have cut unserved locations from about 5,000 in 2020 to roughly 131. Most remaining builds finish by end of 2026; the hardest-to-reach spots wait on the Stop Gap program and satellite service through 2030. Residents should check the FCC map and challenge inaccurate listings.