Domestic and international visitors to and within Jackson County spent $468 million in 2023, an increase of 3.4% from 2022. The data comes from an annual study commissioned by VisitNC, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. 

Jackson County Parks and Recreation is hosting a youth soccer camp. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 8-14. Camp will be held from 4-5:30 p.m. Aug. 19, 21 and 23. 

To help address the critical workforce shortage in health care, nursing in particular, the University of North Carolina System initiated a call for grant proposals to distribute $40 million over a span of two years to UNC System schools. 

KidzCare Pediatrics Sylva announced a partnership with WNC Farm to Table to provide weekly food bags for patients and their families in need.

The Jackson County Tourism Development Authority (JCTDA) has announced a new quarterly cycle for the Tourism Capital Project Fund (TCPF), beginning in 2024-25.

The Sylva Garden Club will be hosting its annual picnic 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, in Bicentennial Park at 122 Keener St. In the case of rain, the picnic will be moved to the Fellowship Hall at First Presbyterian Church of Sylva.

A nationally recognized touring and recording artist of children’s music, Timmy Abell will perform at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 27, at the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, located 558 Frank Allen Rd. in Cashiers. 

Macon and Jackson County commissions signed resolutions this month enabling the governments to receive funding from the Kroger opioid settlement, the third settlement of its kind for both counties. 

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted this month to commit to funding construction and renovation of Fairview School, which was recently identified as the system’s top capital needs priority due to overcrowding and outdated design. 

One of Friends of Panthertown’s upcoming programs includes a “Fireside Chat” in which it will share information about the organization and current projects with partner WATR (Watershed Association of the Tuckaseegee River), as well as educational information about stream health and monitoring in the Tuckasegee Watershed. There will be a fire and s’mores.