Thanks to the Community Foundation of WNC and a Janirve SUN Grant we will be able to move forward with critical improvements to our building's HVAC system. These dollars will go a long way toward preparing our space for the return of our building tenants, community members, and our staff, as we return to full use of our facilities two years after the start of the pandemic. 

Safety First

Our building houses thirteen nonprofits and public services that serve residents of western North Carolina. Each serves a diverse population of community members, some of whom are medically fragile. And it is our responsibility to do everything we can to ensure that anyone walking into our building feels safe. 

After polling our tenants about coming back to the building, they universally raised their concerns about air quality in a pandemic. To address this, our HVAC contractor assessed our unit and provided options to help minimize the circulation of airborne viruses like COVID-19 as well as other germs, viruses, mold spores, bacteria, and fungi. As a result, infrared bulbs will be installed, helping to reduce overall microbial build-up. 

We look forward to reopening in May and because of the Janirve SUN Grant, we will have a system in place to address the health of our building and ease the minds of our community partners and staff.