After months of uncertainty, Ingles is moving forward with plans to revitalize its Swannanoa location, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment approved a special use permit for the project on Wednesday, paving the way for significant changes at the site.
This new permit will allow Ingles to clear the current strip mall to make way for a modern 105,000-square-foot facility. The development will not only feature the supermarket but also accommodate two additional tenants, a gas station, and a car and truck wash.
The project’s approval marks a significant step for the community, which has relied on the supermarket as a vital resource. Despite the devastation from Hurricane Helene, Ingles had remained silent on its rebuilding plans until now. Preston Kendall, a construction project manager for Ingles, emphasized that the company’s commitment to Swannanoa never wavered. “We’ve never – since Helene – not wanted Ingles back in Swannanoa,” Kendall stated during the hearing. “We just had to make sure that we did everything correct and what was best for the community for years to come.”
Kendall, who has deep roots in Swannanoa, revealed the emotional impact of the hurricane’s destruction remains profound. “It’s hard to talk about, because I drive – I live in Candler, and I drive to Swannanoa two or three days a week,” he expressed. “And it’s still hard to drive and see the devastation.”
Currently, most of the 140 employees from the former store have been reassigned to other Ingles locations in Buncombe County. The new store is projected to have a workforce of 200 to 220 employees, with an additional 50 to 60 jobs created by the gas station and truck wash, as noted by Kendall.
While the special use permit represents a crucial milestone, additional permits from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and other authorities are still required. The timeline for the project completion has yet to be announced.
