PURPOSE: WNC Communities is dedicated to providing a unique forum for leaders in the mountain region of Western North Carolina to convene, collaborate and carry out innovative programs to improve the quality of life for rural communities and to enhance the economy of the agriculture sector.

CONTACT US: 594 Brevard Road | Asheville, NC 28806 | Office: 828 • 252 • 4783 info@wnccommunities.org

474 Stock Drive | Canton, NC 28716 | 828 646 3700

WNC RLC: The first sale at the at the WNC Regional Livestock Center was a tremendous success. The first sale began at 12 noon with the key to the building being presented to the operator, Southeast Livestock Exchange. John Queen welcomed area producers "home" and auctioneer, Phillip Gilstrap began the process of selling 964 head of cattle late into the evening. It was estimated that over 500 folks were present throughout the day to sell, buy and participate in the excitment of this new facility.

The success of the first sale of the WNC Regional Livestock Center is testament to the support and generosity of our leadership donors:
North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission
Golden LEAF Foundation
NC Rural Center
Appalachian Regional Commission
NC Agricultural Development Farmland Preservation Trust Fund
International Paper

Sales will be conducted on Mondays at 12 noon. Cattle can be received at the facility on Sundays from 1:00 to 7:00 pm and Mondays beginning at 7:00 am. For more information, visit www.wncregionallivestockcenter.com

The First Sale photos March 21, 2011

To see the construction of the center click here: construction photos

MORRIS L. "MAC" MCGOUGH ************************************

Morris “Mac” McGough passed away peacefully on January 15, 2011. Mac McGough was the father of community development and the catalyst behind so many of the great pieces of infrastructure we all continue to enjoy to this day including; the WNC Farmers Market, WNC Ag Center, NC Arboretum and the Mountain Research Stations.

The following is the story of how Mac McGough came to call western North Carolina home.

In 1948, George Cecil and Lloyd Langdon traveled to Tupelo, Mississippi to gain an understanding of the agricultural successes in their State's rural communities. 

By November of 1948, Mac McGough with Doane Agricultural Services arrived in Asheville to conduct a Rural Area Study.  The purpose of the study was to take a careful and thorough approach in creating an appraisal of the agricultural resources in our area.  This study created a plan to bring farmers and businessmen together in pushing forward with the agricultural development of our region.

In February of 1949, over 700 leaders representing, farms, businesses and the State, attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting to hear an explanation of the study and the proposed Rural Development Program at the Asheville City Auditorium.  Approval was enthusiastically given and a new movement was underway for further progress in the mountains of North Carolina. 

The Asheville Agricultural Development Council was formed and adopted the slogan, “Business, Agriculture and Labor Working Together to Build a Prosperous and Stable Community.”  Mac McGough was hired as the manager to implement the plan within the mountains of North Carolina.

The attitude of “you’ll never do anything in rural development unless it comes from the bottom up” was the one adopted when Mac McGough spoke to George Cecil about the Asheville Agricultural Development Council sponsoring the first rural development contest.  So, on November 15, 1949 the Council sponsored the Western North Carolina Rural Community Development Contest with $1,000 in prizes to be given to three top communities. Over 60 years later this program, now called the WNC Honors Awards, is still going strong with over 60 communities participating and over $22,000 distributed in cash awards.  

In the words of Richard Wynne, "Mac McGough should be at or near the top of Western North Carolina's 'unforgettable' list, a visionary who could get things done. Once he decided on a course, he pursued it relentlessly.  If the cause got opposition, he met it head-on or circumvented it, depending on the situation."

WNC Communities' Board of Directors is pleased to announce the Morris L. "Mac" McGough Endowment has been created to continue Mac's legacy of work in community development.

Mac McGough was indeed unforgettable and he will be greatly missed. If you would like to send the family a card or letter, please direct them to; The McGough Family, 12 Blueberry Hill Drive, Asheville, NC 28804.