Just Economics of WNC is announcing the 2025 Living Wage Rate for Buncombe County, the entry rate for those certifying as Pledged Living Wage, and temporary changes to our program because of Helene.
The 2025 Living Wage Rate is $23.15/hr, and employers who attain this wage floor are eligible for ‘Leading’ Living Wage Certification with Just Economics of WNC. This rate represents the wage floor that would allow a single person working full-time to qualify for a 1BR apartment in the Buncombe County…
2024 Year End Review
2024 has been a year of immense challenges and remarkable resilience and the impacts of Hurricane Helene will be felt across our region for years to come. We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received this year. As we look ahead to 2025, we want to take a moment…
Call to Action: Western NC Needs Real Relief: Join the Call for Eviction Protection and Recovery Funds
What Happened: Last week the NC General Assembly voted on their 3rd relief bill for WNC since Hurricane Helene’s devastation. SB382 was labeled as a disaster relief bill but didn’t provide much disaster relief at all and contained over 100 pages of undemocratic changes to power at the state level….
Open Letter to Governor Cooper, Council of State, Chief Justice Newby and the North Carolina General Assembly – WNC Needs an Eviction Moratorium (sign on today)!
WNC needs an immediate eviction/foreclosure moratorium for 90 days and adequate rental assistance from the state of North Carolina. The letter below has been signed by elected officials, clergy, business and nonprofit leaders and concerned individuals from across the region. You can read the open letter below and sign on here….
ACTION ALERT: WNC needs an immediate eviction/foreclosure moratorium for 90 days and adequate rental assistance from the state of North Carolina
En Español abajo Background: Hurricane Helene was the most catastrophic hurricane in NC history, leaving a wake of destruction in Western North Carolina. Many businesses were destroyed, washed away or were closed for at least most of October due to a lack of water and utilities. Schools and childcare centers…
Hurricane Helene Resources and Action Alert
Western North Carolina is facing catastrophic damage in the wake of hurricane Helena. Our staff are all safe and we’re focusing our work toward supporting our community through this challenging time. All Just Economics meetings and events are canceled until further notice. We are compiling a list of resources here…
Labor Day: A Celebration of Workers’ Rights and Economic Justice
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September. It is a day to honor the contributions of workers to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. The history of Labor Day can be traced back to the late 19th century,…
Just Economics Mid-Year Update
The first half of 2024 was filled with a lot of advocacy, education, and organizing. We are so proud of the work we have done together with our members, committees, and teams. So far in 2024, Just Economics has… As part of our Policy Advocacy work, so far this year…
Take Action in the Asheville City Budget
Support Higher Wages in the Asheville City Budget for Those Struggling the Most The Ask: Encourage City Council to support higher wages for City staff struggling the most, including our underpaid firefighters. Background: The budget proposal presented on May 14th includes a 4.11% salary increase for all staff. This proposal…
Embracing Creativity and Community at Just Brew It 2024
Asheville, NC, is renowned for its vibrant brewery scene, earning it the title of “beer city” among enthusiasts. Yet, amidst the hops and malts, a deeper story unfolds at Just Brew It, an annual home brewers competition and fundraiser event hosted by Just Economics, a nonprofit dedicated to social and…
Hospitality Worker Survey
Just Economics and Asheville Food and Beverage United teamed up to work with researchers with the UNC Asheville – UNC Gillings Master of Public Health program to conduct a study focused on the impacts of employment practices and policy on hospitality industry worker health and well-being. The study utilized community…
***ACTION ALERT***
Take Action to Support Living Wages, Affordable Housing, and Better Transit in Asheville and Buncombe County! It’s budget season for cities and counties across the state of North Carolina, which means our elected leaders are discussing how our tax dollars are being spent. You can work with us to advance…
Announcing the 2024 Living Wage Rate and Program Details
Just Economics of WNC is announcing the 2024 Living Wage Rate for Buncombe County as well as the new starting rate for those certifying as Pledged Living Wage employers this year. The 2024 Living Wage Rate is $22.10/hr, though employers previously certified have time to adjust to this rate and…
Why and How to Give
Why should I give to Just Economics? How do I give to Just Economics? Join Us! Thanks again to Asheville FM for their media sponsorship of the Annual Celebration.
Join Us for our Annual Celebration
We are gearing up for our Annual Celebration and we want you to join us on Thursday, December 7th, 6-9pm at the event space at Habitat for Humanity, 33 Meadow Road in Asheville. This event is free and will include food, drinks, music, a raffle, a trivia game, and celebration….
Celebrate International Living Wage Week 2023
Just Economics invites all our local community members to join us in the recognition of International Living Wage Week from Monday November 6th – Friday November 10th! Living Wage Week is a celebration that spotlights our Living Wage Certified Employers and elevates the discussion about living wages on the local,…
Transylvania County Living Wage Raffle
The Living Wage Coalition of Transylvania County is an affiliate of Just Economics, and we have been working to advance living wages and economic justice in Transylvania County for over a decade. We are currently working to raise funds to support an organizer to build on the work of the…
A Season of Celebration
Just Economics has a lot to celebrate this year and we are looking forward to a couple of events and activities that will help us to do just that! In 2023 we worked to develop the Centralized Rental Application, our affiliate in Transylvania County successfully advocated for a paid parental…
