Highlands board designates town building as community hub for nonprofit emergency support

Leslie Manning, speaking for a coalition of nonprofit and faith leaders, presented a proposal for a nonprofit emergency support plan formed after Hurricane Helene. Manning described monthly meetings of nonprofit leaders that shifted to quarterly coordination and asked the board to designate a town building as a community hub for volunteer coordination, supplies and communications during emergency events.

Manning said organizers had identified a building with a new generator and Wi‑Fi and proposed that the Chamber of Commerce host a landing page listing available hot meals, shelter and supplies while the Highlander would manage social updates to limit misinformation. "We would love for this to sort of be the designated community hub," Manning said, asking the board for a consensus and next steps.

Mayor Pat and several commissioners voiced support and the board moved to designate the building as the community hub for nonprofit coordination during emergencies, pending return of a formal plan for codification and ratification. The motion passed with all in favor.

The board asked nonprofits to work with recreation staff on triggers for activation, define what constitutes an emergency, and deliver a formal plan for board review at a future meeting. The town will also link to the Chamber’s landing page and display the hub on the town app once the plan is formalized.