Canton -- July 20, 2026: After enduring historic flooding, the closure of its largest employer and another catastrophic storm just three years later, the Town of Canton is asking one important question:
What should Canton look like in 2050?
That question brought residents together July 16 for a public workshop focused on the town's new Comprehensive Plan, a long-range blueprint that will guide decisions on housing, transportation, parks, economic development, infrastructure and future growth.
Required under North Carolina law for communities with zoning ordinances, the Comprehensive Plan will help shape everything from neighborhood development to business recruitment and public investment for decades to come.
For many residents, however, planning for the future cannot happen without reflecting on the events that changed Canton forever.
In August 2021, Tropical Storm Fred sent the Pigeon River surging through downtown, inundating homes, businesses and public buildings. Canton lost its fire station, police department and town administrative offices to the floodwaters, forcing municipal operations into temporary facilities located above the floodplain. The storm claimed seven lives across western North Carolina and caused widespread destruction throughout Haywood County.
The community was still recovering when another major blow arrived.
In June 2023, Pactiv Evergreen permanently shut down the century-old Canton Paper Mill after announcing the closure three months earlier. The decision eliminated nearly 1,000 jobs, ending more than 115 years of paper production and leaving one of Haywood County's largest industrial properties without a clear future. The closure also dealt a significant financial blow to the town, which had long relied on the mill as its economic backbone.
Just over a year later, Tropical Storm Helene delivered another devastating setback.
The September 2024 storm produced flooding that surpassed many areas affected by Fred, damaging homes, businesses, roads and infrastructure across western North Carolina. Once again, Canton found itself rebuilding while facing difficult questions about flood-prone development, public safety and long-term resilience.
Those experiences were reflected throughout the July workshop.
Residents consistently ranked affordable housing among their highest priorities while also expressing strong support for additional parks, walking trails, greenways and preserved open spaces. Many participants said redevelopment of the former paper mill property represents one of the most important opportunities in Canton’s history, but emphasized that future projects must balance economic growth with environmental responsibility and flood resilience.
Town leaders say the Comprehensive Plan is intended to serve as a community-driven roadmap rather than a list of specific projects. Public input gathered through workshops, surveys and stakeholder meetings will be incorporated into the final document before it is presented to the Canton Board of Aldermen for consideration.
For many who attended, the planning effort represents more than compliance with state law.
It is an opportunity to redefine Canton after years of hardship—building a community that is stronger, more resilient and better prepared for whatever comes next.
Residents who would like to participate in the planning process can find updates, meeting schedules and project information through the Town of Canton's Build a Better Canton initiative.
Image: Town of Canton