Groundbreaking Ceremony New Public Safety Facilities

Yancey County -- September 20, 2024: Officials in Yancey County are pleased to announce the commencement of

construction on a new Public Safety Facility. The Public Safety Facility project was funded by State Appropriation Monies distributed through grants from the North Carolina 911 Board. This funding is intended to mitigate the financial strain on the county, facilitating the development of this essential infrastructure without imposing additional expenses on taxpayers.

The new structure will accommodate the Yancey County Sheriff's Office, Emergency Management, and the 911 Emergency Communications Dispatch Center. This advanced building is designed to substantially improve public safety operations for the community while providing a contemporary, centralized hub for emergency services. The new public safety facilities will be situated behind the Buchanan and Young dealership, off Indian Trail Road.

The existing Courthouse has accommodated the Sheriff’s Office and the jail since its construction in 1964-65. Yancey County Emergency Communications is situated in a structure constructed in 1908, originally intended as a jail. Communications have occupied the ground level of the 116-year-old edifice since 2004. Yancey County has had significant growth in the past two decades, resulting in a shortage of space within this structure, and the county is projected to continue expanding in the future.

The expansion of the county results in an increased volume of emergency calls, necessitating a corresponding increase in the number of dispatchers to meet this demand. Yancey County is adopting a proactive strategy to meet the increasing demands of our community. By investing in contemporary infrastructure for law enforcement and emergency communications, the county is guaranteeing that its public safety services can meet future demands.

This new facility will bolster the growth that has already occurred and enable anticipated future expansion. It demonstrates the county's commitment to safety and establishes a basis for sustained development and enhanced emergency response for future generations.

Image: Yancey County Sheriff's Office