Country music star Eric Church, a North Carolina native, joined Governor Josh Stein and local community members on Friday, April 11, to break ground on a new neighborhood called Blue Haven. Located in Avery County, Blue Haven will feature 40 to 45 modern, energy-efficient homes built by Clayton Homes. The development is part of ongoing recovery efforts following the impact of Helene.
Church and his wife, through their nonprofit organization Chief Cares, have been active in supporting communities affected by natural disasters. At the event, Governor Stein emphasized that milestones like this groundbreaking bring much-needed hope to the region.
This marks the first residential community in Avery County to officially break ground, signaling the beginning of broader development efforts to help the area rebuild. In addition to supporting construction, Chief Cares has pledged to assist families with housing costs for up to three years, making home ownership more accessible. Families will also have the opportunity to purchase their homes within the community. Residents are expected to begin moving into Blue Haven by the end of summer.
Photo courtesy Governor John Stein Facebook
