News

Army starts process to build new training center here

Site of a new U.S. Army training center is outlined in yellow. [CITY OF HENDERSONVILLE ZONING MAP]

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 15, 2022

The U.S. Army is moving ahead with plans to build a 31,274-square-foot training center on Crest Road where soldiers will drill on weekends.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently submitted an annexation request to the city of Hendersonville for the 20.6-acre site behind Upward Elementary School. The Hendersonville City Council last week set a public hearing on the annexation request on Aug. 4 and the Planning Board on Monday recommended industrial zoning for the site.

The Lightning’s Ask Matt column reported last November that armory will replace two outdated facilities — one in Brevard and one in Asheville. There will be space for 12 full-time workers and an equipment maintenance shop for wheeled and tracked vehicles. William Ritter, the 81st Division’s public affairs specialist, said last year that U.S. Army Reserve soldiers train 38 days a year.