About

App State’s Innovation District is powered by a modular, energy efficient system that can accommodate new energy technologies as the district grows. App State has a long-established reputation as a leader in the renewable energy space, and the university is exploring renewable energy options that will establish a national example for resilient energy solutions.

The system generates and distributes renewable energy to support all facilities located in the district, including those that are part of the district’s first development phase — the STEM Academic Building and Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing.

It comprises the following initial components, which became operational in summer 2025:

• Two wind turbines that, along with the original Broyhill wind turbine, contribute nearly 1 megawatt of wind power.
• Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels capable of generating approximately 520 kilowatts of power.
• A geothermal heating and cooling system consisting of 90 geothermal wells, geothermal heat pump chillers and wastewater heat recovery tanks.
• A central plant for managing the distribution of heating, cooling and electricity within the district.

App State’s Innovation District initiative will bring together expertise across disciplines and facilitate collaborations on campus and with the communities throughout the region, extending the university’s mission of teaching, research and service, preparing the workforce of today and building the workforce of tomorrow. The project is expected to have a lasting and powerful impact on the entire region, broadening economic development opportunities across Northwestern North Carolina. Learn more about App State’s Innovation District project.

The Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing development at App State’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus, is pictured Sept. 25, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig

This artist’s rendering presents a view of what the initial phase of the Innovation District’s STEM Academic Building could look like, once completed. Note, designs for the building are still in development. Graphic courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent

Status

Workers installed an underground geothermal heating and cooling system, along with two new wind turbines and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels, as part of the Innovation District’s energy system. These initial system components became fully operational in summer 2025.

App State entered a public-private partnership (P3) agreement with Harrison Street Real Estate LLC, which developed and constructed the district’s energy system and is responsible for its operation. The P3 agreement was approved by the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors in January 2023.

In July 2022, the board approved the pre-development letter of intent for the district’s first phase, as well as App State’s pursuit of P3 agreements for both the energy system and the faculty and staff housing.

App State ceremoniously broke ground on the first phase of development for the Innovation District — beginning with the STEM Academic Building and Greenhouses project — on March 25, 2022.

This image, taken July 15, 2026, shows App State’s STEM Academic Building, part of Phase 1 development at the university’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig

As of this July 15, 2026, photo, App State’s STEM Academic Building is more than halfway finished. This building, part of Phase 1 development at the university’s Innovation District, is located on the Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig

A panoramic view of Phase 1 development at App State’s Innovation District on the Boone campus, including the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing project, the STEM Academic Building and the control building for the district’s energy system. Photo by Wes Craig

A panoramic view of development at App State’s Innovation District on the Boone campus. As of this July 15, 2026, photo, all facilities of the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing project are now open to residents. Photo by Wes Craig

A panoramic view of Phase 1 development at App State’s Innovation District on the Boone campus. This image was taken June 3, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig

This image, taken June 3, 2026, provides a front-facing view of App State’s STEM Academic Building, which is under construction as part of Phase 1 development at the university’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig

A rear view of App State’s STEM Academic Building, which is under construction as part of Phase 1 development at the university’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. This image was taken June 3, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig

This aerial photo, taken June 3, 2026, shows the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing at App State’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig

A view of the entrance to App State's Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing, located at the Innovation District on App State's Boone campus. This image was taken June 3, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig

Construction progress continues for the STEM Academic Building at App State’s Innovation District on the Boone campus, as shown in this aerial photo, taken May 12, 2026. The site’s three wind turbines are visible at left in the image. Photo by Wes Craig

Phase 1 development at App State's Innovation District is pictured in this aerial image, taken May 12, 2026. The district's STEM Academic Building, visible at center in the background, is slated for completion in 2027. Photo by Wes Craig

This aerial image, taken May 12, 2026, shows the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing facilities at App State’s Innovation District on the Boone campus. The first Innovation Ridge building opened to residents on Aug. 16, 2025, and the remaining four buildings have received occupancy certification. Photo by Wes Craig

Construction continues for the STEM Academic Building at App State's Innovation District, as shown in this aerial image, taken April 14, 2026. The facility is more than 50% finished as of April. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Finishing touches are being applied to the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing facilities at App State's Innovation District, with the four remaining buildings due to open to residents in late spring 2026. This aerial photo of the housing community was taken April 14, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction progress for the STEM Academic Building at App State's Innovation District is shown in this image, taken April 14, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Pictured March 3, 2026, construction work, including roof installation, continues for App State’s STEM Academic Building — part of Phase 1 development at the university’s Innovation District. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction work continues for App State’s STEM Academic Building, as shown in this aerial image, taken March 3, 2026. App State’s targeted opening date for the facility, which is part of the university’s Innovation District, is August 2027. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction work is nearing completion for the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing community at App State’s Innovation District, as shown in this aerial photo, taken March 3, 2026. The first Innovation Ridge building opened to residents on Aug. 16, 2025, and the four remaining facilities are scheduled to come online in spring 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

App State’s Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing community — construction for which is nearing completion — is shown in this aerial image, taken March 3, 2026. Also pictured, in front of and to the left of the housing facilities, are the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels installed at the site as part of the district’s energy system. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction work for the STEM Academic Building at App State's Innovation District is more than 40% finished, as of February 2026. This aerial image of the facility was taken Feb. 11, 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction work continues for Phase 1 development at App State’s Innovation District, as shown in this aerial image, taken Feb. 11, 2026. The Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing community is pictured in the foreground, and the district’s STEM Academic Building and control building for the district’s energy system are visible in the background. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction of App State’s STEM Academic Building, located at the Innovation District, is more than 40% completed as of January 2026. This aerial photo, taken Jan. 21, 2026, shows exterior construction work underway for the facility. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

An aerial image of construction progress for the first development phase at App State’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. Visible in the foreground of the image, taken Jan. 21, 2026, is the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing project, and shown at center, near the top of the image, are the STEM Academic Building and control building for the district’s energy system. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction work continues for the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing facilities (foreground) and STEM Academic Building (near top left of image) located at App State's Innovation District on the Boone campus, as shown in this aerial image, which was taken Nov. 24, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Pictured on Nov. 24, 2025, App State's STEM Academic Building, part of the Phase 1 development at the university's Innovation District, is nearly 35% finished, as of November. Exterior work for the facility is shown in this aerial image. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

This aerial view of App State Innovation District, taken Nov. 5, 2025, shows construction progress for the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing facilities (foreground) and STEM Academic Building (near top left of image) — both components of the district’s Phase 1 development. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction continues for the STEM Academic Building at App State’s Innovation District, as shown in this image, taken Nov. 5, 2025. The facility is nearly 35% finished, as of November. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

An aerial view of the construction progress for Phase 1 development at App State's Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. Visible in this image, taken Oct. 21, 2025, are the district's faculty and staff housing facilities, the structural frame of the STEM Academic Building and the control building for the district’s energy system, as well as the three wind turbines that are part of the energy system. Click on the image for a full view. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

This aerial image, taken Oct. 21, 2025, shows the construction work underway for the STEM Academic Building (center) and faculty and staff housing facilities (right) at App State’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. The STEM Academic Building is slated for completion in 2027, and the first building of the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing project opened to residents on Aug. 16, 2025. The remaining four Innovation Ridge buildings are scheduled to come online in spring 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

An overhead view of the STEM Academic Building at App State’s Innovation District, which is nearly 30% finished, as of October 2025. App State’s targeted opening date for the facility is 2027. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

An aerial view of App State’s Innovation District on the Boone campus, shown Sept. 2, 2025. Construction is underway for the district’s STEM Academic Building (shown at top center of image), and the control building for the district’s energy system is shown at the top right of the image. The first building of the site’s Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing project, shown at left, opened to residents on Aug. 16, 2025. The remaining four Innovation Ridge buildings are scheduled to come online in spring 2026. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction progress for the STEM Academic Building — the first academic building of App State’s Innovation District — is shown in this aerial image, taken Sept. 2, 2025. As of September 2025, workers have installed about 50% of the facility’s structural steel. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

This aerial image, taken Sept. 2, 2025, shows the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing project at App State’s Innovation District. The first Innovation Ridge building, shown at right in the foreground, opened to residents on Aug. 16, 2025, and construction is nearing completion for the second Innovation Ridge building, shown at left in the foreground. Innovation Ridge, once completed, will consist of five multistory buildings housing 156 faculty and staff units that offer one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

This aerial view of App State’s Innovation District, taken Aug. 19, 2025, shows the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing facilities at the site (top left), along with the control building for the district’s energy system (bottom left) and the future site of the district’s STEM Academic Building (center). Construction of the STEM Academic Building is underway and the facility is slated for completion in August 2027. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

An aerial view of construction work taking place for the STEM Academic Building at App State’s Innovation District, which was taken Aug. 19, 2025. Half of the building’s first-floor concrete slab has been poured and the installation of under-slab utilities is ongoing, in preparation for pouring the second half of the slab. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

One of the five facilities that compose the Innovation Ridge faculty and staff housing community at App State’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. The first residents of Innovation Ridge moved into their residences on Aug. 16, 2025. This image was taken Aug. 19, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of App State’s Innovation District, as of July 9, 2025. Development is underway for the district’s Phase 1 components — the STEM Academic Building, the faculty and staff housing facilities and the control building for the district’s energy system. App State’s targeted opening date for the district’s STEM Academic Building is 2026, with occupancy of the faculty and staff housing slated for fall 2025. The initial components of the district’s energy system were made fully operational in summer 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Shown in this aerial photo, taken July 9, 2025, are the control building for the energy system that will power the facilities of App State's Innovation District (pictured at right), as well as construction work taking place for the district's STEM Academic Building (shown at left). Two of the district's three wind turbines are visible in the background. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

Construction continues for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State's Innovation District, as shown in this July 9, 2025, photo. Photo by Wes Craig and Troy Tuttle

This aerial photo, taken June 11, 2025, shows the faculty and staff housing (far right) under construction as part of Phase 1 development at App State’s Innovation District, as well as the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels that have been installed adjacent to the housing facilities, as part of the district’s energy system. Photo by Wes Craig and Kyla Willoughby

A view of the foundation work that is underway for the STEM Academic Building at App State’s Innovation District (shown at top center of the image). The District Energy Building, which will serve as the control center for the district’s energy system components, is visible at bottom right of the image. This image was taken June 11, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Kyla Willoughby

Construction continues for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State’s Innovation District, as shown in this aerial photo, taken June 11, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Kyla Willoughby

This panoramic view of App State’s Innovation District, taken May 7, 2025, shows the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels that are being installed adjacent to the district’s faculty and staff housing facilities, which are under construction. Both components are part of Phase 1 development at the Innovation District. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Taken May 7, 2025, this photo offers a view of construction work taking place outside the District Energy System (DES) Building, which will serve as the control center for the district’s energy system. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

An aerial view of the faculty and staff housing facilities that are under construction as part of Phase 1 development at App State’s Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. This aerial photo was taken May 7, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

The future site of App State’s STEM Academic Building, located at the Innovation District on Bodenheimer Drive, on the university’s Boone campus. Foundation work for the facility began in late April 2025. This aerial photo was taken May 7, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of the Innovation District at App State’s Boone campus, as of April 9, 2025. Shown at left are the faculty and staff housing facilities that are under construction as part of the district’s Phase 1 development, and visible at center, workers are beginning the installation of ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels, which are a component of the district’s energy system. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction continues for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State’s Innovation District, as shown in this April 9, 2025, photo. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Pictured April 9, 2025, workers install the frames that will support the ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels at App State’s Innovation District. These panels, along with a geothermal heating and cooling system and two new wind turbines, are part of the energy system that will power the district’s facilities. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

This aerial image, taken March 11, 2025, shows the wind turbines located at App State's Innovation District, as well as the District Energy System (DES) Building, which will serve as a control center for the components of the district’s energy system. Shown at center and adjacent to the DES Building is the future site of the district's STEM Academic Building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of App State's Innovation District, taken March 11, 2025. Construction continues for the district's first development phase, which includes a STEM Academic Building, faculty and staff housing and a energy system that will power the district's facilities. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

An aerial view of construction progress for the faculty and staff housing facilities that are part of Phase 1 development at App State's Innovation District, located on the Boone campus. This image was taken March 11, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

The three windmills at App State’s Innovation District, located at the top of Bodenheimer Drive on the Boone campus, are shown in this aerial photo, taken Feb. 6, 2025. Pictured at center is the site’s original, 100 kW windmill that was installed in 2009, which is flanked by two new windmills that were installed in early 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of App State’s Innovation District, taken Feb. 6, 2025. The district’s faculty and staff housing facilities, shown at left, are under construction and slated for occupancy later this year. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction continues on schedule for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State’s Innovation District, as shown in this Feb. 6, 2025, photo. The housing facilities, as well as a STEM Academic Building and a district energy system, are part of the district’s first development phase. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

This aerial image, taken Jan. 17, 2025, shows a portion of the Innovation District site at App State's Boone campus, with the district's wind turbines and District Energy System Building visible at right and one of the faculty and staff housing facilities pictured in the bottom left corner of the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction progress for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken Jan. 17, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

An aerial view of the faculty and staff housing facilities under construction as part of Phase 1 development at App State's Innovation District. This photo was taken Jan. 17, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

This aerial image, taken Jan. 17, 2025, shows a portion of the Innovation District site at App State's Boone campus, with the district's wind turbines and District Energy System Building visible at right and one of the faculty and staff housing facilities pictured in the bottom left corner of the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction progress for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken Jan. 17, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

An aerial view of the faculty and staff housing facilities under construction as part of Phase 1 development at App State's Innovation District. This photo was taken Jan. 17, 2025. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A front view of the District Energy System Building, which is under construction as part of Phase 1 development at App State’s Innovation District. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities Operations

This photo, taken in December 2024, shows construction progress for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State’s Innovation District. This housing is part of the district’s Phase 1 development. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities Operations

An aerial view of construction progress for the faculty and staff housing facilities at App State’s Innovation District, as of Nov. 18, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction work for one of two new wind turbines at App State’s Innovation District is shown in this aerial image, taken Nov. 18, 2024. The turbines are part of the energy system that, once completed, will power the district’s facilities with solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy technologies. App State’s Jim and Bettie Smith Baseball Stadium is visible at right. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Two new wind turbines are being installed at App State’s Innovation District, as part of the district’s energy system. This image offers a close-up view of one of the turbine bases. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities Operations

This aerial view shows construction progress for the first development phase at App State’s Innovation District, as of Nov. 18, 2024. Vertical construction of the district’s faculty and staff housing facilities is visible at center. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Installation of two new wind turbines has begun at App State’s Innovation District, as shown in this aerial photo, taken Nov. 18, 2024. The turbines are part of the energy system that, once completed, will power the district’s facilities with solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy technologies. The existing wind turbine located at App State’s Innovation District is visible at right. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Pictured Nov. 20, 2024, workers assemble one of two new wind turbines at App State’s Innovation District. The turbines are part of the energy system that, once completed, will power the district’s facilities. The system will feature solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy technologies. Photo by Troy Tuttle

A worker, left, is pictured next to the rotor blades of one of two new wind turbines that are being installed at the App State Innovation District, as part of the district’s energy system. The system, once completed, will feature solar, wind and geothermal renewable energy technologies that will power the district’s facilities. Photo by Troy Tuttle

Vertical construction is underway for the Phase 1 faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District site, as shown in this Sept. 10, 2024 photo. Photo by Wes Craig

A street-level view of the construction that is underway for Phase 1 faculty and staff housing at App State's Innovation District. This image was taken Sept. 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities and Operations

An aerial view of the Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of Sept. 10, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig

This image, taken Sept. 11, 2024, shows the interior work taking place for the District Energy System Building at App State's Innovation District. Photo courtesy of App State Facilities and Operations

An aerial view of Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of Aug. 13, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig

Foundation work for the multistory buildings that will house App State faculty/staff at the university's Innovation District — part of the district's Phase 1 development — is shown in this July 2024 aerial photo. Photo submitted

This panoramic photo, taken July 15, 2024, shows the construction progress for the first phase of development at App State's Innovation District. The control building for the district’s energy system, which is under construction as part of Phase 1 development, is visible near the top center of the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Phase 1 construction work at App State's Innovation District progresses on schedule, as shown in this aerial image taken June 19, 2024. The control building for the district’s energy system — part of the district's first development phase — is shown at right in the image. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of the Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of June 19, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction work is underway for the Innovation District's energy system control building, as shown in this June 19, 2024, photo. Workers are pictured installing roofing panels to the building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken May 16, 2024. The steel structural frame for the district's energy system control building is visible at right. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of the Phase 1 construction work taking place at App State's Innovation District, located at the top of Bodenheimer Drive on the Boone campus. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

The structural steel frame is in place for the control building for the district’s energy system, as shown in this May, 16, 2024, photo. Work to apply the exterior of the building will soon begin. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Workers are shown installing framing for the energy system control building at App State’s Innovation District in this photo, taken April 25, 2024. Appalachian State University photo

Construction is underway for the energy system control building at App State's Innovation District, as shown in this aerial photo, taken April 23, 2024. The foundation for the building has been set, and workers are pictured installing underground utilities for the building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction progress for the first phase of development at App State's Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken April 23, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

A panoramic view of Phase 1 construction progress at App State's Innovation District, as of March 12, 2024. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

Construction progress on the first phase of development for App State’s Innovation District is shown in this aerial photo, taken Feb. 20, 2024. Recent construction work at the site includes the drilling of geothermal wells, which are part of a geothermal system that will serve both the faculty and staff housing and the STEM Academic Building. Photo by Wes Craig and Chase Reynolds

An artist’s rendering of the control building for the App State Innovation District’s energy system. The building’s glass facade will allow Innovation District visitors to view the system’s geothermal heat pump chillers. The building will also feature an immersion room, with displays that highlight the system’s wind and solar energy production. Graphic courtesy of Lord Aeck Sargent

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How is it funded?

The district’s energy system is supported through a public-private partnership (P3) that does not rely upon state funds, or any capital from the university.

Who will benefit?

All those who visit and take part in App State’s Innovation District — from faculty, staff and students to partner organizations in the local and regional communities — will benefit from the energy system component of the project, as the system will power all district facilities.

Additionally, faculty, staff and students will have opportunities to engage in research focused on the renewable technologies of the district’s energy system.

How does it support App State strategic priorities?

The district’s energy system supports the following strategic priorities of the university:

• Providing Exceptional Educational Experiences — specifically by leveraging technology to support teaching and learning.
• Advancing Research, Innovation and Creativity — through advancing knowledge and promoting discovery and the application of findings that benefit the region, state, nation and world.
• Strengthening Resilience and Sustainability — the system’s renewable technologies will serve to strengthen the university’s culture of sustainability and the resilience of its campus community.
• Advancing Local, Regional and Global Engagement — the Innovation District is expected to have a lasting and powerful impact on the entire region, broadening economic development opportunities across Northwestern North Carolina.

How does it support UNC System Goals and Metrics?

Through the Innovation District project, powered by an energy efficient system, App State can produce more graduates in critical workforce areas for North Carolina — identified in the UNC System’s strategic plan as STEM, health sciences, K-12 education and emerging workforce areas — who are capable of addressing the needs of the world.

By powering the Innovation District, the energy system aligns with these System goals:

• Student Success — through research engagement with the system, App State students will develop competencies such as critical and creative thinking, technology proficiency, resilience and collaboration, among others.
• Economic Impact and Community Engagement — the Innovation District is expected to have a lasting and powerful impact on the entire region, broadening economic development opportunities across Northwestern North Carolina.