Mountain Air Named North Carolina's 'Community of the Year' by State Association

(BURNSVILLE, N.C.) — Throughout the economic uncertainty of the past five years, one private mountain golf community has not only survived, but thrived.

A short, half-hour drive from storied Asheville, N.C., Mountain Air is peacefully and picturesquely nestled at nearly 5,000 feet atop Slickrock Mountain — among the highest elevations in the Tar Heel State’s historic Blue Ridge Mountains — where for more than 20 years member families and their guests have enjoyed a wealth of luxurious mountaintop amenities.

Mountain Air was recently named “Community of the Year” in the Large Mixed Use category (referring to single family lots, as well as condominiums and townhomes) by the North Carolina Chapter Community Associations Institute. The judging panel consisted of various community managers who typically hold the Professional Community Association Manager designation and they award points based upon the answers given.

“Over the past 12 months Mountain Air has been challenged as we all have by the current economic conditions, but has chosen to move ahead in spite of economic challenges,” said Mountain Air Country Club General Manager Andy Singleton. “Mountain Air has no debt. We are very financially secure. Our members own the amenities. Not many clubs can say that.”

In a joint effort between the property owners and country club, a Community Strategic Plan was developed to map out the short- and long-term needs of Mountain Air as a whole. Both groups identified their critical success factors and spent several months authoring and revising the plan based on member and management input. Factors included the condition and maintenance of the existing infrastructure, real estate sales and marketing, club membership, long range funding and planning for future improvements to the club and community.

“Mountain Air is an unpretentious club where members check their ego at the gate,” said Singleton. “They take exceptionally good care of the employees. Our membership represents a Who’s Who of the business world, but when they come to Mountain Air they want to relax and have fun. No one wears a tie. It is a relaxed community, very comfortable, where they can be themselves.”

There are currently 613 properties at Mountain Air, consisting of 210 condominium units, 123 developer-built neighborhood homes, 100 custom single-family homes, and 180 lots yet to be built upon. The Mountain Air Property Owners Association encompasses all property owners. There are 13 neighborhood associations, as well as 11 condominium associations.

Located about 30 minutes northeast of Asheville, Mountain Air can be easily reached from four commercial airports — Asheville (AVL), Charlotte (CLT), Tri-Cities (TRI) and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP). In addition, Mountain Air property owners and their guests utilize the community’s 2,875-foot runway adjacent to the clubhouse. A major expansion of US 19 makes it quick and easy for Mountain Air residents to enjoy the galleries and restaurants that make Asheville one of America’s most renowned cultural centers.

For information visit www.MountainAirCountryClub.com.