ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County’s Permits & Inspections department has been named Jurisdiction of the Year by the North Carolina Building Inspectors Association for its work following Tropical Storm Helene.

In the three months after the storm, the team completed more than 2,000 damage assessments and issued over 600 emergency repair permits, officials said.

“This award represents every single person on our team and every contribution that keeps this department running at its best,” Permits & Inspections Director Bob Haynes said in a statement. “Day in and day out, they put the work first — processing and issuing permits quickly, conducting timely inspections, and ensuring each project results in a safe building for the community.”

County officials praised the department’s dedication, professionalism and role in helping residents recover, calling the recognition a reflection of the community’s collaborative efforts.