Moody’s Ratings assigned an Aaa rating to Buncombe County’s General Obligation Bonds and an Aa1 rating to its Limited Obligation Bonds, according to an April 20 announcement from the county. The agency also affirmed the county’s Aaa issuer rating and revised its outlook from negative to stable. Kroll Bond Rating Agency gave a long-term AAA rating to the General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026A, and Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2026B.
The new ratings are important because they reflect confidence in Buncombe County’s financial management and help secure lower borrowing costs for public projects. Strong bond ratings can make it easier for local governments to invest in infrastructure and community programs.
Finance Director Melissa Moore said, “I am extremely proud of the Buncombe County team for being very intentional about fiscal responsibility and making tough decisions throughout the past year. Everyone’s dedication and teamwork truly made a difference, and this bond rating stands as a testament to our commitment to fiscal stewardship. By securing the lowest cost of capital possible, we’re able to leverage these bond funds and invest directly into our community.”
Moody’s noted that Buncombe County serves as a regional economic center in Western North Carolina. Despite challenges after Tropical Storm Helene in early fiscal year 2025, the county reported balanced general fund operations while maintaining policy targets for fund balances. “This is another milestone in our recovery,” said County Manager Avril Pinder. “Our community has worked hard to rebuild after the most devasting storm in North Carolina history. Maintaining our Aaa rating, along with an upgraded outlook is an acknowledgment of the hard work we have done.” Pinder added that strong reserves provide flexibility for ongoing recovery efforts.
In education news related to Buncombe County schools during the 2022-23 school year: among senior students taking the science portion of the ACT exam, about 28 percent were considered ready for college according to state data. For juniors taking science on the ACT during that period, approximately 30 percent met college readiness standards according to state data. In reading skills measured by ACT scores among seniors, roughly 41 percent were deemed ready according to state data, while about 43 percent of juniors achieved similar results according to state data. Math readiness was lower: around one-quarter of seniors (26 percent) met benchmarks according to state data, compared with nearly one-third (33 percent) of juniors who did so according to state data.
The affirmation of high credit ratings comes at a time when educational outcomes remain mixed but show areas where continued investment may support future improvement.
