Meet Owen

My name is Owen Carson, and I've lived in Brevard for over two decades. During that time, I've experienced first-hand the struggle that young folks and families face to make this place their home.

Owen Carson for Transylvania County Commissioner

Education
2004-2008

B.S. Environmental Science

Concentration in Ecology

Geology Minor

Brevard College

Volunteering
2019-2024
2022-present
2018-present
2020-present

Transylvania Natural Resources Council (Chair 2021-2024)

City of Brevard Public Works & Utilities Committee

Conserving Carolina (2018-present: Stewardship Committee; 2024-present, Board of Directors)

Ecusta Football Club (TYSA) - Head Coach, U-12 Girls Academy

Owen Carson has lived in Brevard for over two decades. He earned a Bachelor of Science in environmental science, with a concentration in ecology and a minor in geology, from Brevard College. He volunteers as head coach of the U-12 Girls Academy at Ecusta Football Club.

2010-present

Ecologist, Team Manager, Co-owner
Equinox Environmental

Manage the Ecological Services Team at Equinox, an Asheville-based firm serving the southern Appalachian region, helping protect and restore land, water, and habitats, and helping people develop in an ecologically minded and responsible way.

Ecologist, Team Manager, Co-owner
Equinox Environmental

Manage the Ecological Services Team at Equinox, an Asheville-based firm serving the southern Appalachian region, helping protect and restore land, water, and habitats, and helping people develop in an ecologically minded and responsible way.

Employment
2007-2010

Manager - Produce Dept.
Food Matters Market (formerly Poppies)

Managed all aspects of the produce department, including internal obligations (inventory, revenue reporting, purchasing, sales, etc.), as well as managerial duties (hiring/firing, employee evaluations, opening/closing, etc.). Also maintained interdepartmental relationships.

Owen Carson works as an ecologist, team manager, and co-owner of Equinox Environmental, an Asheville-based firm serving the southern Appalachian region. He previously managed the produce department at Food Matters Market, formerly known as Poppies.

Owen Carson (Transylvania County Board of Commissioners, North ...

Owen is a first-time candidate for political office.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Widening Economic Opportunities

I support diversifying economic opportunities in the county, including the Ecusta Trail, but while outdoor recreation is vital and integral to our economic health, we also need to court industries that could help replace what was lost with DuPont and Ecusta plants. Taking action to incentivize local business is critical.

Supports diversifying economic opportunities through outdoor recreation, attracting industries, and incentives for local businesses.

- Supports diversifying economic opportunities through outdoor recreation, attracting industries, and incentives for local businesses.

Economy

Supporting Schools & Educators

Fixing our schools is vitally important, as many still lack adequate resources, causing students and staff to suffer. But it is equally important to invest in our educators, some of whom are increasingly moving their careers to other counties or states for better pay and support. I will work with teachers and the Board of Education to address livability and promote retention.

Plans to work with teachers and the Board of Education on educator quality of life and retention.

- Plans to work with teachers and the Board of Education on educator quality of life and retention.

Public Services

Improving Affordability

We can do more to promote affordability - from housing to wages, it is a commissioner's responsibility to take actionable steps towards helping citizens survive and thrive. I will lean into the new Housing Strategy and identify places where the county can move beyond planning and take real action to move the needle.

Owen Carson: Mr. Carson asked about the status of the County Planner position and whether the Board
intends to fill it. He stated that he had been told the position was being advertised but had not been able to
locate the posting or find related discussion in meeting minutes. He expressed concern about the
implementation of the Housing Plan commissioned by the County in November 2025, noting that the
consultant identified numerous near-term, high-priority action items. He asked whether the Board had acted
on those items and stated that overseeing implementation would typically fall under the responsibilities of a
County Planner rather than a volunteer planning board. Mr. Carson encouraged the Board to hire a County
Planner to help advance the Housing Plan and ensure progress for the community. He also requested that
advisory board meeting minutes be posted online to improve transparency. He concluded by announcing that
he is running for a seat on the County Commission.

02/09/2026 Regular Meeting Minutes - Transylvania County Board of Commissioners

Plans to advance the county Housing Strategy, including hiring a county planner to oversee its implementation.

- Plans to advance the county Housing Strategy, including hiring a county planner to oversee its implementation.

Housing & Urban Development

As of January 5, 2026, Owen Carson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Restoring Collaboration

In a rural county dominated by public land and with many infrastructure challenges, close partnership and coordination between the City of Brevard, Town of Rosman, and Transylvania County is imperative to producing sustainable, long-term outcomes for taxpayers. I will seek to improve intergovernmental relationships and build capacity with community partners.

Plans to improve coordination among Transylvania County, Brevard, Rosman, and community partners on infrastructure challenges.

- Plans to improve coordination among Transylvania County, Brevard, Rosman, and community partners on infrastructure challenges.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Though this recommendation did not mention the impact of climate change on extreme rainfall events, Carson, speaking for himself rather than the Council, said he believes it will be dramatic enough to create long-term changes to future development patterns in Transylvania.

“A warming climate . . . is leading to a higher frequency of storms like Helene that boast a higher intensity and sustained duration of precipitation,” he wrote. “I think that in the not-too-distant future, climate change will hem us into the band of land uphill of the 500-year floodplain.”

The story of Helene: Extreme flooding and an inspiring community response

On Aug. 22, a TNRC subcommittee met to finalize a draft resolution proposing wild and scenic status for the North Fork. Carson indicated that the council will discuss the resolution at its next public meeting on Sept. 8.

“The goal is to get a passing vote and then present it to the Board of Commissioners at their meeting,” Carson said.

Carson added that the council will also seek support from the Rosman Board of Alderman and the unincorporated community of Balsam Grove.

A River's Destiny: The Battle for Wild and Scenic Status

Preserving Appalachian Identity

Transylvania has always been characterized by Appalachian culture and tradition. As our region rapidly changes, the agriculture, music, dance, art, and sport that define us is in growing need of our attention and support. I strongly support preservation of farms and working lands.

Protecting Natural Resources

Our natural resources and public lands are cornerstone to our identity and vitality; they should be fiercely defended, treated with utmost respect, and stewarded so that they can be enjoyed by future generations and continue to sustain our way of life. I support land conservation and keeping public lands in the hands of the people.

Backed raising flood-elevation standards for new structures to improve access to flood insurance and prepare for future events.

Which means it is not too soon for the county to think about bolstering its Flood Damage Protection Ordinance, including by raising its minimal requirement that new structures be built one foot above the level reached by 100-year floods, said Owen Carson, chair of the Transylvania Natural Resources Council.

In the aftermath of Fred, the Council recommended that the county raise this standard, Carson wrote in an email this week, to “allow us better access to flood insurance so we could be better prepared for future events, which are absolutely coming.”

Believes climate change will increase intense storms and limit future development to areas above the 500-year floodplain.

As Natural Resources Council chair, sought council approval of a resolution supporting wild and scenic status for the North Fork.

Supports preserving farms and working lands.

Supports land conservation and keeping public lands publicly owned.

- Believes climate change will increase intense storms and limit future development to areas above the 500-year floodplain.
- As Natural Resources Council chair, sought council approval of a resolution supporting wild and scenic status for the North Fork.
- Supports preserving farms and working lands.
- Supports land conservation and keeping public lands publicly owned.

Energy & the Environment

Twitter

Owen Carson

- Supports preserving farms and working lands.
- Supports land conservation and keeping public lands publicly owned.

Owen Carson's campaign for Transylvania County Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

A River's Destiny: The battle for wild and scenic status - Carolina ...

Hurricane Helene: The long road to recovery in Brevard, North ...

Supports diversifying economic opportunities in the county by incentivizing local businesses and attracting industries to replace jobs lost from the DuPont and Ecusta plants.

Supports promoting affordability in housing and wages, emphasizing actionable steps to help citizens thrive.

Supports investing in educators and addressing school resource needs to promote teacher retention.

Aims to improve intergovernmental relationships and build capacity with community partners to address infrastructure challenges in a rural county.

Supports land conservation and believes public lands should be fiercely defended and kept in the hands of the people for future generations.

Supports preservation of farms and working lands to maintain Appalachian culture and tradition.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Bryan O'Neill

George C. Sutherland

Kevin Howell

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county.