NORTH CAROLINA — The state governor announced Monday he is requesting a billion dollars from legislators in a bill to continue forward momentum on recovery efforts in the western part of North Carolina.
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Numerous areas of the region were devastated last September by Helene’s arrival, which was downgraded to a tropical storm from a hurricane by the time it reached the area. Still, it brought historic rainfall resulting in landslides and devastation, wiping out numerous homes, businesses, roads and bridges, with 107 people perishing.
It’s estimated to result in $60 billion in damage. The state legislature has approved more $1 billion in bills so far.
“I appreciate what the General Assembly has done so far, but it’s time for us to step up and get them the money they need right now to rebuild,” Stein said.
Stein is proposing $1.07 billion but wants to pass a bill rather than wait for the next budget, to help boost the economy ahead of tourist season. He said 43% of small businesses affected by the storm have not reopened.
Funding, Stein said, needed to be prioritized to ensure businesses can rebuild and reopen by summer. He added it was of grave importance to be up and running by October and December, the two months that see the highest rates of tourism in the western region.
“Taking on additional business debt is simply not the answer,” he said in the press conference. “I’m proposing grants for businesses that suffered physical damage or significant economic.
Of the $1 billion, he has allocated $150 million for two grant programs to go to affected businesses. As well, he suggests $100 million for revenue replacement grants to go toward local governments and municipalities that funneled money to immediate disaster response.
$150 million also has been put toward people’s home rebuilding — approximately 5,100 needing repair or reconstruction.
$75 million will go toward private road and bridge repairs as well. It’s estimated around 180 bridges remain out in the western part of the region.
According to Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, the Senate anticipates considering Hurricane Helene-specific legislation in the coming weeks. Berger has received Stein’s proposal.
Stein made his announcement from MANNA Food Bank. The nonprofit, located in Mills River, serves 16 counties in the region and works with 300 community organizations. During normal operations not impacted by emergencies, it helps 158,000 people a month.
Manna’s facility was impacted by flood waters but was able to replenish goods due to donations. Part of Stein’s request includes funneling $20 million to food banks in the region.
“MANNA has been an essential resource for the people it serves, and its work has become even more critical since Helene struck,” Stein said. “As these organizations continue the daily work of supporting their community, we have a responsibility to support them.”
Joining him was Manna Executive Director Claire Neal. She iterated the struggles continue for the people of western North Carolina five months since the storm’s Sept. 27 arrival.
“Our local economies are struggling, and we know that right now people are having to make pretty impossible choices,” Neal said. “People are choosing whether to fill their prescription or pay their rent. They’re choosing whether to turn the heat on or put gas in their car to get to work. These are choices that no one should ever have to make.”
Below is how the governor plans to allocate funding, if received:
Strengthening the Economy
- $150 million across two grant programs for businesses that suffered physical damage or significant economic loss.
- $30 million for grants to small towns and counties to rebuild downtowns and other business districts.
- $15 million to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s VisitNC division to support North Carolina’s tourism industry and to attract travelers and new businesses to the area.
- $100 million for revenue replacement grants to support local governments whose resources were exhausted by immediate disaster response, as they work to keep water and sewer services going, pay law enforcement, and support school operations
Providing Safe and Warm Places to Live
- $150 million for a Helene Home Construction and Repair Program to immediately start rebuilding the estimated 5,100 homes that will need to be rebuilt post-Helene.
- $25 million to support people struggling to afford rent, mortgage, or utility costs because their home or livelihood was affected.
- $10 million for Back@Home, a program that supports people who are without homes and provides them with case management support.
- $50 million in incentives for affordable housing construction.
- $25 million to fill in gaps for home repairs that are not covered by FEMA.
Repairing Infrastructure
- $75 million to repair private roads and bridges.
- $25 million to clean up local parks and greenways in affected areas
- $12 million for debris removal
- $10 million to provide backup power for emergency operations and other critical infrastructure.
- $4 million to repair septic systems
Supporting Farmers
- $15 million for grants to farmers for verified uninsured losses to crops, livestock, aquaculture, and infrastructure.
- $100 million to help farmers clear debris and repair their land and waterways so they can resume production and protect against future flooding
- $19.4 million to prepare for the wildfire season and mitigate future risk
Families and Children
- $34.2 million for school districts that missed 15 or more days of school to provide summer instruction and other support services to ensure students continue to perform at grade level on End of Grade and End of Course assessments.
- $20 million to fund food banks in affected areas.
- $2 million to help college students who are struggling to pay tuition, fees, or emergency expenses that might force them to drop out of school at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State University, and Western Carolina University.
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