Stein Announces Grants for Continuing Helene Recovery and a Comprehensive Plan for Rebuilding
Observing the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene’s devastation of western North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein announced a second round of recovery grants to communities and released a comprehensive plan for long-term rebuilding.
Last Wednesday, Governor Stein and his Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) announced an ambitious 10-year “Marshall Plan” for the long-term rebuilding of the economy for the region devasted by the climate catastrophe of Hurricane Helene two years ago. The Marshall Plan comparison refers to the American plan which financed the reconstruction of Europe after World War II.
“While the headlines about Helene have faded over the last two years, the work remains. Western North Carolinians know best how to keep moving forward,” said Stein. “That is why this plan takes the priorities the region set for itself and puts the state’s weight behind them. Together, we can build an economy that’s stronger and more diversified than the one the storm hit – because that is what a full recovery requires.” The plan was designed with input from 28 counties, the Qualla Boundary, five regional councils of government, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations.
Communities’ Plans Must Be The Priorities
Emphasizing the inclusive and bipartisan input on the plan, Stein appointed Sharon Decker, NC Commerce Secretary under former Gov. Pat McCrory, as GROW NC’s senior advisor for long-term planning. “Western North Carolina has never lacked plans or ideas,” said Decker. “What we’ve lacked is one place where the region’s own priorities line up with the money to back them and the people who can act on them. That’s what this plan gives western North Carolinians, and it’s why we didn’t write it in Raleigh. Counties, chambers, community colleges, business owners, and councils of government built it, and the work now belongs to them.”
See the full Western North Carolina Economic Recovery Plan.
State Grants for Ongoing Recovery
On Friday, Stein’s office released the other Hurricane Helene rebuilding-related announcement of the week: the opening of applications for a $65 million second round of state grants for ongoing recovery efforts. The grants are open to units of local government, federally recognized tribes, and volunteer fire departments with infrastructure needs created by Hurricane Helene, and in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated region.
“Local governments and volunteer fire departments have been essential to rebuilding our communities since Hurricane Helene, and I thank the General Assembly for investing in them,” said Governor Stein. “Continued funding for this program will help towns and counties across western North Carolina strengthen critical infrastructure and provide resources to the volunteer fire departments that keep people safe.”