Gov. Josh Stein requested $1.07 billion Monday for immediate funding to rebuild western North Carolina after Helene hit the state last September, Stein’s office said.

What You Need To Know

  •  N.C. Gov. Josh Stein has requested $1.07 billion in immediate federal funding to rebuild western North Carolina

  •  Stein's plan includes economic strengthening, rebuilding homes, repairing infrastructure, supporting farmers and fixing roads

  •  Learn more about the full details of the budget request

This request is separate from the budget for the fiscal year. Stein expressed the urgency needed for these funds by saying, “We cannot ask the residents who are suffering today to wait until next fiscal year for relief. Their needs are dire and immediate; the state’s response should be immediate.”

The budget request includes funds to strengthen the economy, get people back into homes faster, repair infrastructure, support farmers, fix private roads and bridges, remove debris and help school children stay at grade level, Stein’s office said.

Stein called for this funding at MANNA FoodBank, a nonprofit organization that works in 16 western North Carolina counties with over 300 locations.

“MANNA has been an essential resource for the people it serves, and its work has become even more critical since Hurricane Helene struck,” Stein said. “As these organizations continue the daily work of supporting their community, we have a responsibility to support them.”  

The Office of Gov. Josh Stein provided an overview of some of the programs allocated in the budget:

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 to expedite 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

Caring For 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

The full details of the budget request can be found here.

“The people of western North Carolina have suffered tremendously since Helene swept through,” Stein said.

“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. We can’t forget western North Carolina — and I will do everything in my power to ensure that the state shows up for them.” 

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