Governor Stein Announces $40M in Grants for Disaster Relief and Rebuilding

Significant Funding Allocated for Disaster Recovery in Western North Carolina

In a recent meeting held in Marion, Governor Josh Stein unveiled a substantial financial commitment to bolster disaster recovery efforts in Western North Carolina. Over $24 million in mitigation grants from the Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund, alongside $16 million allocated to volunteer organizations, aims to strengthen the region’s resilience against natural disasters. These initiatives focus on flood mitigation, infrastructure resilience, and housing reconstruction, showcasing a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness and recovery.

Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, stating, “Western North Carolina is coming back strong from Hurricane Helene, and we have learned that it will take all levels of government working alongside our private and nonprofit partners to both recover and prepare for the next natural disaster. These grants will help support long-term recovery efforts and help communities withstand future storms.”

The allocated funds are set to enhance a variety of critical areas. These include wastewater and water treatment infrastructure improvements, flood mitigation projects, relocation of essential infrastructure to minimize flood risks, and the design and engineering of transportation projects. Additionally, the grants will support community warning systems, dam restoration, and the installation of flood gauges for water level monitoring. These efforts were identified as priorities by local leaders in the American Flood Coalition’s Western North Carolina Recovery and Resilience Partnership.

NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray commented on the initiative, stating, “North Carolina Emergency Management is excited to see these funding opportunities come to fruition as they will increase resilience against the impacts from future storms across our state. These projects once again showcase the whole-of-community effort that is underway to assist communities with mitigating risk and impacts from future events and in rebuilding stronger.”

2025 Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund Grants Recipients:

City of Conover – NE Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Pump Station Improvement Architecture and Engineering ($542,000)

City of Fayetteville – Locks Creek Road and Culvert Flood Mitigation ($999,135)

City of Greenville – Greenbriar Flood Mitigation ($1,900,000)

City of Hendersonville – Wash Creek Stormwater Improvement ($2,000,000)

City of Marion – Clinchfield Lift Station Bridge Replacement ($1,436,000)

Clyde Volunteer Fire Department – Land and Site Development for Relocation ($1,000,000)

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians – Flood Warning Alert System Expansion ($600,000)

Henderson County Habitat – Shuey Knolls Culvert Replacement Mitigation ($75,000)

Lake Junaluska – Debris Collection System (Dam Protection Boom) ($150,000)

Lake Logan – Cecil Volunteer Fire Department Relocation & Site Development ($650,000)

McDowell County – Stream Flood Gauge Initiative ($132,500)

Mitchell County – Transportation Authority Facility Replacement ($800,000)

Polk County – Flood Gauge Architecture and Engineering ($94,750)

Town of Banner Elk – Police Department Flood Mitigation/Relocation ($2,000,000)

Town of Black Mountain – Flat Creek Flood Mitigation ($1,938,000)

Town of Boonville – Tanyard Creek Drainage & Wastewater Treatment Plant Resiliency ($890,240)

Town of Clyde – Wastewater Infrastructure ($2,000,000)

Town of Hot Springs – Spring Creek Bridge Design and Stream Bank Stabilization ($1,182,500)

Town of Lake Lure – Dam Failure Impact Assessment ($194,200)

Town of Leland – Low Country Boulevard Culvert Improvement ($400,000)

Town of Matthews – Restoration of Dual High-Hazard Dams Architecture and Engineering ($466,000)

Town of Riverbend – Water Well Replacement ($1,610,000)

Town of Tryon – Jervey Street Sewer Replacement ($239,800) and Sour Ridge & Highway 176 Water Main Replacement ($953,805)

Yancey County – Emergency Communication Resiliency Project ($1,865,274)

For more details on the 2025 Disaster Relief and Mitigation Fund Grants, please visit our website.

Volunteer Organizations Active in Rebuilds Disaster Grant Program Recipients:

All Hands & Hearts – Resilient Repairs for Vulnerable Households ($246,473)

Appalachia Service Project – Western North Carolina Helene Recovery Program ($1,500,000)

Ashe County – Ashe County Recovery & Restoration ($84,000)

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity – Disaster Home Repairs for Helene Impacts Homeowners in Western North Carolina ($2,432,000)

Avery County Long-Term Recovery Group – Essential Home Repairs ($100,000)

Baptists on Mission – Hurricane Helene Rebuild ($3,450,033)

Camp Grier – Old Fort Strong Repair & Restoration Initiative ($250,000)

Fairview Strong – Forever Fairview ($40,000)

Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders – Western North Carolina Repair and Reconstruction ($1,800,000)

Haywood Habitat for Humanity – Neighborhood Recovery and Mitigation ($482,494)

Housing Assistance Coalition – Disaster Home Repair Program ($475,000)

Operation Helo – Restoring Roots & Rebuilding Lives ($1,540,000)

ReGroup of WNC, a chapter of ReGroup Carolinas – Western North Carolina Hurricane Helene Recovery ($500,000)

Rutherford Housing Partnership – Helene Repair & Reconstruction Project ($200,000)

Transylvania Habitat for Humanity – Helene Recovery: Railroad Ave Workflow ($1,400,000)

WNC Conference of the United Methodist Church – Helene Response & Recovery ($1,500,000)