A new partner-driven effort aims to enhance support for local governments navigating recovery from Hurricane Helene, adding structure and interactivity to help community leaders sustain the long-term work of rebuilding communities. The NC Local Government Disaster Recovery Portal brings local leaders together on a single online platform, offering a one-stop, centralized resource with opportunities for funding, training, and practical guidance. Avenues for connection and support within the platform allow local governments to ask questions and share ideas as they encounter new opportunities and challenges on their path to recovery.
Updated regularly, the portal is a reliable source of relevant and useful information—including upcoming disaster recovery office hours, identification of funding sources, a training calendar of events, contact information, and an expansive, regularly updated resource library.
The portal is a joint effort of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), UNC School of Government, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, North Carolina League of Municipalities, Lead for North Carolina, Western Carolina University, and High Country, Western Piedmont, Foothills Regional Commission, Southwestern Commission, Land-of-Sky, and Centralina Councils of Government.
“This portal enhances the support systems our local, regional, and state partners have been building since Hurricane Helene hit,” said Matt Calabria, GROW NC Director. “Local governments are driving the complicated work of long-term recovery in their communities. This disaster recovery platform is intended to streamline the processes and connections that help them reach their goals.”
Kara Millonzi, Professor of Public Law and Government at the UNC School of Government, co-led the project with Western North Carolina Recovery Navigator Amanda Stratton, incorporating the input of partners to design the portal for local governments—with resources they need at their fingertips.
Local governments play an instrumental and long-term role in disaster recovery. Damage from a storm like Hurricane Helene multiplies the normal workload for municipal and county leaders as they navigate complex grant processes, rebuilding efforts, and compliance requirements to help their communities rebuild. For local leaders, one of the hardest parts of recovery can be tracking and managing the recovery resources available for the duration of the recovery process.
This portal builds upon the resources available on the WNC Recovery website for individuals, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses by creating a space solely dedicated to local governments and their unique needs. It was created to be flexible and durable, allowing it to evolve alongside ongoing recovery needs. It was also designed with resilience in mind, offering a platform that can be ready and available to any North Carolina local government navigating disaster recovery in the future.
“Local leaders have faced the challenges of Hurricane Helene response and recovery with an impressive amount of courage and dedication,” said Aimee Wall, Dean at the UNC School of Government. “The NC Local Government Disaster Recovery Portal is here to help local leaders recover more efficiently, make informed decisions, and successfully navigate complex funding and compliance requirements as long as it takes to serve a community’s needs.”