Assistance available for local governments that need a Preliminary Engineering Report/Preliminary Architectural Report. Access the PowerPoint here, to learn more about the program. Submit an intake form here and email any questions to Anne Wade, Senior Project Manager, Community and Economic Development, Southwestern Commission at Anne@southwesterncommission.org.
Topics Related to Local Governments
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) provides no-cost grant development and technical assistance to local governments, regional entities, and eligible nonprofit partners in the western North Carolina counties designated for FEMA Public Assistance following Hurricane Helene. The program helps communities identify and pursue federal, state (including DEQ-administered), and philanthropic funding opportunities through funding navigation, project structuring, and the development of competitive grant proposals and application materials.
Eligible entities can participate in the NC Department of Technology's Broadband Satellite Resiliency Grant program, supporting the purchase of equipment that can deliver satellite internet service, as well as related installation materials. Equipment must be for the grantee's own use and not for distribution to other parties. No portion of funds granted under this program shall be used for internet service subscriptions. Learn more and apply.
The Renew NC Commercial District Revitalization Program is for eligible local governments and nonprofit organizations to revitalize designated commercial districts damaged by Hurricane Helene. Encouraging economic opportunities, while supporting the recovery of commercial areas, is essential to ensuring that commercial tenants, customers, and jobs are restored.
Helene-impacted communities can access free feasibility analysis to evaluate the redevelopment potential of project sites for funding through the Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste Management Financial Assistance Grant. Contact the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Government's Development Finance Initiative (DFI) for more information on how to submit a potential project.
Jordan Thompson, DEQ
704-223-6549
The Disaster Mitigation Program reduces heightened wildfire risk in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene by providing wildfire risk reduction treatments at no cost to eligible private and public landowners in 39 federally declared disaster counties, designated as of Dec. 18, 2024, under FEMA Disaster 4827: North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene.
NCDEQ received grant funding from EPA to provide grants to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Western North Carolina to help communities shorten timeframes and/or fund remaining Hurricane Helene solid waste disaster debris clean-up and removal projects that are not covered by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or other funding sources.
The Renew NC Community Infrastructure Program is a competitive grant program that provides funding for infrastructure projects, linked to Hurricane Helene’s impacts or mitigation that will help impacted communities in western North Carolina become more resilient to current and future natural hazards.
Each year Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) provides funding for projects throughout the Appalachian Region of North Carolina. Projects approved for ARC assistance must support one of five general goals: (1) Building Appalachian Businesses, (2) Building Appalachia's Workforce Ecosystem, (3) Building Appalachia's Infrastructure, (4) Building Regional Culture and Tourism, and (5) Building Community Leaders and Capacity. Eligible applicants are public entities (cities, towns, counties, regions, public service districts) and nonprofit organizations.
The NC Local Government Disaster Recovery Portal is a one-stop resource to help local governments impacted by Tropical Storm Helene access disaster-recovery funding, training, and practical guidance. It brings together current funding opportunities, tools, and recovery resources in a single, reliable place to support affected communities.