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.
Topics Related to Local Governments
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.
Individuals or local governments that own an airport can apply for funding to support infrastructure recovery projects or improve capacity for emergency preparedness. Airports must be either currently in operation or have been operational before Helene but not operating now due to damage caused by the storm.
Grants will be limited to a maximum of $5 million for a single recipient. Total grants will be limited to two for a single county.
Projects can be 100% funded with no cost share and paid on a reimbursement basis. Grant administration costs are not eligible.
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.
The Division of Soil & Water Conservation is accepting applications for the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) in counties affected by Hurricane Helene. This process makes $38 million available for projects to repair stream damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Additional information is available about these application windows, including guidance on completing applications.
Application Windows
Regional councils of government support local governments across North Carolina with technical assistance, planning support and guidance as they navigate federal and state funding opportunities. The association helps member governments make sense of complex program requirements so they can better serve their communities. While this work is directed to local governments, the benefit ultimately reaches residents through stronger services, smoother recovery efforts, and improved capacity.
Councils of Government serving the most impacted western North Carolina counties: