North Carolina’s Bold Steps Towards Recovery Six Months After Hurricane Helene
Six months have passed since Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on North Carolina, prompting an extensive recovery initiative spearheaded by the state’s Department of Commerce. With a $1.4 billion Action Plan for rebuilding and over $91 million in disaster unemployment benefits already disbursed, North Carolina continues its efforts to aid recovery, largely driven by the priority placed by Governor Josh Stein on rejuvenating western regions of the state.
“It’s all hands on deck at Commerce to help our friends and neighbors impacted by Helene to recover as quickly as possible,” stated North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. Over recent months, funds and technical support have been directed towards the affected areas, with anticipation building around the commencement of the state’s housing recovery program as they await federal clearance.
On March 26, North Carolina forwarded its final Action Plan to HUD, marking a significant step towards securing federal support under the $1.4 billion Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). The plan outlines strategic measures to address housing and economic recovery needs in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Under Governor Stein’s directive, the Division of Community Revitalization was established, led by Stephanie McGarrah, to oversee the federal CDBG-DR grant management. This division has been actively preparing, hiring seasoned experts in various fields, and maintaining a streamlined operational approach. A recent Request for Proposals seeks private sector collaboration to enhance the execution of the federal grant. Proposals from interested firms are due by April 14, with the selected partner taking charge of significant tasks including outreach and construction management.
Several branches within Commerce are deeply involved in the recovery initiatives. The Division of Employment Security (DES) has facilitated the distribution of over $91 million in unemployment benefits to individuals affected by the hurricane, bolstering both personal welfare and the local economy. The DES has processed 36,530 disaster claims, surpassing previous records set by Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, and Fred.
Meanwhile, the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) is actively connecting job seekers with employment opportunities, deploying teams, and utilizing the NCWorks Mobile Unit to offer services onsite. A $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor has been acquired to support job creation and training in the most affected areas, which is currently operational through NCWorks Career Centers.
The efforts extend further with the Rural Economic Development Division and the Appalachian Regional Commission office successfully securing $3.5 million for Mountain BizWorks to strengthen local business recovery efforts. Additionally, the Labor & Economic Analysis Division remains committed to tracking and reporting on the hurricane’s economic repercussions.
For further details on North Carolina Commerce’s initiatives in western North Carolina recovery, visit commerce.nc.gov/recovery.
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