Stein announces 2nd Helene budget proposal

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein announced on Monday $891 million in additional funding for Helene recovery.

He spoke in Rutherford County on Monday morning about the importance of more funding for people still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

“People need job opportunities,” Stein said. “They need reliable public services. And they need a safe place to call home.”

The governor talked about the importance of supporting small businesses and residents devastated by the storm.

Stein, who spoke at Carolina Domes, said since the hurricane, more than 2,000 businesses in North Carolina have received $55 million in grants.

“The people of western Carolina are very proud,” said Zach Mayo with Carolina Domes. “They don’t like to ask for a lot. But there’s a lot of people out here who need financial help.”

That money came from the state, the Duke Endowment and the Dogwood Health Trust.

The governor said it’s important to note that more than 7,200 have applied for the grant money.

Stein’s budget proposal includes:

• $260 million to spur economic recovery by supporting businesses and local governments and promoting western North Carolina’s tourism industry.
• $239 million to strengthen critical infrastructure by repairing damaged schools, expanding debris clean-up, and investing in projects to safeguard against future disasters.
• $113 million to advance housing recovery and provide assistance to families who have struggled with rent, mortgage, and utility bills.
• $105 million to rehabilitate waterways and land used by farmers as well as fund wildfire prevention and response.
• $23 million to address food insecurity in western North Carolina and the needs of affected community colleges.
• $152 million for required state matching of federal disaster programs, investments in communication and disaster system improvements, and existing requirements that are not funded by state or federal dollars.

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