Governor Josh Stein and Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson visited Old Fort to observe how recent funding is being used to strengthen the town’s water systems. Last week, Governor Stein announced $270 million in grants aimed at supporting 58 water systems across 26 western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The funding is intended to help local governments and water authorities improve the resilience of their water and sewer infrastructure. Old Fort will receive $10 million for a drinking water system resiliency project and $5 million for a sewer system resiliency project.
North Carolina is the first state affected by Hurricane Helene to distribute its portion of federal allocations from the EPA’s Drinking Water and Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund disaster programs. This follows the state’s earlier distribution of CDBG-DR funded housing assistance. The administration has emphasized urgency and transparency in efforts to aid recovery in western North Carolina.
“Just like so many towns across western North Carolina, Old Fort suffered the deluge of Hurricane Helene,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These investments will help the town shore up its drinking water and sewer systems so families can count on safe and reliable services, even when storms hit.”
“Hurricane Helene showed how urgently western North Carolina needs to prepare for future flooding,” said Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson. “Public health is our top priority at DEQ, and that starts with ensuring each North Carolinian has access to clean drinking water. With these water infrastructure grants, we’re on our way to achieving this goal.”
The new grant funding will support various projects throughout western North Carolina, including improvements in Chimney Rock Village, Clyde, and Crossnore.
Earlier this fall, Governor Stein traveled to Marshall to announce a $6 million investment in flood mitigation projects targeting rivers in western North Carolina. Over the past year, more than $356 million has been awarded for repairs and strengthening of water systems affected by Hurricane Helene, with total statewide awards exceeding $850 million. These investments are approved quarterly by the North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority.
Applications for funding related to water infrastructure repair and upgrades are open until March 2, 2026.
More information about Division of Water Infrastructure funding programs can be found on their website.