The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has introduced the Western NC Recovery Grants Program to assist communities in western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. The initiative aims to help local governments, councils of government, and eligible nonprofits within 39 federally declared disaster counties, as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, access funding for rebuilding and long-term recovery.
Reid Wilson, Secretary of DEQ, said: “Hurricane Helene hit our rural mountain communities hard, and many local governments lack the staff capacity to pursue recovery funding. This program ensures they have the support needed to compete for the resources required to recover, rebuild and strengthen their communities’ resilience to future weather hazards.”
Through this program, DEQ will provide free grant-writing and technical assistance. Local governments will receive support in preparing applications for state and federal recovery funds. The assistance covers proposal development, budget analysis, evaluation methods, identification of funding sources for specific projects, and meeting submission requirements.
As additional grant opportunities are released by agencies such as DEQ itself, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services—and with ongoing efforts by some local governments to secure FEMA funds—this new program offers timely support so that all available funding can be accessed.
Key features include strategic guidance from DEQ staff on identifying suitable grants and shaping project proposals; direct one-on-one grant application assistance; eligibility for local governments (with nonprofits able to participate if partnered with a government entity); and requirements such as site control or ownership for construction-related projects seeking most state or federal grants.
Assistance requests can be submitted online via the Western NC Recovery Grants Program webpage. The program is open year-round without a set deadline for general applications. Applicants pursuing grants with specific deadlines are encouraged to indicate those dates in their submissions.
The Western NC Recovery Grants Program is part of a broader effort by DEQ related to Hurricane Helene recovery that also includes water infrastructure work, river debris removal, and planning for long-term resilience.
