N.C. launches grants program to support communities harmed by Helene

Down Ballot Staff Reports

 The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has launched the Western NC Recovery Grants Program to help communities affected by Hurricane Helene rebuild and secure long-term recovery funding. The program provides free grant-writing and technical assistance to towns, counties, councils of government and eligible nonprofits across the 39 federally declared disaster counties in western North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

“Hurricane Helene hit our rural mountain communities hard, and many local governments lack the staff capacity to pursue recovery funding,” said Reid Wilson, DEQ Secretary. “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.”

The program provides support to local governments in preparing state and federal applications for recovery funding. DEQ staff will offer assistance with proposal development, budget preparation and analysis, assessment of available funding for specific projects, evaluation methodologies, and other proposal submission requirements. As state agencies continue to release new grant opportunities—including recent programs from DEQ, North Carolina Department of Commerce and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services—and with many local governments still pursuing federal FEMA funding, this program offers timely, temporary support to ensure all funding opportunities are accessible to communities to pursue.

Program highlights include:

• Strategic guidance: DEQ staff will help communities identify appropriate funding opportunities and shape strong project proposals.
• Direct grant support: DEQ grant staff will work one-on-one with local governments to prepare applications or provide targeted technical assistance.
• Eligibility: Open to local governments. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations may participate with a local government partner.
• Grant readiness: Construction-related projects must have site control or ownership to qualify for most federal and state grant programs.

Communities seeking assistance can complete the online form on the Western NC Recovery Grants Program webpage. The program will remain open throughout the year, and there is no formal deadline to apply for assistance. However, if you have a specific grant with an established deadline, please share that in your application form.

The Western NC Recovery Grants Program is part of DEQ’s broader Helene recovery effort, which includes water infrastructure funding and technical assistance, river debris cleanup and long-term resilience planning.

Hendersonville taking applications for participatory budget process

The city of Hendersonville will be holding a participatory budgeting program and applications will be accepted until December 19.

Applicants must live or own a business within the city.

The city is setting aside $25,000 for residents to decide how the funds should be used to improve the community. This Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process gives residents an additional opportunity to give input on the City’s budget.

“We’re always looking for ways to connect with the community and involve residents in decisions that impact their daily lives,” said Deputy City Manager Brian Pahle. “Our budget team is known for innovation, and we want residents to participate with us just like our department heads do during the CIP process.”

Residents have been consistently invited to shape city priorities through surveys, focus groups, community meetings, and Council Conversations. However, this new initiative marks the first time residents can propose a project idea, help develop it, and see it funded through the budgeting process.  

Hendersonville residents can submit their capital project ideas through an application. Capital projects are those that create or improve a long-term asset. After review and scoring, the top-ranked project or projects will receive funding from the $25,000 budget.

Project ideas might include traffic safety infrastructure such as speed radar signs or traffic calming islands, park enhancements, or updates to community spaces. Scoring will be based on a project’s community support like neighborhood buy-in, volunteer commitments, matching funds, etc., as well as alignment with the City’s strategic plan goals.

Brunswick County Board of Commissioners pass resolution opposing expansion of Chemours facility

The board unanimously adopted the resolution to oppose the expansion of the Chemours Fayetteville Works Facility. Chemours has requested a permit to expand operations at the Fayetteville Works Facility, increasing the production and potential increases to the discharge of PFAS.