NCDEQ launches Western NC Recovery Grants Program to support communities harmed by Hurricane Helene
RALEIGH – 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.
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