Gov. Stein announces second Hurricane Helene budget proposal

Governor Josh Stein announced Monday, May 19, that he recommends an additional $891 million to help Western North Carolina rebuild after Hurricane Helene. 

Governor 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.

He also announced that the Dogwood Health Trust, the Duke Endowment, and the State of North Carolina have distributed $55 million to more than 2,000 businesses in western North Carolina.

The State of North Carolina also launched an additional $55 million state infrastructure program allowing local governments to apply for up to $1 million to rebuild public infrastructure that small business rely on, such as sidewalks and sewers.

Read Governor Stein’s full Helene recovery budget proposal here. (Please note figures above are rounded to the nearest whole number.)