Governor Josh Stein announced on March 20 nearly $8.5 million in new infrastructure grants to support small business recovery in western North Carolina. The funding, provided through the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), will assist 13 local projects as part of the ongoing response to Hurricane Helene.
The grants are intended to help communities repair and improve essential public infrastructure systems that are critical for small businesses, such as water and sewer lines, stormwater controls, utility relocation, and downtown streetscape repairs. These investments aim to stabilize commercial districts and protect long-term economic activity in areas affected by the hurricane.
“Small businesses can’t operate without reliable infrastructure,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These investments will help communities repair essential systems, reduce future risk, and ensure local entrepreneurs have the dependable services they need to serve customers and grow. I thank the General Assembly for its partnership in funding these investments.”
With this latest round of awards, the SmBIZ program has distributed nearly $30 million since November 2025 to support small business recovery from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. The program was established with a $55 million appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly and provides grants of up to $1 million to local governments addressing infrastructure damage that directly affects small business districts.
Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said, “Rebuilding after a disaster requires both urgency and partnership. Through this program, we’re working hand in hand with local leaders to restore the systems that keep their economies functioning day in and day out.”
To speed up project implementation, the Department of Commerce has adjusted grant procedures so recipients can access upfront funding rather than waiting for reimbursement. Reginald Speight, Assistant Secretary for Rural Economic Development at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, said, “These projects reflect careful coordination with local officials who identified their most pressing infrastructure needs. Strategic public investment at this stage of recovery helps protect jobs, preserve downtown districts, and position communities for long-term resilience.”
Local governments in eligible counties may continue submitting applications while funding remains available. More information about the program is available at commerce.nc.gov/SmBIZ.
