The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Revitalization announced on April 6 that $40 million in federal funding is now available to help restore commercial districts in western North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The funding aims to support local economic recovery and strengthen business communities affected by the hurricane. Local governments and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply through Renew NC’s new Commercial District Revitalization Program, which is funded by a Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery award from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“The Commercial District Revitalization program is a critical investment in western North Carolina’s economic recovery,” said Governor Josh Stein. “By supporting business districts, we’re supporting local businesses, stabilizing jobs, and strengthening communities in western North Carolina.”
Projects located within HUD-identified and State-identified Most Impacted and Distressed areas—including Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg (ZIP code 28214 only), Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Surry, Swain, Transylvania,Watauga,W ilkes,Yadkin,and Yancey counties—are eligible for consideration. Award amounts will range from $500, 000 to $10 million per project. Eligible activities include acquisition or rehabilitation of commercial structures by local governments or nonprofits; assistance for small businesses making physical improvements; and facade improvements to public or private structures.
“Small businesses and downtowns are the heart of western NC communities,” said North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Renew NC’s CDR program will help restore these vital areas and ensure they are better prepared to weather future storms.”
Applicants must tie their projects directly to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and meet all federal requirements. The application window opens at noon Eastern Time on April 6 and closes at 5 p.m. on August 4.
Deputy Secretary for Community Revitalization Stephanie McGarrah encouraged applicants to complete an online prescreening before submitting a full application: “Prescreening gives communities and nonprofits an opportunity to strengthen their projects before submitting a full application… It helps applicants determine whether proposed CDBG-DR projects align with federal requirements…and demonstrate financial feasibility.” Prescreening materials as well as instructional videos are available online via the Renew NC Grant Portal.
This first round releases part of a total $111 million allocation for the program; additional rounds will follow.
