Throughout 2025, the North Carolina Department of Commerce has led efforts to help western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene. The department has provided support in areas such as housing, workforce assistance, and economic recovery. These initiatives have reached thousands of families, workers, and small businesses in the region.
Governor Josh Stein commented on the ongoing work: “Western North Carolina has shown extraordinary strength and determination in the wake of Helene. From getting families back into safe homes to helping workers and small businesses regain their financial footing, these recovery efforts by the state’s Commerce Department demonstrate our commitment to standing with mountain communities for as long as it takes.”
Housing recovery has been a major part of this response. The Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) received over 7,000 applications for its Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program by December 31. The first home repair under this program was completed on August 27, making North Carolina the fastest state in more than ten years to begin rebuilding homes with HUD funding after a major hurricane.
One homeowner who benefited is Matalene Waters from Henderson County. Repairs made through Renew NC allowed her to stay safely in her home while recovery continues.
To allow more homeowners time to apply for help—especially during the holiday season—Governor Stein extended the application deadline for Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program to January 31, 2026. The program uses local staff and public dashboards to keep track of applications and maintain transparency.
In addition, DCR started another initiative in 2025: the Renew NC Small Rental Rehabilitation Program. This effort aims to help landlords restore affordable rental units with up to five properties each, which helps stabilize local housing markets and supports workforce needs.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley stated: “Recovery requires sustained focus and coordinated action. Our teams have worked closely with local leaders and community partners to deliver solutions that respond to immediate needs while preparing western North Carolina for long-term success. As we move into 2026, Commerce remains fully committed to supporting families, workers, and businesses as recovery continues.”
Workforce recovery programs were managed by both the Division of Employment Security (DES) and Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS), working alongside local boards and NCWorks Career Centers.
After Hurricane Helene struck, DES processed more than 36,000 disaster-related unemployment claims totaling $96.6 million in benefits—a higher figure than seen after previous hurricanes—to support affected workers financially.
The DWS oversaw a federal Dislocated Worker Grant that assisted over 300 people through temporary jobs or training programs in counties hit by Helene. More than 340 hiring events took place across western North Carolina since the hurricane; these connected jobseekers with employers via NCWorks Career Centers or mobile units.
A special fund called Helene Business Edge Fund allocated $500,000 under Governor Stein’s Rapid Response program for workforce development boards most impacted by the storm; so far three boards received $320,000 collectively which was distributed among sixteen employers retaining a total of 269 employees.
One example is DT’s Blue Ridge Java coffee shop/cafe in Spruce Pine (Mitchell County). Support from federal grants helped them rebuild operations post-storm while offering displaced workers jobs or training opportunities at their business.
Economic recovery also progressed through grants administered by Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division (REDD). Their Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program offered up to $1 million per grant for local governments needing infrastructure repairs crucial for small businesses’ survival after Helene.
For instance, Bryson City secured REDD funding for a water system project damaged during Hurricane Helene—a step intended not only to serve current residents but also prepare downtown businesses for future growth needs.
More information about these initiatives can be found at www.commerce.nc.gov or https://www.wncrecovery.nc.gov/.
“Recovery requires sustained focus and coordinated action,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Our teams have worked closely with local leaders and community partners to deliver solutions that respond to immediate needs while preparing western North Carolina for long-term success. As we move into 2026, Commerce remains fully committed to supporting families, workers, and businesses as recovery continues.”
As communities reopen and rebuild more than one year after Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina—and even as progress is visible—the Department of Commerce plans continued collaboration with other agencies throughout next year.
