Governor signs NCGA’s $500+ million recovery package for WNC

The fourth round of disaster relief aid for western North Carolina is officially law, bringing total funding to over $1.4 billion across four relief packages passed since October 2024.

The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025—Part I allocates an additional $524 million to Hurricane Helene relief efforts in western North Carolina, in addition to regulatory relief to assist with rebuilding. House Bill 47 passed almost unanimously, with the exception of one lawmaker. The bill was signed into law by Gov. Josh Stein late Wednesday.

“This funding is a promising step forward in the long road to recovery for western North Carolina,” said Stein, a Democrat. “I want to thank the General Assembly for working together to pass this critical aid package to help our neighbors rebuild after Helene.” But we are nowhere near done — I will keep pushing to ensure western North Carolina is not forgotten.”  

Stein had asked the legislature for $1.1 billion. General Assembly leaders also commented on the bill.

“This legislation will bring much-needed relief to Western North Carolina while finally bringing to a close the scandalous rebuilding failures in the Eastern part of our state,” said Speaker of the House Destin Hall, R-Caldwell. “The Cooper and Biden administrations neglected North Carolinians, leaving communities to suffer due to mismanagement and broken promises. It is time to pass this legislation and deliver the aid and accountability that our citizens expect and deserve.”

Key funding items in the final bill include:

• $200 million to Helene-specific crop-loss and farm restoration 
• $120 million for rebuilding and repairing homes
• $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges
• $55 million for small business infrastructure grants
• $20 million to remove millions of cubic yards of debris
• $10 million to support essential volunteer organizations
• $10 million for volunteer fire departments
• $9 million for learning recovery for students in Helene-affected counties
• $4 million for travel and tourism marketing
• $217 million to close out home rebuilding operations in Eastern NC
• $110 million to assist farmers with non-Helene-related crop loss

Legislators have been working through modifications to the bill for over a month. The final version signed into law included additional education funding for western North Carolina and increased funding for farm relief across the state.

“Since Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, the General Assembly has come together to address the real-time needs of our citizens,” said Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham of the package. “This bill will make a world of difference for the people of western North Carolina, and I’m proud to see it become law. I look forward to continuing our efforts to support western North Carolina as it recovers and rebuilds.”

Today, I signed HB47 and sent it to the Governor. This bill sends an additional $500 million to WNC for hurricane relief. pic.twitter.com/QW7u0qs1Hu

— Speaker Destin Hall (@ncspeakerhall) March 20, 2025

The legislation also dedicates $217 million to complete rebuilding homes in Eastern North Carolina and nearly $110 million in statewide relief for farmers in addition to Helene-specific agriculture funding. 

House Majority Leader Brenden Jones, R-Robeson, commended the support for eastern North Carolina for Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Amid ongoing financial mismanagement, Jones has been at the forefront of investigating the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), which was created to oversee recovery funds in response to the disasters nearly a decade ago.

“After years of delays and mismanagement, House Bill 47 delivers for the people of Eastern North Carolina,” said Jones. “With $217 million allocated to complete long-overdue home rebuilds, families who have waited far too long will finally get the relief they deserve. With strict oversight to ensure every dollar is used properly—we are finishing the job once and for all.”

SEE ALSO: End in sight? NCORR disaster recovery labeled ‘taxpayer sham’ 7 years later

Strict oversight and accountability provisions for both Eastern and Western recovery projects are included to ensure that the failures of past rebuilding efforts are not repeated.

The post Governor signs NCGA’s $500+ million recovery package for WNC first appeared on Carolina Journal.