Stein sidelines NCORR, forms new office to lead recovery in western NC

On his first day in office, Gov. Josh Stein announced five executive orders to aid in the recovery of western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene while also revealing no intentions to include the Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) in future recovery plans.

The first two executive actions focus on providing temporary housing units and repairing private bridges and roads, two crucial infrastructure needs during the coldest months of the year. A limited waiver on state procurement regulations has been issued to increase the supply of temporary housing units on people’s properties while they begin the process of rebuilding or repairing. 

“As temperatures have dropped, people are desperately needing shelter, a place to keep warm and to keep safe. That’s why the executive order to prioritize housing and build more temporary shelters is so critical,” said Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. “The winter is far from over, and we can get started today on getting people shelter.”

Stein told reporters during a press conference that the federal government will cover the entirety of the temporary trailer costs through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“More than 12,000 people remain displaced today, and as we are in the coldest months of the year, it is urgent that people have warm and safe places to live now,” Stein said. “President Biden granted Governor Cooper’s request to have 100% reimbursement of these initial expenses for the first six months, and as you know, we’re still in those first six months. So what we want to do is get as much of this work done within six months as we possibly can because FEMA has guaranteed to reimburse us at 100%.”

The third executive order establishes a new office, the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), headed by the governor, dedicated to coordinating an all-of-state-government approach to responding to the emergency. The order also establishes the Division of Community Revitalization within the Department of Commerce to address long-term housing construction and other community needs. 

The fourth order formalizes the Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery, and the fifth directs the State Office of Human Resources to authorize state employees to use 16 additional hours of community service leave to assist the people of western North Carolina. 

NCORR Sidelined

Created under former Gov. Roy Cooper, the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency has been scrutinized for years for its financial mismanagement and inability to complete rebuilding projects after Hurricanes Florence and Matthew roughly seven years ago.

Last month, a report surfaced that NCORR ordered contractors to stop building new homes for victims and has stopped paying contractors in the process of completing construction projects. On Thursday, reporters asked Stein if the struggling state agency will be tasked with additional work in western North Carolina, something many have questioned amid its $221 million deficit. 

SEE ALSO: NCORR director booted as NCGA allocates $50 million to mismanaged agency with mandatory audits

“No, NCORR has an important job to do, which is to finish its work in eastern North Carolina. We are not going to distract them from that job. They have mission one,” Stein explained. “We have this other group that we’re creating in the Department of Commerce, the Division of Community Revitalization, that is going to be focused on the long-term rebuilding here in western North Carolina.”

More than 100 people lost their lives due to Helene, tens of thousands of residences have been damaged or destroyed, and an estimated 8,000 private bridges and roads have been damaged or destroyed in addition to vital infrastructure like wastewater, sewer, and electricity.

“We want every dollar dedicated to recovery, whether federal, state, local or charitable to be spent as efficiently, impactfully and quickly as possible. That’s why I’m committed to doing everything in my power to accelerate relief and get it to where it needs to go as soon and as cost-effectively as possible. That’s what the people of Western North Carolina deserve,” Stein said.

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