NC Gov. Stein highlights ongoing post-Helene funding needs despite $110M in new grants

NORTH CAROLINA (WLOS) — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said there is still a funding need for small businesses, despite recent announcements that will contribute $110 million across two grant programs.

A state program, in collaboration with Dogwood Health Trust and the Duke Endowment, just completed the distribution of $55 million directly into the pockets of 2,812 local, small businesses.

A separate $55 million program, offered by the Department of Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division, is now accepting applications from local governments for grants to rebuild public infrastructure vital to small businesses.

'AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE': NEW $55M GRANT AIMS TO REVITALIZE WNC SMALL BUSINESSES

"If you're a small business and you get a grant that helps you make payroll, but the sidewalk is totally destroyed outside of your business, you're not going to be able to succeed," Stein told News 13.

The program, open to any Helene-impacted municipality, will distribute up to $1 million for projects ranging from water and sewer to broadband.

"This will help towns hire that contractor who can build that infrastructure that's going to support the whole economy of that community," Stein said.

The grants, awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, will be implemented in projects assisting small businesses with 150 or fewer employees.

$55M OF RELIEF FUNDS TO SUPPORT OVER 2,800 WNC SMALL BUSINESSES

The funding comes from the first Helene Recovery Bill of 2025. A spokesperson for Buncombe County said the county plans to apply.

Stein told News 13 he isn't finished with small business support or Helene relief; he is preparing his request to the General Assembly for the second Helene relief bill this year.

"We've started to put together the structure of what our request is going to be," Stein said. "We're having preliminary conversations with the legislature, and my hope is that within the next week or two, we will be announcing our additional appropriation request."