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A Win for Recovery—But We’re Not Done Yet
After months of advocacy, the North Carolina legislature passed a another major recovery package to support our region in recovery from Tropical Storm Helene. I’ve spent months working alongside local leaders to advocate for a package that reflects the scale of what we’ve been through. I’m relieved to share that the legislature passed significant funding for infrastructure and resilience—but I won’t sugarcoat it: they left a major gap.
Here are some of the wins:
- $270 million from DOT budget specifically toward Helene WNC repairs
- $75 million towards construction and reimbursement of privately owned roads and bridges
- $70 million in funding for local government capital repairs
- $18 million to invest in fire stations across WNC to prepare for a high-risk fire season
- $18 million in additional funding to support our frontline volunteer organizations
We didn’t secure targeted business recovery grants, and that’s a big miss. Local businesses—Asheville’s economic and cultural backbone—are still struggling and need real support, not just applause.
I’m proud of what we won, but also frustrated. The work isn’t done. I’ll keep fighting for a full recovery that rebuilds more than roads—it restores livelihoods. Western North Carolina deserves nothing less.
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