Stein requests $1.07B to rebuild western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Governor Josh Stein has proposed $1.07 billion Monday in immediate funding to support rebuilding western North Carolina.

"The people of western North Carolina have suffered tremendously since Helene swept through," Governor Josh Stein said in the news release. "I appreciate what the General Assembly has done so far, but it's time for us to step up and get them the money they need right now to rebuild. We can't forget western North Carolina - and I will do everything in my power to ensure that the state shows up for them."

Stein made this budget request at MANNA Food Bank, which works with over 300 community-based nonprofit food assistance partner agencies in 16 western North Carolina.

"MANNA has been an essential resource for the people it serves, and its work has become even more critical since Hurricane Helene struck," he said. "As these organizations continue the daily work of supporting their community, we have a responsibility to support them."

Here's the full budget breakdown

Strengthening the Economy

• $150 million across two grant programs for businesses affected by Helene

• $30 million for grants to small towns and counties to rebuild downtowns and other business districts.

• $15 million to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina's VisitNC division to support North Carolina's tourism industry

• $100 million for revenue replacement grants to support local governments whose resources were exhausted by immediate disaster response

Providing Places to Live

• $150 million for a Helene Home Construction and Repair Program to immediately start rebuilding the estimated 5,100 homes.

• $25 million to support people struggling to afford rent, mortgage, or utility costs because their home or livelihood was affected.

• $10 million for Back@Home, a program that supports people who are without homes

• $50 million in incentives for affordable housing construction.

• $25 million to fill in gaps for home repairs that are not covered by FEMA.

Repairing Infrastructure

• $75 million to repair private roads and bridges.

• $25 million to clean up local parks and greenways in affected areas

• $12 million for debris removal

• $10 million to provide backup power for emergency operations and other critical infrastructure.

• $4 million to repair septic systems

Supporting Farmers

• $15 million for grants to farmers for verified uninsured losses to crops, livestock, aquaculture, and infrastructure.

• $100 million to help farmers clear debris and repair their land and waterways

• $19.4 million to prepare for the wildfire season and mitigate future risk

Families and Children

• $34.2 million for school districts that missed 15 or more days of school to provide summer instruction and other support services

• $20 million to fund food banks in affected areas.

• $2 million to help college students who are struggling to pay tuition, fees, or emergency expenses that might force them to drop out of school at UNC Asheville, Appalachian State University, and Western Carolina University.