Local governments in four Western North Carolina counties are receiving a total of nearly $8.5 million to help them rebuild public infrastructure that was damaged by Hurricane Helene and is essential to small businesses.
The projects include sewer lines in Ashe County, stormwater drainage in Jackson County, and infrastructure upgrades in Caldwell and Mitchell counties.
“Small businesses can’t operate without reliable infrastructure,” Gov. Josh Stein said in a statement. "These investments will help communities repair essential systems, reduce future risk, and ensure local entrepreneurs have the dependable services they need to serve customers and grow. I thank the General Assembly for its partnership in funding these investments.”
The latest round of grants will fund a total of 13 projects. The funding is administered by the state Department of Commerce through its Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program.
The state legislature appropriated $55 million for the program last year. So far, nearly $30 million in grants have been awarded.
Previous grants have included millions of dollars for sidewalk repair, including in Biltmore Village and Clyde, as well as funding for water and sewer lines, utility relocation and other projects. Local governments can continue to apply for funding; more information is available online here.
The 13 projects being funded in the latest round are below:
Ashe County
Town of Lansing:
- $979,759 to restore and rehabilitate infrastructure supporting the Lansing Business District.
Town of West Jefferson:
- $780,456 to rehabilitate sewer lines serving the downtown commercial area.
- $177,037 to repair infrastructure damage impacting local businesses.
- $370,407 to implement supplemental infrastructure improvements to strengthen downtown stability.
Caldwell County
City of Lenoir:
- $500,000 to complete infrastructure upgrades in the Steele Cotton Mill area that support nearby commercial operations.
Jackson County
Town of Dillsboro:
- $478,875 to restore historic Front Street infrastructure and improve stormwater management systems.
Town of Sylva:
- $952,760 to repair and enhance downtown stormwater and utility infrastructure.
Mitchell County
Town of Bakersville:
- $1,000,000 to implement infrastructure improvements that increase service reliability for downtown businesses.
- $1,000,000 to repair and replace critical infrastructure damaged by flooding.
- $160,000 to repair and construct steel-reinforced concrete retaining walls damaged by flooding.
- $80,000 to install targeted infrastructure upgrades supporting public safety and business continuity.
Town of Spruce Pine:
- $1,000,000 to bury approximately 1,300 feet of infrastructure to improve reliability and reduce disruption risks.
- $1,000,000 to bury approximately 2,200 feet of infrastructure to strengthen long-term system durability.
