This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
The aftermath of Helene’s impact in Buncombe County serves as a stark reminder of how climate disasters can destabilize local economies, especially those heavily reliant on tourism. In the wake of the disruption, a significant number of workers in the tourism sector, including nature guides and hospitality staff, faced prolonged unemployment, leading to an exodus of about 16,000 individuals from the workforce in Western North Carolina’s most affected counties, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Climate-related disruptions affect various facets of economic life, from housing to infrastructure, and Helene’s impact was no exception. A recent economic recovery plan released by the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina addresses the enduring workforce instability in the region.
Sharon Decker, senior adviser for long-term recovery at the Governor’s Recovery Office, highlighted the significant interruptions in the hospitality and recreation sectors. “We’re actually losing workforce,” Decker explained. “People are leaving because they don’t have jobs. The job they have or perhaps they need to find housing with family or they simply take this as an opportunity to relocate.”
Kris Smith, lead researcher at Headwaters Economics, emphasized to BPR the critical role of foundational elements like infrastructure, childcare access, and government capacity in post-disaster recovery. “Without them you can just have gaps and you get this kind of downward spiraling of economies because the foundation has been gutted by the disaster,” Smith remarked.
Smith also pointed out the necessity of balancing private investment with public social services, such as childcare and eldercare, to support recovery efforts. For rural areas like Western North Carolina, which rely heavily on tourism, disruptions can be particularly devastating, often leaving communities with limited alternatives when businesses close and rebuilding efforts lag.
The Economic Recovery Plan outlines several investment strategies aimed at bolstering the region’s workforce. These include initiatives for affordable housing and small business grants, alongside efforts to rejuvenate the textile industry. The plan also emphasizes education as a key pathway to employment, advocating for enhanced support for educational institutions in high-demand fields such as healthcare, forestry, and biotechnology.
“It’s not just one space that was impacted,” Decker said. “It’s massive. So, I think we have to think in a larger term and a bolder vision than maybe we historically had.”
