Significant federal aid amounting to $29 million is set to flow into Western North Carolina, courtesy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This funding aims to reimburse local municipalities and state agencies for their recovery efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Helene.
The most substantial portion of these funds, $7.7 million, is earmarked for the revitalization of the Muni, a municipal golf course located in East Asheville.
U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) expressed gratitude towards U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stating, “I am grateful for Secretary Noem working with me to more regularly approve reimbursements for Helene and past disaster recovery projects.”
The announcement of the funding arrives a day after Senators Budd and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) lifted their holds on several of President Trump’s Homeland Security nominees. The senators had previously halted these nominations pending assurances from DHS for increased support in the region’s recovery from Helene.
Senator Budd remarked, “While I have released my holds on DHS nominees, I will continue to engage all relevant federal agencies to make sure Western North Carolina receives the focus and attention it deserves, particularly the final distribution of funds to the municipalities and state agencies in desperate need of financial relief.”
According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, the municipal golf course in Asheville faced damages estimated at approximately $7 million post-storm. The back nine holes quickly reopened after the storm, having escaped the worst, while the front nine suffered significant damage due to the Swannanoa River flooding.
In recent months, the storm-damaged portion has been temporarily transformed into a disc golf course. Plans for restoration are underway with the design phase expected to continue until late next year.
Another major beneficiary of the FEMA funds is the North Carolina Department of Transportation, receiving about $7.4 million. This allocation will support the repair of state roads in Avery, McDowell, Caldwell, and Buncombe counties, as well as alternative debris removal procedures.
Additionally, approximately $4 million is allocated for the reconstruction of Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton, which was significantly impacted by Helene. Although parts of the park reopened during the summer, ongoing construction persists in various areas. The City of Morganton has been awaiting FEMA reimbursement for these efforts.
The full breakdown of the latest FEMA funding is as follows:
- $7,767,510 to the City of Asheville for repairs to the Municipal Golf Course
- $4,063,203 to the City of Morganton for repairs to Catawba Meadows Park
- $2,099,655 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for repairs to Blevins Creek Road in Avery County
- $1,753,824 to Avery County for repairs to the Senior Center Building and its contents
- $1,703,026 to Avery County for repairs to the Administrative Building and its contents
- $1,631,919 to the Town of Beech Mountain for emergency support
- $1,617,511 to the City of Asheville for emergency support
- $1,608,142 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for repairs to State Road 1407 in McDowell County
- $1,352,862 to the City of Asheville for repairs to the Bee Tree Dam
- $1,319,662 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for repairs to various state roads in Buncombe County
- $1,305,204 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for alternative procedures debris removal
- $1,287,464 to the Town of Spruce Pine for repairs to its water distribution system
- $1,104,317 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for repairs to various state roads in Caldwell County
- $1,055,589 to North Carolina Emergency Management for emergency support
