On Tuesday, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 47, the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025,” with strong bipartisan support.
House Bill 47 allocates $500 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina, bringing total relief funding from the General Assembly to more than $1.1 billion.
Key funding provisions in House Bill 47 include:
- $140 million for rebuilding and repairing homes
- $150 million to assist farmers and restore farmland
- $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges
- $55 million for small business infrastructure grants
- $20 million to remove millions of cubic yards of debris
- $10 million to support essential volunteer organizations
- $10 million for volunteer fire departments
- $10 million for rental assistance
- $5 million for travel and tourism marketing
Speaker Destin Hall stated, “Ensuring Western North Carolina recovers swiftly and responsibly remains our top priority in the House. For that reason, House Bill 47 is the first legislation voted on and approved this session. I am proud of the work the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery, our Western NC delegation and others accomplished to pass this crucial legislation, and I’m encouraged by the overwhelming support it received today.”
Further reading: NC proposes how to spend $1.43B federal Helene grant. Now it wants feedback
Further reading: Why a regional recovery is so critical to local recovery efforts: How commuting shapes the labor market in Western NC
Photo above by Billy Bowling of the EPA: Flooding in Biltmore Village in Asheville caused by Hurricane Helene.
