Buncombe County -- August 4, 2026: Buncombe County has launched the early planning process for a competitive state grant opportunity that could help fund several long-term recovery projects tied to the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene.
County officials are preparing applications for North Carolina's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Community Infrastructure program, which is designed to help communities address infrastructure needs that remain after the storm.
Rather than focusing on roads, bridges, or public water systems—which are managed by other agencies—the county is concentrating on projects that fall within its own areas of responsibility.
Three Priority Projects Identified
County staff have identified three preliminary projects that have already completed the state's initial eligibility prescreening process:
Parks Recovery and Resilience: Rebuilding county parks, including Owen Park, Alexander Park, and Lake Julian, restoring facilities damaged during Helene while adding improvements designed to better withstand future disasters and improve accessibility.
Ferry Road Affordable Housing Infrastructure: Constructing and improving road infrastructure along Ferry Road and Dry Ferry Road to support the planned Ferry Road Affordable Housing Community. County officials say the project addresses ongoing housing shortages following Helene, which damaged or destroyed more than 6,500 rental housing units in Buncombe County.
Community Resilience at County Facilities: Installing backup power systems, including generators, battery storage, and related infrastructure at critical county-owned facilities to help ensure essential public services remain available during future emergencies.
According to county officials, these projects align with priorities identified in the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Plan, which emphasizes rebuilding community assets, expanding affordable housing opportunities, and strengthening disaster preparedness.
Public Input Requested
The county is seeking public feedback before finalizing its grant applications.
Residents may provide comments during a public comment period that opened July 31 and continues through August 28. A public hearing is also scheduled during the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, August 18, at 5 p.m. in the Commissioners Chambers at 200 College Street in Asheville.
Comments may be submitted by email, phone, or mail through the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Office. Officials say all submitted comments become part of the public record and will help refine the county's final proposals.
About the Funding
North Carolina received approximately $1.4 billion in federal Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding to assist communities recovering from Tropical Storm Helene.
The current Community Infrastructure funding round will make approximately $55 million available statewide, with individual projects eligible to receive up to $15 million each.
To qualify, proposed projects must demonstrate a direct connection to storm recovery, meet federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) eligibility requirements, and comply with North Carolina's approved disaster recovery action plan.
Only local governments may apply for this funding, and the program gives preference to projects that are ready to move into construction once approved.
Next Steps
Buncombe County plans to complete and submit its applications before the September 8 deadline. Projects selected for funding would then move into additional review stages, including environmental and regulatory compliance before construction could begin.
County officials say the planning process remains in its early stages, and public feedback could influence the final proposals submitted to the state.