Helene Funding in NC Budget and Future Federal Budget Action
BOONE, N.C. – Earlier today, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed S257, the 2026 Appropriations Act into law. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Task Force lists continued Helene recovery funding as one of its top legislative priorities for 2026, and our support is reflected in the following statement:
Like many people here in the High Country, we are truly grateful for both the financial and physical support our region has received in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Donors and visitors from across the world continue to be giving of their time, money, and other resources to help Western North Carolina heal from the devastating impacts of the storm.
The unification displayed by Governor Stein, the North Carolina General Assembly, and North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation toward Helene recovery efforts transcends politics and has kept the focus on the pressing needs of the communities, residents, and businesses that make Western North Carolina special.
We are excited to see the North Carolina General Assembly has now allocated over $3 billion in Helene relief after successfully passing the FY26-27 budget, which was signed into law by Governor Stein today, and features over $700 million in additional dollars for storm recovery. Most of these funds will be used to match additional Federal allocations that will aid various essential recovery projects and programs across the region. We are also pleased to hear both the Governor’s and the North Carolina General Assembly’s commitment to future Helene recovery funding beyond this budget, and we remain committed to helping all levels of government state up-to-date on the needs of this evolving work.
While we get stronger everyday thanks to the support provided to this point, the work toward recovery is far from complete.
We are thankful for the efforts of Governor Stein and the delegation from GROW NC and the NC General Assembly during their recent trip to Washington D.C, where they provided detailed information about the current needs within our region, and how funding through the Supplemental Appropriations package would continue to address critical needs across our region.
We applaud the leadership of Senator Ted Budd in keeping Congress both informed and accountable toward the continued needs of Westen North Carolinians, as communities await critical expense reimbursements, residents navigate the complexities of repairs to housing, and businesses continue to juggle the economic ramifications of disaster expenses against a turbulent economy.
We encourage and adamantly support the full North Carolina Congressional Delegation following the lead of Senator Budd, to fight for the inclusion of funding for continued Helene recovery for Western North Carolina in the Supplemental Appropriations package.
David Jackson
President/CEO, Boone Area Chamber of Commerce
Boone Area Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Task Force