In a significant move, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has finally given the nod to a handful of property buyouts in Western North Carolina. This decision comes after a prolonged period of stagnation that left state officials and homeowners in limbo for nearly a year.
Months of anticipation have come to an end as FEMA approved acquisitions in Henderson and Buncombe Counties, propelling a select group of homeowners closer to selling their flood-affected properties to local governments. This initiative will eventually transform those lands into community projects such as parks and greenways.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed that $23 million from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is set to be allocated, with $14.2 million earmarked for Buncombe County and $9.2 million for Henderson County. Overall, FEMA has committed $1.5 billion to this program…