ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is set to take up the first public hearing Tuesday on a proposed federal disaster recovery grant application aimed at helping rebuild and revitalize commercial areas damaged by Tropical Storm Helene.
County leaders are considering projects that could compete for a share of $40 million available statewide in the first round of the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery Commercial District Revitalization program. The overall program includes $111 million in available funding, with local governments and nonprofits eligible to apply for grants up to $10 million.
The program is designed to support physical recovery projects in commercial districts hit hard by Helene, including repairs, mitigation work and infrastructure improvements. Buncombe County officials say the focus is on restoring damaged business corridors while improving resiliency against future flooding and storms…