Commissioners Approve $3.1M in Hurricane Relief funding for housing small businesses

Press release from Buncombe County:

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is putting $3.1 million toward housing assistance and small business grants. During a special meeting on Nov. 1, Commissioners approved reallocating American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The loss  of businesses and damage to hundreds of homes and other properties has created unemployment, loss of income, housing needs, and more. While there is funding from federal and state agencies, this situation necessitates additional funding for housing assistance and small businesses.

Commission Chair Brownie Newman noted the overwhelming amount of help and resources coming from federal and state governments along with the City of Asheville, community partners, and others. “There’s a huge need among households and business that have been impacted… Thanks to County staff for helping get resources to individuals, families, and businesses that need this help,” he said.

Funding breakdown:

• Household assistance: $1,597,053
• Small business grants: $1,597,053

Next steps:

• Identify a Household Assistance Program partner: County staff is finalizing the scope of work and will identify a partner to implement individual assistance program
• Identify Small Business Grant partner: The County will issue an RFP for a partner to manage small business grant funds
• Public Hearing: As an economic development appropriation, this initiative will require notice and a public hearing.
• Launch Helene Relief Programs: ARPA allocations will fund launch Helene Relief with household assistance and small business grants

The County will be working with a third-party administrator and hopes to start allocating money in early December. The $3.1 in ARPA funding was originally slated to be a match for the Completing Access to Broadband BellSouth Telecommunications project.

Keep an eye on the County’s website and social media channels for information on applying for household assistance or small business grants or sign up to receive that update sent directly to you at www.buncombecounty.org/codered.

Disaster recovery consultant contract

After reviewing and scoring 20 proposals, Buncombe County has signed a master agreement with Tetra Tech as its disaster recovery consultant. Tetra Tech has more than 25 years of disaster recovery experience and has assisted with more than 500 local government and state post-disaster relief efforts.

The initial scope of work includes:

• Public and individual assistance advisory services, outreach, and program development
• Outreach and assistance for fire districts, community-based organizations, and schools
• Debris management assistance
• Sheltering and housing support services
• Staff augmentation at the Emergency Operations Center, points of distribution, other places in need of additional staffing
  Hurricane Helene recovery resources:

• Apply for FEMA assistance or call 800-621-3362
• Emergency info and services updates
• Recovery assistance resources
• Up-to-date news