ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Nearly any drive through Western North Carolina passes areas where families, business owners and entire towns are still recovering after Tropical Storm Helene brought down trees and unleashed floodwaters.

On Monday, Gov. Josh Stein visited Carolina Domes in Union Mills to propose additional funding for the recovery effort. The governor is pushing for an additional $891 million to help WNC rebuild.

“Western North Carolina is coming back strong, but there is much more work to do,” Stein said in a news release. “I urge the General Assembly to pass a second round of funding so that the rebuilding and recovery efforts can continue as quickly and effectively as possible.”

Stein’s budget proposal includes:

  • $260 million to spur economic recovery by supporting businesses and local governments and promoting Western North Carolina’s tourism industry.
  • $239 million to strengthen critical infrastructure by repairing damaged schools, expanding debris clean-up and investing in projects to safeguard against future disasters.
  • $113 million to advance housing recovery and provide assistance to families who have struggled with rent, mortgage and utility bills.
  • $105 million to rehabilitate waterways and land used by farmers as well as fund wildfire prevention and response.
  • $23 million to address food insecurity in western North Carolina and the needs of affected community colleges.
  • $152 million for required state matching of federal disaster programs, investments in communication and disaster system improvements and existing requirements that are not funded by state or federal dollars.

During Small Business Week, Stein and North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley highlighted small businesses in Marshall that were impacted by Helene. He also announced that Dogwood Health Trust, Duke Endowment and the State of North Carolina have distributed $55 million to more than 2,000 businesses in WNC.

The State of North Carolina has also launched an additional $55 million state infrastructure program allowing local governments to apply for up to $1 million to rebuild public infrastructure that small businesses rely on, such as sidewalks and sewers.

Investing in the economy, housing, infrastructure, farmers, forests, and families now will help WNC recover and help the entire state in the years to come, the governor said in a Facebook post.

Click here to read Stein’s full Helene recovery budget proposal.