Exclusive details: Local elected leaders lobby for federal funds
Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O'Leary, Lake Lure Mayor Pro Tem Dave DiOrio and elected officials meet with President Biden to push for Hurricane Helene relief aid.
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Amid recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene, Lake Lure’s Mayor Pro Tem Dave DiOrio joined Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O’Leary and other North Carolina officials in Washington, D.C. this week to advocate for federal disaster relief funding. DiOrio, alongside state and municipal leaders, participated in a closed-door meeting with President Joe Biden and Governor Roy Cooper at the White House to address ongoing recovery challenges and secure additional resources for hard-hit communities.
The November 20 meeting underscored the Biden administration’s commitment to aiding North Carolina's rebuilding efforts. According to a White House readout, President Biden emphasized the federal government’s partnership with local leaders, stating, “The Administration is dedicated to ensuring communities have the resources they need to rebuild homes, businesses, and entire communities as quickly as possible.”
At the Chimney Rock Village town council meeting the day before, O’Leary explained that the trip was paid for by the American Flood Coalition. You can watch the exclusive video on my TikTok and/or Facebook pages.
“This week, I sat down with Governor Cooper and elected officials from hard-hit western North Carolina to thank them in person for their partnership as we continue our focus on hurricane recovery efforts,” Biden said. “We are doing everything we can to get your communities what they need in these difficult times. Additionally, you've got my word that we will work with my successor's transition team to explain the urgency of recovery efforts in North Carolina – and urge them to stay there until the job is done.”
In a statement yesterday, Lake Lure Communications Director Laura Krejci said,
“Lake Lure Mayor Pro-Tem Dave DiOrio joined a North Carolina delegation to Washington DC, led by Governor Cooper and Gov-Elect Stein. They met with the President and all our Congressional Representatives to support a $25.6 billion dollar request for disaster assistance. The delegation explained the devastating impact of the storm in the mountain areas that caused more severe damage than a typical lowland tidal surge. Dr. DiOrio, along with Chimney Rock Mayor O’Leary, briefed our representatives and several key federal agencies on the Hickory Nut Gorge storm impact and what is needed to recover. Much of our infrastructure was flooded beyond repair or physically washed away requiring an immediate need for new resilient systems located out of flood plains. Our dam is a key component of the regional flood mitigation network and a case was made for a new modern structure. These efforts require significant federal funding well beyond anything North Carolina has previously requested. Our representative leadership in Washington offered full support and there is a high degree of confidence that a substantial recovery appropriation bill (the first of many) will be signed by mid-December. This appropriation will fill the federal agency coffers and provide North Carolina with a pool of capital that is expected to expedite our progress on specific projects. Stay tuned to these updates as new information becomes available.”
Mayor Pro Tem Dave DiOrio brought attention to Lake Lure’s specific challenges, including infrastructure damage and environmental concerns stemming from Hurricane Helene. The town has been grappling with widespread flooding, landslides, and severe erosion that have impacted its iconic lake, a cornerstone of its economy and tourism industry.
Lake Lure’s 2007-2027 Comprehensive Plan identified critical vulnerabilities long before Helene struck, calling for improvements to transportation infrastructure, enhanced lake management, and sustainable growth strategies. However, funding limitations have delayed the implementation of these measures. The storm’s aftermath has brought new urgency to these priorities, as DiOrio highlighted in his discussions with federal officials.
“I appreciate Sen. Tillis, Sen. Budd, Rep. Edwards, Rep. Ross, and Rep.-elect Moore for their focus on recovery and rebuilding. It’s time for state legislators to do the same — this is job one for all of us,” Governor-elect Josh Stein said.
Governor Roy Cooper’s $25.57-billion request includes:
$7.41 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation and FEMA for transportation needs including rebuilding and repairing interstates, highways, state and municipal roads and bridges, railroad tracks, general aviation airports and more.
Almost $6 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for housing recovery, economic revitalization, water quality and infrastructure, rebuilding private roads and bridges and more.
$1.75 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Community Disaster Loan Program.
$1.67 billion from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for crop and timber loss relief, watershed protections, conservation, forest restorations, rural water and waste disposal and more.
$1.23 billion from the Small Business Administration from the Home and Personal Property Disaster Loan Program, and loans covering physical damage and economic injury.
The meeting featured a diverse coalition of smaller-town leaders like DiOrio signaled a commitment to ensuring rural communities receive support. According to a White House press pool report, participants in the meeting included:
Roy Cooper, Governor
Mayor Esther Manheimer, Asheville
Chair-Elect Amanda Edwards, Buncombe County
Commissioner Parker Sloan, Buncombe County
Mayor Zeb Smathers, Canton
Mayor Pro Tem Dave DiOrio, Lake Lure
Mayor Peter O'Leary, Chimney Rock
Mayor Phillip Hise, Spruce Pine
County Manager Rod Honeycutt, Madison County
Grant Carlisle, Buncombe County Advocate
As federal funding discussions continue, Lake Lure’s leaders remain focused on both immediate needs and long-term solutions. The town’s ability to adapt and implement its Comprehensive Plan could determine its resilience in the face of an increasingly unpredictable climate. For now, the White House meeting has offered hope that Lake Lure, along with other North Carolina communities, will receive the support needed to rebuild stronger than before.
Opinion & Analysis
Cops & Congress Commentary: What Could President Trump’s Return Mean for Lake Lure and Western North Carolina?
As Donald Trump prepares to retake the presidency in January, rural areas like Lake Lure could face sweeping changes to federal disaster relief and funding priorities. Trump’s second presidency raises critical questions for WNC communities still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. As rural towns like Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and the Hickory Nut Gorge region rebuild, the potential for a Trump-led overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal programs looms large.
During his first term, Trump’s approach to disaster relief favored a mix of deregulation and state-led initiatives. Could that strategy take on new significance, particularly in small tourist-dependent communities? Here’s what I’m expecting:
A Revamped FEMA: Streamlining or Sidestepping?
If Trump follows his earlier playbook, FEMA may see substantial restructuring. Trump often criticized the agency for inefficiency during his first term and hinted at delegating disaster relief responsibilities to the states.
For Lake Lure, which relies heavily on federal disaster aid to repair infrastructure and manage environmental damage, a more state-centric FEMA could mean slower funding or increased competition for resources. WNC may need to lean harder on Raleigh for support.
What’s unclear is whether Trump would preserve FEMA’s pre-disaster mitigation programs. These funds are vital for flood-prone areas like Chimney Rock and the Hickory Nut Gorge, which face repeated threats of landslides and erosion.
Rural Infrastructure Overhaul: Opportunity or Overpromise?
During his 2016 campaign, Trump promised substantial investment in infrastructure, but much of it focused on urban and suburban areas. If he shifts gears to prioritize rural America this time, towns like Lake Lure could benefit from expanded funding for roads, dams, and emergency response facilities.
Western North Carolina’s aging infrastructure—highlighted in Lake Lure’s 2007-2027 Comprehensive Plan—needs critical updates. Projects like the long-discussed road to loop around the lake could get the green light under a federal initiative targeting rural infrastructure.
However, Trump’s infrastructure push may hinge on private investment and public-private partnerships, potentially sidelining smaller towns.
Tourism-Driven Economies Could Face Federal Cuts
Trump’s America First agenda often deprioritized federal spending on programs deemed non-essential. Tourism, a lifeblood for Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, could face significant changes. Federal grants supporting outdoor recreation and environmental conservation, such as those tied to Hickory Nut Gorge area parks, may be scaled back.
Local leaders may need to emphasize self-sufficiency, bolstering town-level funding mechanisms and attracting private partnerships to sustain tourism-driven economies. Alternatively, a rollback in environmental regulations could open doors for commercial developments in pristine areas—a double-edged sword for communities balancing growth with conservation.
Law Enforcement and Emergency Preparedness: Local Challenges Ahead
Trump has consistently emphasized "law and order" policies, which could lead to increased federal support for policing. However, this approach may not translate directly to disaster readiness. Rural emergency services in WNC often rely on federal grants for equipment and training—funding that could be reallocated under Trump’s priorities.
Lake Lure would need to adapt if federal emergency preparedness programs shrink. Could a push for local control leave these communities scrambling for resources in the face of future hurricanes?
A Shift in Climate Policy: What It Means for Disaster Mitigation
Perhaps the most significant shift will be in climate-related policies. During his first term, Trump rolled back regulations addressing climate change and redirected funds away from renewable energy and environmental initiatives. A second term could see these efforts expand, potentially limiting FEMA’s ability to fund mitigation projects specifically aimed at combating climate-related risks.
For Lake Lure, where erosion and flooding are increasing threats, this could spell trouble. Without federal backing, the town may need to seek creative solutions, such as regional coalitions or public-private partnerships, to protect its natural resources and infrastructure.
A Balancing Act for Western North Carolina
As Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, Western North Carolina faces a crossroads. On one hand, rural-focused policies could bring overdue investment in infrastructure and emergency preparedness. On the other, a federal retreat from disaster mitigation and environmental protections could leave communities like Lake Lure and Chimney Rock more vulnerable than ever.
In the months ahead, local leaders must advocate fiercely to ensure their priorities are not overshadowed by larger metropolitan needs. Dave DiOrio and others who recently met with President Biden have already shown the importance of being proactive at the federal level. Under Trump’s leadership, this kind of engagement will be more critical than ever to ensure rural voices are heard.
The stakes for Lake Lure, Chimney Rock, and the broader Hickory Nut Gorge are enormous. Will a Trump-led federal government rise to the challenge? Time will tell.
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