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RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina officials detailed a new strategy for disaster recovery in Western North Carolina, emphasizing efficiency, accountability, and urgency in response to the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene.
During a legislative hearing on January 30, state leaders introduced the Governor's Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), a newly formed state agency designed to prevent the missteps of past recovery efforts, particularly those that plagued the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), also known as ReBuild NC. Officials outlined how the initiative will streamline state and federal funds, ensuring that disaster aid reaches affected communities in a timely and effective manner.
A Push for Urgency and Accountability
Jonathan Krebs, a top official overseeing North Carolina’s disaster recovery, emphasized that Gov. Josh Stein expects an “aggressive and impatient” response to rebuilding efforts. Speaking before lawmakers, Krebs described a recovery structure that prioritizes swift decision-making, financial oversight, and transparent reporting.
“The governor has challenged us to act with urgency,” Krebs said. “We cannot afford delays, and we will not tolerate inefficiency. Every dollar must be accounted for, and every project must deliver results.”
Krebs outlined how GROW NC will serve as an accountability hub, coordinating agencies responsible for spending state and federal recovery funds. The initiative was launched in response to concerns that past disaster responses lacked clarity, consistency, and executive direction.
“One of the lessons learned from previous recovery efforts is that we need a clear and structured approach,” Krebs said. “GROW NC will ensure that agencies remain focused and aligned with the governor’s vision for a faster, more efficient recovery.”
New Division Focused on Western North Carolina
The state has also established the Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) within the Department of Commerce to oversee federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds designated for Western North Carolina.
Deputy Secretary Stephanie McGarrah was appointed to lead the new division. A native of Western North Carolina, she has extensive experience in disaster recovery, having previously managed North Carolina’s Pandemic Recovery Office, which oversaw $11 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funds.
McGarrah emphasized that Western North Carolina requires a dedicated, full-time recovery team rather than a fragmented approach. She is currently the sole employee, she said.
“This is not a part-time job,” she said. “We need a focused group that understands the unique challenges of Western North Carolina and can move quickly to address them.”
Funding Challenges and Legislative Concerns
North Carolina expects to receive $1.2 billion in federal aid for unmet needs and $186 million for mitigation projects. However, state officials acknowledge that this funding will not cover the full scope of damage and rebuilding efforts.
“We know that federal money alone will not be enough to meet the needs of Western North Carolina,” Krebs told lawmakers. “If it’s not federal, it will need to be state or local funding.”
State lawmakers raised concerns about the shortfalls, with some questioning whether the state should allocate additional funds to jumpstart recovery efforts.
“If we already know the federal dollars won’t be enough, should we be putting state money on the table now to fill the gap?” Sen. Mayfield asked.
Krebs responded with a direct “yes”, stating that additional state funding could accelerate housing reconstruction and infrastructure repairs while awaiting federal funds. He also warned that delays in HUD’s approval process could slow access to critical resources.
“HUD funding is expected to be delayed, and there are ongoing challenges that could further postpone its availability,” Krebs said. “State funding could serve as a bridge to ensure recovery moves forward without unnecessary holdups.”
A Focus on Housing, Infrastructure, and Economic Recovery
The state’s action plan, required by HUD before funds are released, will prioritize three key areas:
Housing Recovery – The largest portion of federal funds will go toward repairing and rebuilding single-family homes, as well as rental assistance and affordable housing development.
Infrastructure Repairs – The state will use funds for road and bridge repairs, water and sewer systems, and other essential infrastructure projects.
Economic Recovery – Grants and funding will support small businesses, particularly in tourism-dependent communities, to revitalize commercial areas impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Krebs stressed that housing will be the top priority, noting that 10,000 homes in Western North Carolina were severely damaged.
“Permanent housing solutions are critical,” he said. “These funds will be directed toward rebuilding homes for low-income residents, the elderly, and those with disabilities first.”
Officials also pledged to simplify the home rebuilding process by using standardized designs and working with contractors to accelerate construction timelines.
“We will not be a custom home factory,” Krebs said. “We need to build efficiently, at scale, and with a focus on high-quality, resilient housing.”
Lessons from Past Disasters
During the hearing, lawmakers referenced Governor Roy Cooper’s previous recovery agency, NCORR, which faced widespread criticism for bureaucratic delays, mismanagement, and failure to distribute relief funds effectively.
“Western North Carolina cannot afford another NCORR situation,” said Sen. Daniel, emphasizing the need for clear decision-making and accountability.
Krebs assured legislators that Grow NC and the new recovery structure will operate differently, with daily briefings to the governor and regular reports to lawmakers to ensure transparency.
“The governor is briefed every morning on the status of Western North Carolina recovery,” Krebs said. “We will also provide biweekly updates to the legislature so that everyone remains informed and engaged.”
Federal Advocacy and Next Steps
State officials said they will continue pushing for additional federal aid, with a formal request set for March.
“In addition to state funding options, we are advocating for more federal dollars,” McGarrah said. “We need Washington to recognize the full scale of devastation in Western North Carolina and allocate resources accordingly.”
Legislators also discussed how HUD’s eligibility map excluded areas like Marshall and Hot Springs, despite both towns suffering severe flooding and infrastructure damage.
“We know these areas were devastated, but HUD’s map excludes them,” said Rep. Pless. “That has to be fixed.”
Krebs acknowledged the issue and said the state will use its discretionary 20% of funds to cover those excluded areas rather than delaying the process by challenging HUD’s initial map.
“We have to get started now,” Krebs said. “We cannot wait on HUD to make corrections that could take months or even years.”
Legislative Support and Accountability Measures
Lawmakers signaled their support for the state’s new approach but emphasized the need for strict oversight to avoid waste and mismanagement.
“We are paying for results,” Rep. Gillespie said. “The clock is ticking, and we expect action, not excuses.”
Krebs reiterated that GROW NC will enforce strict performance measures, ensuring that contractors and agencies deliver results—or risk being replaced.
“We will track every dollar, enforce strict contracts, and fire underperforming vendors,” Krebs said. “This recovery effort must be the most effective in the nation.”
State leaders plan to reconvene in two weeks for further discussions, with legislators expecting updates on the progress of the HUD action plan and additional funding proposals.
“This is a long-term mission, but we are committed to making Western North Carolina stronger than before,” Krebs said. “We will act decisively, and we will not fail the people who depend on us.”
Opinion & Analysis
Cops & Congress commentary: Impatience isn’t the same as effectiveness
It has been just over a month since Josh Stein took office as North Carolina’s governor, and his administration is already promising fast, aggressive, and accountable disaster recovery for Western North Carolina. But here’s a question: If Stein’s team couldn’t even manage to change the name of his official Facebook page after his inauguration, how can we trust them to efficiently handle billions in federal disaster relief?
Yes, it’s a small thing. But small things reveal big truths about competence, organization, and attention to detail. And when it comes to disaster recovery, North Carolinians know all too well that big promises don’t always lead to real results.
A History of Broken Recovery Efforts
Western North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, and before that, Eastern North Carolina struggled for years to rebuild after Hurricane Florence. The state's previous disaster agency, NCORR, was a bureaucratic nightmare, plagued with delays, mismanagement, and wasted resources.
At a legislative hearing last week, lawmakers made it clear that they don’t want the failures of NCORR to haunt Western North Carolina. But can GROW NC, Stein’s new recovery initiative, really do better?
State officials are promising accountability, urgency, and strict oversight of contractors and agencies. Jonathan Krebs, one of the top officials overseeing the process, told lawmakers that the governor is “aggressive and impatient” about getting recovery done right. But being impatient isn’t the same as being effective.
The Reality: Recovery Takes Years—And Trust Is Earned
Here’s the truth: Recovery from a major disaster is never quick under government control. Even if Stein and his team are serious about cutting through bureaucracy, HUD funds are already expected to be delayed. State lawmakers are questioning whether the $1.2 billion in federal aid will be enough, and officials are already preparing to ask for more money in March.
Meanwhile, places like Eastern North Carolina are still rebuilding from hurricanes that hit YEARS ago. Thousands of families have waited years for housing assistance. Promises were made—and broken.
So why should Western North Carolina expect anything different under Josh Stein’s leadership?
Leadership Is About the Details
If Stein’s administration can’t handle the basic logistics of something as simple as a Facebook page transition, how will they handle complex, multi-agency disaster recovery efforts?
If his team can’t get something that simple right, why should we trust them to quickly distribute aid, rebuild homes, and ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t wasted?
Leadership is about details, execution, and follow-through. It’s about earning trust—not demanding it.
Stein Needs to Prove Himself—Fast
Western North Carolina doesn’t have time for political theater. People need homes rebuilt. Businesses need to recover. Infrastructure needs to be repaired. The Stein administration says they will act fast and hold people accountable—but we’ve heard that before.
The clock is ticking. If Stein wants to prove he’s different from past failures, he better show results—not just headlines.
And maybe, just maybe, his team should start by fixing the small things. Because if they can’t even manage a Facebook page, how can they manage disaster recovery in western NC?
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