RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein announced nearly $8.5 million in a third round of grants for 13 projects aimed at aiding small businesses recovering from Hurricane Helene and bolstering public infrastructure in western North Carolina.
The third round brings the program’s total investment in Helene recovery to nearly $30 million since November 2025.
“Small businesses can’t operate without reliable infrastructure,” Stein said in a March 20 press release. “These investments will help communities repair essential systems, reduce future risk, and ensure local entrepreneurs have the dependable services they need to serve customers and grow. I thank the General Assembly for its partnership in funding these investments.”
The funding will support 13 local projects through the state’s Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program (SmBIZ), which was established by a $55 million appropriation from the North Carolina General Assembly.
SmBIZ offers grants of up to $1 million to local governments for repairing and upgrading water and sewer lines, stormwater systems, utilities and downtown streetscapes that directly serve small business districts and economic corridors. More details on SmBIZ can be found at commerce.nc.gov/SmBIZ
A breakdown of the awards by project can be seen at tinyurl.com/NSJ-WNC-3rd.
The awards, consolidated by county, are as follows:
- Ashe County: $2,307,659
- Caldwell County: $500,000
- Jackson County: $1,431,635
- Mitchell County: $4,240,000
Local governments in eligible counties can still apply for remaining funds while they last.
The almost $8.5 million in grants follows Stein’s February announcement of $5.7 million for flood resiliency projects.
