As communities across North Carolina still reel from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, there's a new beacon of financial relief in sight. The state's Department of State Treasurer (DST) is rolling out the second round of cashflow loans specifically focused on local governments battered by last year's storms, according to an official announcement released yesterday.
The program, as part of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 passed on December 11, 2024, boasts a total pool of $100 million—of which, roughly $47.5 million has already been claimed in the first round, leaving about $50 million up for grabs for those municipalities clawing back from Helene's ruinous embrace. According to the DST's recent press release, local government entities have until June 6 to apply for this next wave of financial aid, and the DST staff will begin calculating potential loan amounts once all requests are in.
This influx of support comes when it's most needed as Helene's aftermath left a costly legacy of destruction, from demolished infrastructure to displaced communities, the local governments that served as the first line of response now face the daunting task of rebuilding with coffers strained and reserves depleted. The loans are designed to breathe life into these efforts, providing a necessary lifeline to ensure essential services can continue to operate while recovery progresses.
For local leaders looking to navigate the application maze, the N.C. DST's website offers detailed guidance and criteria for qualification—promptness is key, however, as the deadline for applications looms near. Amid planning and rebuilding, the financial burden can be staggering for these local entities, but through the Disaster Recovery Act's cashflow loan program, there's an avenue for reclamation and hope that, piece by piece, the tarnished landscapes and uprooted lives can begin to find form once more and restoration can become not just an ideal but an attainable reality.
