Buncombe County Helene Recovery staff are outlining an early overview of potential projects and priorities for the state’s competitive Commercial District Revitalization (CDR) Program grant, an opportunity funded through Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR). The state funding aims to revitalize business areas after Helene. This marks the beginning of a multi-month planning process to identify and advance projects that support long term economic recovery.

“Recovery is not just about rebuilding structures. It’s about restoring commercial vitality and ensuring these areas can thrive into the future,” said Economic Development Program Analyst E.B. Odderstol. “Our goal is to identify projects that both address storm impacts and create the conditions for long term economic stability.”

About the proposed projects

The Helene Recovery Plan outlined the need to support activities to revitalize commercial corridors with 76% of businesses in Buncombe County reporting physical damage from Tropical Storm Helene, and 93% reporting financial losses according to a Riverbird Research Survey. To make the strongest application for these competitive funds, the County has developed three draft projects that support major needs in business corridors devastated by Helene. The projects have gone through the state-level prescreening process, an important first step in establishing eligibility.  

• Swannanoa Commercial Corridor Revitalization: Pedestrian and sidewalk infrastructure improvements along the Highway 70 commercial area in Swannanoa, prioritizing proposed sidewalks between Warren Wilson Road and Whitson Avenue to improve safety and access to businesses.
• Commercial Corridor Remediation and Revitalization: Storm-damaged property remediation in impacted commercial areas, including cleanup, debris abatement, code compliance, and addressing unsafe structures to reduce blight and support reinvestment.   
• Commercial Corridor HMGP Property Activation: Activation of properties acquired through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), with potential uses such as greenways, passive recreation, and agricultural activities that support surrounding commercial corridors.

“This is a working set of ideas,” Helene Recovery Officer Kevin Madsen emphasized. “We expect these concepts to evolve as we continue planning, gather community feedback in the public comment period, and ensure alignment with federal and state requirements. These project proposals are the first step in developing applications that are both competitive at the state level and impactful for residents and businesses here at home.”

Public Comment Period

Public engagement is a required component of the CDBG-DR process. Community input will help refine the final project proposals, propose additional project ideas, and strengthen the County’s competitive applications. Buncombe County will hold two public hearings at Board of Commissioners meetings on May 19 and July 21, along with a public comment period to gather feedback. The public comment period will be open from May 8 through June 5. To offer input, residents can plan to speak at a public hearing or submit a comment. Public comment can be shared with the Helene Recovery Office by email at [email protected]; by phone at 828-250-6100; or in writing to the attention of the Buncombe County Helene Recovery Office at 200 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Please include in the email subject line: “Commercial District Revitalization Comment.” Any comments submitted are official public record.

Public Hearing 1

May 19 Board of Commissioners Meeting

5 p.m. in Commissioners Chambers at 200 College St., Asheville

Anticipated Public Hearing 2

July 21 Board of Commissioners Meeting

5 p.m. in Commissioners Chambers at 200 College St., Asheville

About the Funding

North Carolina received approximately $1.4 billion in CDBG-DR funding to support rebuilding efforts tied to the storm, with the Commercial District Revitalization (CDR) program offering $111 million statewide for physical improvements in storm-impacted commercial areas. Forty million dollars is available in the first round, and each project may receive up to $10 million. Local governments and nonprofits are eligible to apply, and no local match is required. The CDR program is designed to help communities restore economic activity by repairing damaged commercial districts, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring long-term resilience. Only local governments and nonprofits are eligible to apply for CDR funding. Individual businesses are not eligible to apply directly for the state’s Commercial District Revitalization program. Eligible project types include new construction, repair and rehabilitation, hazard mitigation, and other physical improvements that support businesses and commercial areas. Program rules do not allow uses such as workforce development programming or working capital grants. 

Project Timeline

The application window for this funding is already open, with Buncombe County expecting to develop and submit proposals over the next two to three and a half months. The deadline for submission is August 4. Following state review, selected projects will enter additional phases, including environmental review and compliance steps.

For more information and to follow ongoing updates, visit the Buncombe County website or view the full presentation from the or watch the April 21 Commissioners briefing presentation. Read the complete Public Notice.