Funding Programs

If disaster strikes your residence or business, there are funding programs available that are specific to this type of circumstance. Below is a listing of currently known / available funding sources. This list is continuously updated, as funding sources frequently change. Please click on the heading to get to the Resource/Information Page or links for more information.

Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 (ASADRA)

  • All funds will be awarded in July 2020
  • Submit full SRF application
  • Funding Available:
    • CWSRF (sewer and some stormwater)  - Approx. $23M available
    • DWSRF (water) – Approx. $82M available
    • Principal Forgiveness (PF) - Between 20%-30% (approx. $26M) available for both programs
  • Difference in Principal Forgiveness
    • Affordability
      • Regular SRF rounds only offer PF up to $500,000 based on affordability.  The ASADRA funding offers PF up to $1M based on the affordability criteria.
    • Relocating infrastructure out of 1%/100-year floodplain applicant is eligible for 100% Principal Forgiveness up to $3M (Line Item 2.N.1)
    • Project elevates infrastructure in the floodplain, improves ability to assure continue operation during flood events, or reduces the size of infrastructure as a result of a buyout or other abrupt loss of population (Line Item 2.N.2) -or- Project repairs infrastructure damaged during covered event (Line Item 2.N.3), applicant is eligible for a max of 25% Principal Forgiveness up to $1M
    • If project will consolidate a nonviable drinking water or wastewater utility (Line Item 1.A)
      • If an applicant receives these points, they are eligible for 100% PF up to $3M
  • ASADRA Eligibility:
    • Be otherwise eligible of SRF
    • System must document impact to utility from Hurricanes Florence and/or Michael (disaster declaration not enough)
    • Project serves one of the following purposes:
      • Facilitates preparation for, adaption to or recovery from rapid hydrologic change (flooding) or any other type of natural disaster
      • Reduces likelihood of damage to systems
      • Reduces the susceptibility to system damage from flood, fire or earthquake (federal language)
      • Facilitates preparation for, adaptation to, or recovery from flooding
    • Greater than 50% of the construction costs serves one of the above purposes to be eligible for ASADRA

NC Rapid Recovery: COVID-19 Aid

There is $15 million in funding available for small businesses who have suffered losses due to COVID-19. A consortium of public, private, and nonprofit partners have come together and launched this innovative recovery-lending program to help support entrepreneurs and stabilize North Carolina’s small business sector. Click here for information.

FEMA Reimbursement for COVID-19

Eligible emergency protective measures taken to respond to the pandemic at the direction or guidance of public health officials may be reimbursed under Category B of FEMA's public assistance program. Click here for more information.

NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency

NCORR has two programs to assist local governments adversely affected by Hurricane Florence and/or Hurricane Dorian:

  • State Grants for Financially Distressed Local Governments
  • State Revolving Loans for Temporary Cash Assistance to Local Governments
Grants of up to $1,000,000 are available for eligible governments. Zero interest loans are available for up to $2,000,000 for eligible governments. A second application period is open now, and NCORR will continue to accept applications until all program funds are awarded.
For information on applying for the grants or revolving loan, check for NOFA on the NCORR website.
NCORR has also posted the draft action plan for CDBG-DR for Hurricane Florence funding. Public comment is being sought through March 8. The "most impacted and distressed" areas are listed as Brunwsick, Columbus, New Hanover, Pender and Robeson counties along with Clarkton, Laurinburg and Spring Lake zip codes. Click here for information.

Golden Leaf

The State of North Carolina provided funds to the Golden LEAF Foundation to make grants to governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits to repair or replace infrastructure and equipment damaged or destroyed by Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Michael, and Dorian. Infrastructure includes nonresidential buildings that serve the public, water, sewer, stormwater, and other publicly owned assets.
This program is intended to address unmet needs following insurance and available federal assistance including FEMA Public Assistance and/or an SBA loan. Please go to Golden LEAF Foundation website for FAQ's on the program and link to application portal.

 

A new initiative, Golden Leaf Opportunities for Work (GLOW), is providing funding to tackle workforce issues in North Carolina. The program aims to close the skills gap for working-age adults, provide educational opportunities, and prepare adults for high-demand fields in their community or region. Deadline for funding applications is noon March 6, 2020. Click here to learn more and access the application.

EDA

  • EDA provides assistance for construction of new public assets or renovation of existing assets that will foster job creation or job retention and lead to private investment.
  • EDA also provides limited funding for technical assistance studies to support strong economic development decision-making, including impact studies, feasibility studies, or cost/benefit analysis.
  • Information on EDA's funding programs is available here.

CDBG-DR Administered through NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency.Emergency Management 

  • Up to $1,000,000.00 available for Housing activities including repair, rehab, replacement, clearing and several others.
  • Additional Community Recovery Activities allowed include Health Clinics, day care centers, senior centers, libraries, infrastructure activities in support of community recovery plans. 
  • Call 211 to schedule an intake appointment with ReBuild NC staff.

$150M available from USDA to help rural communities affected by natural disasters

More than 100 types of projects are eligible for the Community Facilities funding. Grant applications will be accepted at USDA state offices until funding is exhausted. For more information, click here.

$587M in disaster recovery aid available through EDA

If your community was affected by Hurricane Florence and/or T.S. Michael, please be aware that additional funding sources were recently announced by the federal government to help address unmet needs. 

The U.S. Economic Development Association has approximately $587 million in FY19 supplemental appropriations available for disaster recovery grants. All counties and entities in the Southeastern Economic Development Commission jurisdiction are eligible for Florence and Michael-related funding. If your community is still struggling with addressing unmet disaster needs, then we encourage you to look into this funding opportunity. 

The full announcement of FY 2019 EDA Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is available on grants.gov.

Your application should contain development strategies with a collaborative, regional focus with resilience and economic growth in mind. Additionally your request will need to be tied to disaster recovery and resiliency. Click here for U.S. Department of Commerce disaster recovery investment priorities.

Applications will be accepted and considered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available, so communities should submit their applications promptly.

Have questions or need assistance with preparing an application? Please contact Pam Bostic at pbostic@sednc.org.  

N.C. Division of Water Infrastructure

Resources for housing and community development initiatives

  • Awards grants to local unit of governments for housing, housing related activities, and facilities that support housing activities for low-to moderate-income persons.  
  • $750,000 maximum award
  • Contact Program Iris Payne at (919) 814-4663 or (TDD 1-800-735-2962).     
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency has non-disaster mitigation funding available on an annual basis: the Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Flood Mitigation Assistance. The 2019 cycle has passed
  • FMA grants are available to implement measures to reduce or eliminate risk of severe repetitive and repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  
  • PDM grants are available to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on federal funding in future disasters.

NC Rural Center

Thread Capital and the NC Rural Center are ready to deliver services to support affected North Carolina businesses and farms. Thread Capital will be accepting loan applications for six-month interest-free loans beginning next week. Loan amounts will be up to $50,000 based on the size of the business, and are intended to bridge the timing gap until insurance and SBA loan funds are received. Additional information on this loan option is available here. 

More resources available for business owners and farmers:

·         SBTDC for business counseling, access to capital, and long-term recovery resources.

·         NC Emergency Management for recovery resources and emergency preparedness.  

·         BLNC for a directory of business resources through their toll-free number 800.228.8443.

·         Disaster Unemployment Assistance for unemployment insurance benefits due to a natural disaster.

·         NC Department of Agriculture for resources to assist farmers.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

  • Funds for projects aimed to minimize the impact of future storms. 
  • $100,000,000 in estimated funds.
  • For more information, click here. 
 

Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, USDA Rural Development

  • This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.
  • Find your area of the state by visiting here.

U.S. Small Business Administration

  • Federal disaster loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners, and renters.
  • Contact: NC@sba.gov.
  • Click for more information.

NC Housing Finance Agency

  • Rehabilitation loan with deferred payments for those who are elderly, disabled or whose incomes are below 80% of the area MHI.
  • Information is available here.