ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has launched a program to help Western North Carolina communities recover from Tropical Storm Helene and compete for long-term rebuilding funds.

The Western NC Recovery Grants Program will provide free grant-writing and technical assistance to towns, counties, councils of government and eligible nonprofits across 39 federally declared disaster counties, as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

“Hurricane Helene hit our rural mountain communities hard, and many local governments lack the staff capacity to pursue recovery funding,” DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said in a statement. “This program ensures they have the support needed to compete for the resources required to recover, rebuild and strengthen their communities’ resilience to future weather hazards.”

DEQ staff will help local governments prepare state and federal applications, including proposal development, budget preparation, funding assessments and evaluation requirements. The support comes as state agencies roll out new grant opportunities and many communities continue to seek federal FEMA assistance.

The program includes guidance on identifying funding sources, one-on-one grant preparation support and assistance for nonprofit organizations partnering with local governments. Construction-related projects must have site control or ownership to qualify for most state and federal grants.

Communities can request assistance through an online form on the Western NC Recovery Grants Program webpage. The program will remain open year-round, though applicants are encouraged to note any upcoming deadlines.

The effort is part of DEQ’s broader Helene recovery work, which also includes water infrastructure funding, river debris cleanup and long-term resilience planning.