Disaster Recovery Grants to Dare County and the Ocracoke Foundation | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Approaching the one year anniversary of Hurricane Matthew's landfall in North Carolina, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors authorized grants to the County of Dare and the Ocracoke Foundation of Hyde County yesterday, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017.

    Securing state appropriations to the Golden LEAF and many other state agencies to assist in Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts, Representative Beverly Boswell (R-Dare) and Senator Bill Cook (R-Beaufort) are pleased with the announcement. Supporting those impacted by Hurricane Matthew, both Boswell and Cook had breakfast with Governor Roy Cooper at the Executive Mansion back in May of this year to discuss Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts.

    "Recovering from Hurricane Matthew has truly been a team effort and I am proud of the cooperation between the state and our federal and local partners. Additionally, Dare County has been awarded $162,000 for the repair, restoration and stabilization of a cemetery on Hatteras Island." Boswell said. "The announcement of these grants marks another step forward in providing assistance to hardworking families and businesses in Eastern North Carolina. Rising waters might flood our communities and crumble our roads, but they cannot wash away our resilience or the spirit to rebuild."

    Approximately $1.5 billion in federal and state money has been committed for Hurricane Matthew recovery to date, including funds allocated but not yet received on the ground. That includes FEMA assistance for individuals, families and communities through the Individual and Public Assistance programs, National Flood Insurance Program claims, Small Business Administration loans, grants to buyout or elevate housing, and funds for damage to farms and highways.

    "Securing funds for our communities to recover from Hurricane Matthew is vital to replace damaged facilities and infrastructure," Cook said. "Thanks to responsible spending and record savings which positions our state in sound financial shape to serve our citizens in times of crisis."

    North Carolina has built a $1.8 billion savings reserve, a state record in total dollars and percentage of the state budget, to prepare for future natural disasters.

    "While I was in Raleigh meeting with Senator Cook and Representative Boswell, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2017 was moving through the legislative process, and it came to my attention that Dare County would be eligible to apply for reimbursement to cover our Hurricane Matthew emergency dredging project," said Dare County Commissioner Jim Tobin, and Chairman of the Oregon Inlet Task Force Advisory Committee. "I appreciate the Golden LEAF Board of Directors and our legislators for not only recognizing the need but also moving quickly to get these funds approved."

    The Wanchese Harbor of Dare County, NC experienced excessive shoaling due to Hurricane Matthew back in October 2016. The impact prevented fishing vessels from entering or leaving the harbor. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' South Atlantic Division, in concert with the Corps Wilmington District Office, partnered with Dare County to initiate emergency dredging for the harbor. The $133,665 grant from Golden LEAF to Dare County is to reimburse the County for the emergency dredging of the channel following Hurricane Matthew. The Ocracoke Foundation receives $175,820 in disaster recovery grant funding for repairs at the historic Will Willis Fish House and Dock.

    "As we work to make sure North Carolina recovers stronger than before, Golden LEAF is committed to addressing the unmet needs of our citizens still suffering, and I appreciate the leadership of Representative Boswell for bringing this matter to our attention," said Jim Gardner, Member of Golden LEAF's Board of Directors.

    The N.C. General Assembly has entrusted the Golden LEAF Foundation with funds to continue providing disaster recovery grants. And Golden LEAF is continuing to accept applications for disaster recovery grant funding to assist in the Hurricane Matthew recovery efforts. More information is available here: http://goldenleaf.org/DisasterRecoveryGrantProgram.html

    "Golden LEAF is pleased to support these efforts and are grateful for the responsibility directed to us by the N.C. General Assembly to focus on communities that were hit hard by Hurricane Matthew," said Dan Gerlach, president of Golden LEAF.

• Contact: Beth Strandberg
•     (919) 733-5906