Western North Carolina nonprofits, business owners eager for latest relief funds [Video]

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — On Wednesday, Senate Bill 382 officially became law in North Carolina, providing hundreds of millions in new Hurricane relief funding for western North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The controversial bill carves out $227 million in new aid but ties it to changes in the political landscape — including reforms that strip certain powers away from the incoming governor and attorney general.

As that money comes online, western North Carolina nonprofits and business owners say the new funds can’t come soon enough.

“Having any additional money is going to be phenomenal, and it’s needed really bad,” said Bradley Honeycutt, founder of Appalachian Disaster Coalition.

A lot of the physical needs have been met. But financial is what’s needed right now because just the rebuilding needs are just so great.

– Emily Young, Bakersville business owner

Honeycutt started the no-profit after Helene tore its path through the mountains, including his hometown of Burnsville. The coalition collects …