Counties affected by Hurricane Matthew eligible for $10 million in grants

SOUTHEASTERN NC (WWAY) — Dozens of North Carolina counties hit by Hurricane Matthew will soon be able to receive additional state disaster funds needed to fix or replace their water and sewer systems, Governor Roy Cooper announced today.

“Many North Carolina communities suffered serious damage from Hurricane Matthew and the floods that followed,” Cooper said. “These funds will help communities restore or replace vital water and sewer systems impacted by the storm.”

According to a news release, the State Water Infrastructure Authority has approved $10 million to help fund water and sewer system improvements for 45 counties in eastern and central North Carolina. Hurricane Matthew had a considerable impact on water infrastructure for these 45 counties in eastern North Carolina, but the counties have not received the same level of federal funding as the five hardest-hit counties in the state. The state funds will go to projects that cannot be funded by the Federal Emergency Management Act.

The grants come from $10 million in funding directed by legislators to the state Division of Water Infrastructure as part of the state Community Development Block Grant  program. At the Governor’s request, funds are being used to help counties impacted by Hurricane Matthew with water and sewer system needs.

“We’re using these water funds to help communities recover from Matthew, and appreciate that the Water Infrastructure Authority recognizes these needs,” said Gov. Cooper.

CDBG funds are provided to states by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for community development projects.

Local governments have until September 29 to apply for funding to help with drinking water and waste water projects, with extensions granted until October 31. Additional information is available on the Division of Environmental Quality’s website.

Counties in our area eligible to apply include Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender.

Cities that receive annual CDBG dollars directly from HUD are not eligible to apply, including Goldsboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, New Bern, Rocky Mount and Wilmington.