Local first responder hopes to bring life back to a cornerstone building in Western North Carolina

"They have a long road to recovery. The immediate need right now is the long-term aspect."

BRUNSWICK COUNTY (WWAY)–Tropical Storm Helene is still causing quite a few problems for people in Western North Carolina. A Brunswick County first responder is leading a team to help one town that has a symbol of strength—still standing.

For nearly a century, a stone building in Hot Springs has stood as a symbol of community and a hub for memories. Now, it sits quietly with boarded windows.

“My thing is, I come up with these crazy ideas and try to make them happen. So, it’s a community effort from our area to help that community out,” Edward Conrow said.

And, Fire Captain Edward Conrow of Ocean Isle Beach, an unsung hero of Southern Brunswick County is determined to bring it back to life.

“It’s just that little bit of hope. They’ve had a lot of volunteers, but this is a place they can focus at,” Conrow said.

After Tropical Storm Helene swept through, it wasn’t just the roads and homes that felt the storm’s wrath. The town’s infrastructure was destroyed. Yet, this old building with its drop ceilings and weathered wood paneling stood tall when nothing else did.

“They lost a lot of their commercial district which is a tourism industry, the businesses. It’s a big fall place for people to go and gather,” Conrow said.

Conrow says when natural disasters hit regions, the big cities and towns often get most of the attention, and smaller towns struggle to recover.

“Our goal is to travel out there and rehabilitate the community center. Strip it down all new walls, insulation, plumbing, and electrical. Give them a focal point they can gather in because they don’t have that right now,” Conrow said.

This isn’t his first time doing this.

“They have a long road to recovery. The immediate need right now is the long-term aspect,” Conrow said.

So, for four days, Conrow and a team of 30 will travel to the western part of the state, turning a landmark back into a cornerstone for a small town in Western North Carolina.

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