RALEIGH – North Carolina awarded about $5.1 million across seven infrastructure projects serving five western local governments, targeting water, stormwater, sidewalks and commercial districts recovering from Hurricane Helene.
The listed grants total $5,085,450, which the state described as $5 million in its announcement. Hayesville received three $1 million awards for a retaining wall and sidewalk work, downtown stormwater and sidewalk improvements, and repairs along the Mill Street corridor.
Bryson City received $965,968 to restore its public water system south of the Tuckasegee River. Buncombe County received $786,291 for sidewalk work on Railroad, South and Alexander streets in Beacon Village. West Jefferson received $233,191 for infrastructure serving its downtown commercial area, and Elk Park received $100,000 to replace a failing Main Street culvert.
The awards are the fourth round from the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program, known as SmBIZ. Since 2025, the program has awarded more than $36 million across 51 projects, including streetscape repairs, water and sewer lines, stormwater controls and utility relocation, according to the state.
Queen City News separately reported the West Jefferson and Elk Park awards and Hayesville’s three-grant total. The announcement awards the funding; it does not report completed construction, so local implementation remains ahead.
Eligible local governments may continue applying while funding remains available.