Our new Division of Community Revitalization (DCR) was established by Governor Josh Stein’s Executive Order No. 3, directing us to oversee the rebuilding of homes destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Helene and to coordinate and lead efforts to revitalize the economy of western North Carolina.

Our Mission

We support disaster-impacted communities in western North Carolina by addressing long-term housing needs and helping the region rebuild stronger and more resilient than ever. 

Using $1.4 billion in federal Community Development Block Grants-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding recently announced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), DCR will be responsible for delivering housing recovery to areas of North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. These CDBG-DR funds, designed for longer-term rebuilding rather than the immediate need for shelter, are not yet in hand and applications are not being accepted yet. The DCR is working closely with the Governor, GROW NC, and HUD to deliver long-term and meaningful recovery to Western North Carolina as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Our Leadership

Stephanie McGarrah serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Division of Community Revitalization. A native of Lake Junaluska, Stephanie brings decades of leadership and policy expertise to this vital initiative. Her deep understanding of the region, combined with her extensive experience in economic recovery and public service, makes her uniquely qualified to lead this important work.

Our Commitment to Transparency

Transparency, focus, and accountability are at the core of everything we do. We are committed to keeping the public informed about recovery progress and ensuring that resources are used as efficiently and equitably as possible to benefit the people and communities of western North Carolina.

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like more information about the Division of Community Revitalization, please contact us at helene.recovery@commerce.nc.gov.