Brownfields - Hazwaste Helene Recovery Grant

The Brownfields - Hazwaste Helene Recovery Grant is administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) through its Brownfields Redevelopment Section within the Division of Waste Management. This state-funded program was established to support environmental assessment and redevelopment planning for properties affected by Hurricane Helene. With a total funding pool of $5,025,931, the program provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to help communities evaluate environmental risks and determine the highest and best use for properties impacted by the storm. The grant is designed to address properties that were in productive use at the time of Hurricane Helene and have since become idled or comparatively underutilized as a result of the disaster. Ideal candidate properties include sites with environmental concerns either pre-existing or caused by the hurricane, such as former industrial properties, gas stations, dry cleaners, fill sites, and locations affected by petroleum tank displacement or sediment deposition from flooding. The program funds environmental assessments that answer critical questions regarding mitigation necessary for new or renovated structures, environmental risks to properties, and future redevelopment potential. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public-private partnerships, and units of local government in North Carolina. Private property owners may also apply but must secure support from their local government as a required partnership condition. This partnership requirement ensures that redevelopment efforts align with broader community recovery goals and local planning priorities. The program operates through a direct-to-vendor payment mechanism under cooperative agreements, meaning that assessment work is paid directly to the environmental service providers conducting the work. The application process requires completion of a Hurricane Helene Intake Form, which is available through the DEQ Waste Management electronic document system. There is currently no queue or prioritization system in place, though the program notes that if private interest increases, sites may eventually need to be prioritized based on community benefit criteria. The application deadline is March 2, 2026, and this is a one-time funding opportunity with a fixed deadline. Multiple deadlines may apply for different funding rounds The program focuses specifically on environmental assessment activities classified under solid waste and environmental services. Grant funds support the evaluation of brownfield sites to determine contamination levels, assess environmental risks, and plan for safe redevelopment. This is particularly important in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which may have disturbed existing contamination or introduced new environmental hazards through flooding, debris, and infrastructure damage. Additional resources are available from DEQ including a program fact sheet, webinar recordings, and webinar slides that provide further detail on the program requirements and application process. For questions or additional information, interested parties should contact Jordan Thompson at [email protected] or Kaili Matiaco at [email protected]. The program represents a significant investment in helping North Carolina communities recover from Hurricane Helene by addressing environmental barriers to property redevelopment and economic revitalization.

Focus applications on properties with clear environmental concerns either pre-existing or caused by Hurricane Helene, such as former industrial sites, gas stations, dry cleaners, or fill sites. Properties with hurricane-related environmental impacts like petroleum tank displacement or sediment deposition from flooding are strong candidates. Private owners should secure local government support early as partnership is a requirement. Currently there is no queue, so early applicants may benefit from less competition, though prioritization based on community benefit may be implemented if demand increases. Emphasize the community benefit and redevelopment potential of the property in the intake form.