Commercial District Revitalization Program

The Commercial District Revitalization Program is administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce through its Division of Community Revitalization as part of the Renew NC initiative. The program is funded through Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery resources provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address long-term recovery needs following Hurricane Helene. Its primary goal is to support the restoration and revitalization of commercial districts that experienced significant damage, ensuring that local economies can recover and continue to serve residents through access to goods, services, and employment opportunities. The program focuses on rebuilding commercial activity in designated Most Impacted and Distressed areas identified by both HUD and the State of North Carolina. By targeting these areas, the program seeks to restore business functionality, create or retain jobs, and stabilize local economies. Priority is given to projects that directly address physical damage caused by Hurricane Helene, although broader economic impacts tied to the disaster may also be considered if properly documented. Applicants must demonstrate a clear tie-back between their proposed project and the impacts of the disaster using verifiable evidence such as damage assessments or insurance documentation. Funding under the program supports a wide range of revitalization activities designed to bring commercial districts back to viability. Eligible uses include acquisition, demolition, site preparation, and rehabilitation of commercial properties, as well as facade improvements and mixed-use developments that incorporate commercial components. Assistance may also be provided to small businesses for physical improvements. However, funds cannot be used for activities such as general operating loans, workforce training programs, marketing events, or projects that primarily benefit large or non-local businesses. All funded activities must comply with federal requirements, including environmental review, procurement standards, labor regulations, and nondiscrimination policies. Eligible applicants are limited to units of local government and nonprofit organizations engaged in community revitalization efforts, with nonprofit applicants required to partner with a local government entity. Projects must be located within designated eligible counties or the specified ZIP code and must meet one of HUD’s national objectives, such as benefiting low- and moderate-income populations or addressing urgent community needs. Additional requirements include demonstrating financial feasibility, incorporating mitigation measures for future disasters, and ensuring that projects are situated within qualifying commercial districts. The application process is competitive and administered through the Renew NC Grant Portal. Applicants are encouraged to complete an optional prescreening process prior to submission, which provides technical assistance and helps assess readiness. While prescreening is not mandatory, it is designed to improve the quality and competitiveness of applications. The full application requires detailed documentation, including evidence of community engagement through public hearings, a description of project feasibility, and compliance with all threshold criteria. Applications are evaluated based on factors such as organizational capacity, community need, project design, leveraged resources, and anticipated long-term outcomes. The application window opened on April 6, 2026 and will close on August 4, 2026. During this period, applicants must submit complete proposals through the designated portal. Following submission, applications are reviewed and scored, with awards granted to the highest-ranking proposals that meet all eligibility and threshold requirements. Selected applicants must adhere to post-award requirements, including environmental review clearance before initiating project activities and ongoing compliance reporting throughout the project lifecycle. This program represents a significant investment in disaster recovery, with substantial funding allocated to support commercial district revitalization across eligible areas. By focusing on rebuilding economic infrastructure and supporting local businesses, the program aims to foster long-term resilience and ensure that communities affected by Hurricane Helene can recover and thrive in the years ahead.

Ensure a strong documented tie-back to Hurricane Helene impacts, demonstrate organizational capacity and readiness, and provide a clear and feasible project plan with measurable long-term outcomes.