CHIMNEY ROCK, N.C. (WHKY) – Governor Josh Stein is outlining a long-term economic recovery plan for Western North Carolina, with a focus on rebuilding communities still recovering from Hurricane Helene and creating new economic opportunities across the region.

Stein announced the plan during a visit to Chimney Rock Saturday (September 26), where the state provided a $5.5 million grant to help rebuild the downtown area and reopen small businesses following Helene.

The Western North Carolina Economic Recovery Plan covers 28 counties and the Qualla Boundary, and was developed with input from local governments, chambers of commerce, community colleges and economic development organizations.

The plan calls for strengthening the regional workforce, improving rail, air and highway connections, expanding tourism and outdoor recreation, growing agriculture and food processing, and supporting local economic development efforts.

For communities across the mountains and foothills, the plan comes as recovery work continues on roads, bridges, water systems, businesses and housing damaged by Helene.

The state says more than 99 percent of roads closed or impacted by Helene have reopened, while 99 percent of damaged drinking-water systems have been restored. More than $105 million in grants and loans have also gone to nearly 3,000 small businesses across Western North Carolina.

Stein is now calling on Congress to approve a $10 billion federal recovery package, including $1.5 billion for economic recovery. The request would also provide funding for small businesses and local governments, dams and streambanks, private roads and bridges, and federal highways.

State officials say the goal is not simply to restore Western North Carolina to where it was before Helene, but to build a more diversified regional economy for the future.