We’ll get through this, but we’ll need help
We’ve had more than a week of picture-perfect fall days, usually a part of the recipe for a busy, successful tourist season. But there’s an unshakeable uneasiness among the business community since Helene, and especially in Haywood County. I hope elected leaders take note.
State and feds look to head off economic disaster from Helene in Haywood
With the North Carolina General Assembly’s preliminary $273 million relief bill in the rearview mirror, Western North Carolina Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) is looking down the road at the General Assembly’s next move — a billion-dollar relief bill coming Oct. 24. During a recent meeting with Haywood County officials, Corbin spent about an hour trying to learn what, exactly, the needs are.
“I can promise you what you won't get,” Corbin said. “You won't get things you don't ask for.”
Cooper, Tillis pledge joint response to Helene’s economic impact
Western North Carolina’s small businesses, even those that suffered no damage, now occupy an unenviable position — struggling to rebuild and retain employees amid disruption to the transportation infrastructure that drives the tourist trade while still paying off COVID-era loans. Canton’s mayor is calling for help to avert a larger economic catastrophe. North Carolina’s governor and senior senator appear to be listening.
Three, including two incumbents, seek two Haywood Commission seats
Kevin Ensley and Brandon Rogers, respectively chair and vice chair of the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, both ran for reelection last in 2020 amid unprecedented economic challenges and a contentious national election. It’s little different this time.
Putting in the work: Responders of all stripes converge on Haywood County following Helene
On the morning of Sept. 27, as rain fell steadily from the pre-dawn sky, Travis Donaldson took a drive around the eastern end of Haywood County. Donaldson, the county’s emergency services director, made a lap around all the appropriate areas, finishing up in Cruso with the intention of turning around and heading back toward Waynesville, where an emergency operations center had already been set up.
Federal, state officials tour Haywood County after Helene
Where once were surging floodwaters, now elected representatives from both the federal and state level are pouring into Western North Carolina and Haywood County, touring damaged areas, talking to local officials about needs and thanking first responders for their service to their communities.
Developer still pursuing Pactiv parcel despite Helene damage
Hurricane Helene has dealt serious damage to Pactiv Evergreen’s shuttered Canton paper mill, but the St. Louis-based demolition and development company owner trying to buy the 185-acre parcel remains undeterred.
Tillis, Cooper spar over military response to Helene
Despite criticizing ridiculous conspiracy theories that came in the wake of Hurricane Helene — and supporting state Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Macon) for calling them out — North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis made clear today that in his opinion, not everything has gone smoothly during the state’s recovery from the storm. Gov. Roy Cooper pushed back on at least one aspect of Tillis’ claim.
Hurricane Helene can’t deter Haywood’s volunteer spirit
Throughout Hurricane Helene, the slogan going around Haywood County has been, “neighbors helping neighbors.” The personification of those words is nowhere more apparent than at Haywood Pathways Center in Waynesville, where a small group of volunteers gathered on Oct. 5 to minister to some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.
Infrastructure, resiliency and a flood of aid: Gov. Cooper tours Haywood County
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, with FEMA Administrator Deanna Criswell in tow, continued his multi-day western swing today, making stops in Haywood County to survey damage from Hurricane Helene, to thank volunteers and to hear from local officials.