Matthew recovery plan in progress

March 01--Wilson officials met recently to discuss next steps in redevelopment plans for communities affected by Hurricane Matthew.

The purpose of the public meeting Thursday was to receive input on the development of the Resilient Redevelopment Plan, a statewide initiative.

The state legislature passed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2016 in December, which directed N.C. Emergency Management to oversee the Resilient Redevelopment Plan for 50 counties and municipalities affected by Hurricane Matthew.

The plan's objectives include identifying existing conditions following Hurricane Matthew, identifying projects that contribute to the resiliency of Wilson County and providing a road map for community rebuilding.

The four pillars of the plan include housing, economic development, infrastructure and environment.

Thursday's public meeting was one of several that will be held in the upcoming weeks. While only two people turned up for that meeting, officials encourage residents to attend the next meetings to give their input.

Prior to the public meeting, county and city officials met with state-hired contractors to identify problematic areas and roads that consistently flood, said Gordon Deno, Wilson County Emergency Management director.

"(There are) things we can look at to potentially address how to reduce that," Deno explained. Officials say it's an opportunity to address recovery issues not only from Hurricane Matthew, but for future events that could affect Wilson County.

The state initiative is aimed to develop a strategic plan and find any unmet funding requirements needed to implement those plans, according to officials.

State officials say the effort, resulting in the Resilient Redevelopment Plan, will be the foundation for any supplemental funding received through Congress, the state legislature and other funding sources.

The hired contractors will write the plan based on information discussed by the public and community stakeholders. The plan is essentially a road map on which projects the public and officials believe should be launched.

The finalized plans for all 50 counties will need to be submitted by May 1.

Officials here say there will be two more public meetings in March. Those meetings will be scheduled soon.

The Disaster Recovery Act provides $201 million to help residents and communities recover from Hurricane Matthew and the November wildfires that spread throughout western North Carolina, including:

--$37.9 million to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for disaster-related repairs, debris removal and forest and stream restoration.

--$20 million to the Housing Trust Fund to directly benefit individuals and families affected by the disasters.

--$10 million to the Department of Commerce for local government grants to construct, repair or replace infrastructure of utilities including water, sewer services and sidewalks.

--$10 million to the Department of Environmental Quality for wastewater and solid waste cleanup, dam safety, emergency permitting and repair of drinking water systems.

--$9 million to the Division of Emergency Management to provide additional support meeting short-term housing needs.

--$1 million to the Department of Insurance for grants to volunteer fire departments to repair disaster-related damage not covered by federal assistance or insurance proceeds.

[email protected] -- 265-7879

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