News

Governor's Rebuilding Western North Carolina Committee meets Monday at UNCA

By Lightning Reports, Published: July 12, 2025

Gov. Josh Stein and his Rebuilding Western North Carolina Committee will convene in the Blue Ridge Room on UNC Asheville’s campus at 10 a.m. Monday.

The meeting is open to the public, with in-person and virtual viewing options, but not open for public comment. Go here to attend virtually. Although there is no opportunity for public comment, the public may share questions and feedback at wncrecovery@nc.gov.

Made up of local leadership representing 15 North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene, the committee will advise Stein and the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC) on recovery strategies that address the needs of the region.

GROW NC and Stein aim to make the communities of WNC safer and stronger by addressing Helene-related issues in housing, infrastructure, revitalizing the local economy and providing near- and long-term relief funding.

The committee has met previously in person at Western Carolina University and at Appalachian State University where it has heard from the N.C. Division of Emergency Management, the departments of Public Safety, Transportation and Environmental Quality, WNC STRONG, FEMA and many others.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and state Sen. Kevin Corbin co-chair the committee. Other notable members of the committee include UNC Asheville alumni Nathan Ramsey ’89 and Lindsey Prather ’10; Al Whitesides, for whom UNC Asheville’s Whitesides Hall is named; and former UNC Asheville Board of Trustee members Jack Cecil and Chuck McGrady, who is also a former Henderson County commissioner and state House member. 

Those who would like to attend in-person will need to register for a Summer Daily Parking permit and may park in visitor, non-resident and all permit lots. There is no fee associated with parking, but registration must be completed prior to arriving on campus.