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Transylvania Economic Alliance reports $153.5M in investments; county updates Helene recovery and grant opportunities
Summary
At the April 13 meeting the Transylvania Economic Alliance presented a quarterly report citing $153.5 million in investments since 2014 and 521 new jobs; county staff updated commissioners on Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene response, available USDA block grants, FEMA debris case status, and a $40 million Renew NC CDBG-DR funding opportunity.
The Transylvania Economic Alliance presented its first-quarter report to the county board on April 13, saying the nonprofit has supported roughly $153.5 million in announced investments since its founding in 2014, 521 new jobs, and more than 100,000 square feet of publicly controlled industrial real estate. The Alliance reported $16.95 million in announced investments for fiscal year 2025.
Burton Hodges, executive director of the Alliance, explained the organization’s strategic focuses — planning, product (developable properties such as the Sylvan Valley Industrial Center), people (workforce development, including the Work Local Transylvania County initiative), and pipes (infrastructure such as extending water and sewer to Pisgah Labs). Commissioners requested a future presentation from the Rural Development Authority (RDA) and clarified the RDA’s independent status.
The County Manager provided an update on recovery efforts related to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene. Staff reported no new updates on Hazard Mitigation Grants or bridge and road repair programs. A new USDA block grant is available to producers who experienced infrastructure or market losses due to Helene; North Carolina Cooperative Extension will assist local applicants. Many debris-cleanup cases remain under FEMA review with a number currently determined ineligible. The North Carolina Department of Commerce Division of Community Revitalization announced a $40 million Renew NC Commercial District Revitalization Program (CDBG-DR) open to local governments and nonprofits; applications opened April 6 and close Aug. 4, 2026.
Board members pressed staff on waterway debris removal and wildfire risk from storm debris; Chair McCall reminded residents the county burn ban remains in effect and emphasized caution to prevent wildfires.
The Alliance presentation and storm-recovery updates were recorded in the April 13 minutes.
