September 16, 2025 • 30 mins
Governor Stein is requesting an additional $13.5 billion in federal funding to support North Carolina’s long-term recovery from Hurricane Helene, highlighting the immense scale of the disaster’s damage. At the same time, U.S. shipments have been disrupted following the expiration of the de minimis trade provision, raising concerns about supply chains and consumer costs.
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
It's five oh five and welcome into a Tuesday edition
of the Carolina Journal News Our News Talk eleven ten
ninety nine three WBT.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
I'm Nicked Craig. A good morning to you.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
As next week we approached the one year anniversary of
Hurricane Helene and all of the death, devastation, and destruction
laid at the hands of Western North Carolina, Governor Josh
Stein on Monday was in the western half of the
state requesting billions of dollars worth of additional funding and
resources from the federal government. He was joined by leaders
(00:43):
of the General Assembly and those folks that are in
charge of elected officials from local governments across the western
half of the state. This is what he had to say,
at least in part, in Western North Carolina yesterday.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Next week, as we all know, mark to one year
milestone since Hurricane Heleen hit Western North Carolina, one year
since hundreds of thousands of North kill Indeans had their
lives turned upside down. The people of Western North Carolina
are incredibly strong and resilient. They spent the last year
working arm and arm to support each other, and my
(01:19):
team in Raleigh and I have been focused on trying
to emulate their example. I've been pleased to work with
the General Assembly to pass two bipartisan appropriation bills in
excess of a billion dollars in recovery, funding important efforts
for housing, private roads and bridges, local government, infrastructure, agriculture
(01:42):
and crop loss in education. Our Western North Carolina Small
Business Initiative awarded grants totaling fifty five million dollars to
more than twenty one hundred small businesses to help them
get back on their feet reopen their doors. Nearly every
agency and state got government has contributed to recovery efforts
(02:02):
in one way or another, and I'm also very grateful
for our relationships with our federal partners.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
That's Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina speaking of
those federal dollars. He has a major ask of those
in Washington, d C.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
We are grateful for every federal dollar that we have
received because it brings us closer to recovery, but we
need more help. The next stage of recovery is going
to require a new commitment from Congress and from the
administration to not forget the people of Western North Carolina.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Western North Carolina has not received.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Anywhere near what it needs nor our fair share.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
So far, North Carolina has received or.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Been awarded federal funding equivalent to about nine percent of
the total damage that Helene caused. States that were similarly
devastated following hurricanes Katrina, Maria or Sandy saw seventy percent
of their damages covered by federal funding. The average is
(03:08):
typically between forty and fifty percent of total damage and
federal relief dollars. Today, I am making a new request
of Congress for an additional thirteen and a half billion
dollars in recovery assistance, and I'll be headed to Washington
on Wednesday for meetings to further this request to our
federal partners.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
A massive request there from Governor Stein thirteen and a
half billion dollars from the federal government from a variety
of different agencies to continue recovery and relief efforts throughout
the western half of our state. The governor is not
just asking for a blank check. He says he knows
where the money needs to go.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Here's where the thirteen and a half billion dollars needs
to go. First of all, people still need to get
back in their homes. Roughly seventy four thousand homes were
damaged by the very few of those had flood insurance.
These homeowners need a safe place to anchor their lives
and remain in their community. They need help rebuilding their homes.
(04:13):
The same goes for our small business owners, a second priority.
Ninety six percent of small businesses in the area reported
impacts from Helene. Western North Carolina's economy relies heavily on
the strength of small businesses, and if we don't support
those businesses, we will lose jobs and people will struggle
(04:35):
to put food on the table.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
Six out of seven businesses have not yet reached their
pre Heleene revenues.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
I thank HUD for working with us to approve North
Kline's action plan to utilize one point four billion dollars
in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
How's that for mouthful.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Cdbg DR is flexible program that can support rebuilding homes,
helping our small businesses, and repairing our infrastructure, which is
important given the unique challenges of rebuilding in the mountainous region.
While the CDBGDR grant model, we can get building right
(05:17):
away without the cash flow problems of reimbursement programs. HUDD
has been a good partner to North Carolina, and I
want to build on that success.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
That's why I am.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Requesting eight billion dollars and CDBGDR grants to help us
get the job done here in western North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
That's Governor Josh Stein in the western half of the
state on Wednesday, ahead of the one year mark on
Hurricane Helene and the devastating impacts felt across our state.
One of the underreported stories is yes, of course a
lot of death and a lot of destruction. Well that
has been talked about, but the business impact so many
small mom and pop businesses in the western half of
(05:58):
our state. The governor said there's also need an extension
for additional business loans in the western half as of
the state as well.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
We're also asking for four hundred million from the Small
Business Administration to offer more forgivable loans to North Carolina
small businesses. Our Small Business Initiative successfully awarded grants to
twenty one hundred small businesses, but the demand for those grants.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Far exceeded the supply.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
We want to build on that effort because when small
businesses succeed, we all succeed. Next, I'm requesting two billion
dollars in new FEMA funding from Congress. After Hurricane Katrina,
Congress created special community disaster loans that enabled local governments
to continue the basic work of running their cities, paying
(06:48):
police officers, picking up trash. Western North Carolina towns and
cities were forced to spend money that they didn't have
to rescue people from disaster, and with so many people
and business activity diminished, there is no such thing as
a stable source of revenue for these local governments. I'm
(07:08):
requesting Congress make the same type of loan program available
here as they did to people towns excuse me, impacted
by Katrina.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
One of the hardest hit sectors of infrastructure in western
North Carolina, and a lot of it has to do
with the mountainous and nature of the western half of
our state our roads and bridges. As folks from the
North Carolina Department of Transportation have been working for almost
twelve months straight now to try and get roads and
bridges reopened through parts of the state.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
The final major portion of this request relates to our
roads and bridges. Hurricane Helene damaged five thousand miles of
state maintained roads, as well as many private driveways and bridges.
I am incredibly proud of North Carolina dot's work to
reopen more than ninety seven percent of state maintained roads
(08:03):
that were closed because of the storms. But we're still
waiting on reimbursements for much of the work that's already
been done. And it's not a matter of simply doing
quick repairs to get the roads reopened.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
We've got to build roads that will last.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
For example, I forty has reopened and people use it
to go to Tennessee and back on a daily basis.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
We were able to.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Repair it so fast only by using temporary measures. To
get I forty back to full strength, it will take
more than a billion dollars. That is just one, albeit
a very important example. So I'm requesting nearly two billion
dollars in new funding from Congress, not just to restore
our roads to normal, but also to protect them against
(08:46):
future damage and build them back stronger than before.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
That's Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina yesterday talking
about some of the ongoing need for federal dollars, in
specifically pointing to roads and bridges, talking about Interstate forty,
which in some areas is just.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
One lane in each direction.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Speed limits twenty five thirty five miles an hour with
some of those temporary, temporary repairs as a road cruise
from NCDOT in the immediate aftermath of the storm began
coming up with the process of getting that reopened. It's
going to cost a lot of money, and that is
why the governor announced that he is heading to Washington,
DC on Wednesday to continue to request some of that
(09:31):
those additional funds thirteen and a half billion dollars in total.
I've got some additional comments from Governor Stein, members of
the General Assembly, and the Ashville Mayor on some of
the lingering impacts and what else needs to be done
in western North Carolina. We'll get to those details coming
up here in just a couple of minutes.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
It's twenty three minutes past the hour.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Welcome back to the Carolina Journal New It's our Newstock
eleven ten ninety nine three WBT, continuing our coverage this
morning of a visit to western North Carolina on Monday
from Democrat Governor Josh Stein. As we approach one year
since Hurricane Helene affected and destroyed so much of the
western half of our state, and as we hit that
(10:19):
year mark, as Governor Stein announced he is traveling to Washington,
DC on Wednesday as he is requesting an additional thirteen
and a half billion dollars from the federal government. It's
important to note the storm is estimated to have a
cost a round sixty billion dollars in damage in total,
and while money does continue to flow in not only
(10:39):
from the federal government and the North Carolina General Assembly,
Governor Stein says the money needs to flow in a
lot quicker. This is how we closed out his comments
in Western North Carolina yesterday.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
The funds that have come through in recent weeks have
been sorely needed, much appreciated, but we are waiting on billions.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
We're seeking six billion.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Dollar and either allocated or competitive awards from previously appropriated funds.
So in this budget request, I am once again calling
on federal agencies to take action to allocate these funds
and get them out the door to help the people
of western North Carolina. We've learned a great deal over
this past year, and I am proud of the progress
(11:21):
that we've made together, and we will keep fighting every
day to get people the help that they need. Because
the people of western North Carolina are not asking for
a handout. They're asking for a hand up to get
back on their feet. Recovery is a team sport. The
state has been putting in money and effort, and one
(11:41):
year after this terrible tragedy, it is time for our
federal government to meet the needs of the people of
western North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
That's Governor Josh Stein talking about some of the ongoing
work both state and federally. A Senator Kevin Corbin, who
represents a large portion of western North Carolin line in
the North Carolina General Assembly, sits on a joint task force.
It's himself and the Ashville mayor leading that operation. He
talked about the extensive cost of the damage from Hurricane
(12:12):
Helene and really kind of put it.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Into numbers as it relates to the state budget.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Folks, we're talking about sixty billion dollars in damages. That's
way more than this state can pay for. Let me
put that in perspective for you. Our budget for the
entire year, this is everything the state pays for school's
police roads, is about thirty four billion dollars. That so
the damage is almost double the amount of our entire
(12:38):
state budget, our budget for the and we need federal
help because of that, and sixty billion, folks is not
just a number. Is people getting a roof over their head,
being able to put food on the table. But we
don't personally thank President Trump, Centers, Bud and Tillis represent
of Edwards for everything that they've done in getting us
(13:01):
on the right track for recovery, and I urged him
to stand by our side in this next phase. I
look forward to working with the Governor to encourage and
support this request in DC.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
That's Senator Kevin Corbin out of the North Carolina General
Assembly with the Governor and a group of individuals from
the Governor's office other lawmakers in western North Carolina on Monday,
the Joint task Force that he is the co chair of.
The other side of that is the mayor of Asheville,
who also spoke on some of the damage in her
major town, no question about it, the largest town in
(13:38):
western North Carolina to see the impacts of Hurricane Helena,
as Asheville is such a large city, a lot of
major national attention in and around that area immediately after
the storm as well in Ashville.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
We've come a long way this past year as we
approached this one year milestone, a lot of services have
been restored, like water and power, communications and men many
of our roads, not all of our roads, but many
of our roads. But now we're moving into the period
of long term recovery. Our unemployment rates are still too high.
(14:11):
They have not recovered to pre storm lows. Many of
our businesses, especially those near the French Broad River and
the Swananoa Rivers, were significantly damaged or destroyed, and they're
still working to reopen. Some have managed to reopen, some
still have not. The infrastructure damaged by the floods that
supports these businesses also needs repair and rebuilding, and many
(14:34):
of our parks along the river, including playgrounds, a swimming pool,
soccer fields, a golf course, multi use paths that are
normally enjoyed by thousands, are in need of repair. Some
storm water and water infrastructure is still in need of
either repair or significant improvement to make us more resilient
in the face of future events. And we still need
(14:57):
to get rid of debris and destroyed structure that linger
on private property and make our city look much less
welcoming to locals and visitors alike. The city is also
undertaking the massive job of removing debris in the twenty
thousand acres of watershed property around the Norfolk Reservoir, which
is why it is so important that during this time
(15:19):
and through this hurricane season, FEMA continues to support the
cost of operating the temporary water filtration system built by
the Army Corps of Engineers that is located at the reservoir.
Even with this work ahead of us today almost one
year later, Asheville is open for business. But every investment,
(15:40):
every dollar of support, will help us continue our journey
of recovery and help us to rebuild an economy better
than ever, to not only host those who want to visit,
but provide jobs and quality of life for those that
live there. Recovery costs money, more money than any city
(16:01):
or county in western North Carolina can manage, even from
a cash flow standpoint.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
That's Ashville Mayor Ester Mannheimer speaking as you've heard this
morning with Governor Josh Stein, members of the North Carolina
General Assembly, and others. As Governor Stein making a big
announcement in the western half of our state yesterday, he
is heading to Washington, d C. On Wednesday and requesting
an additional thirteen and a half billion dollars from the
(16:27):
FEDS as it relates to Hurricane Helen and the ongoing
recovery and relief efforts in western North Carolina. We've got
some additional coverage on that event yesterday. It's over on
our website this morning, Carolina Journal dot com. The headline
stein requesting additional thirteen point five billion dollars from federal
(16:47):
government for Helen recovery. Again, you can read those details
at Carolina Journal dot com.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
It's five thirty six.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
Welcome back to the Carolin on a Journal News Hour
news Stock eleven, ten ninety nine three WBT. Don't forget
if you miss any portion of our show weekday mornings
live five to six am. You can check it out
after the fact. That the value downloading the Carolina Journal
News Hour podcast that's available in Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
anywhere you get your shows. You can also watch and
(17:19):
listening online by visiting our Carolina Journal YouTube channel as well.
Continuing our coverage this morning on a variety of issues
across the United States, Tariffs and some of the uncertainty
and frustration continues to be a major story across North
Carolina and well in recent weeks. Multiple shipping services have
(17:41):
halted US imports. This is as the d minimus exemptions
expired back on August the twenty ninth. Those exemptions applied
to international imports valued at eight hundred dollars or less
from tariffs. This will impact smaller customer orders, which as
orders from international vendors through platforms such as ets Sheen,
(18:04):
Timu Ali, Baba Ali Express, and others. Customers who order
from international distributors will begin seeing significant cost increases in
their orders due to the deminimus exemption and the expiration
of that. Back on July thirtieth, President Donald Trump signed
an executive order that set an expiration date of duty
(18:28):
free imports of eight hundred dollars or less. Those imports
will now be tariffed at a minimum twenty five percent
meeting an item worth eight hundred dollars will be tariffed
at a minimum of two hundred dollars. Letters and gifts
worth less than one hundred dollars, however, will remain duty free.
(18:48):
The executive order from President Donald Trump reads, in part quote,
the duty free deminimus exemption provided under nineteen USC shall
no longer apply to any shipments of articles not covered
by fifty USC seventeen O two, regardless regardless of value,
(19:09):
country of origin, mode of transportation, or method of entry. Accordingly,
all such shipments, except for those sent through an international
postal network, should be subject to all applicable duties, taxes, fees,
as well as charges. The Deminimus exemption was a loophole
(19:31):
through which unvetted imports, counterfeit goods, and even drugs like
fetanol entered the United States without the burden of duties
and without some higher level of scrutiny. According to the
United States Customs and Border Protection, Rodney Scott, who is
the Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protections set in
a press release quote, CBP is ready to enforce for
(19:56):
too long this loophole handed handed criminal networks a free
pass to flood America with fentanyl, fake goods, and illegal shipments.
Those days are over. We are securing the border, restoring
fairness to trade, and protecting American families. In just the
last couple of weeks, at least twenty five countries have
(20:18):
announced suspending shipments to the United States as the de
Minimus exemption it does has now officially been suspended. That's
according to a variety of news reports. Suspension of shipments
will remain until there is clarity on how US authorities
plan to implement the newly announced measures by the Trump administration.
(20:40):
Branded Chanton, the CEO of ship Mint, which is based
in Raleigh, told The Carolina Journal, quote, the general thesis
is that what we see when we are engaging with
our customers is the challenge of uncertainty. The smaller the business,
the smaller the team, and the bigger the challenge of
keeping their thumb on the pulse. We've had customers go
(21:02):
out of business and face significant volume decline. We've had
wholly unaffected customers, but by large, for those affected, cost
is paramount for everyone. Brandon Stanton said, quote, I think
that a lot of them feel like they're in the
dark relatively to what they can do to circumnavigate this,
given the relative obscurity up until recently, Data from the
(21:28):
UN's Universal Postal Union Operators show that postal traffic into
the United States fell by eighty one percent on August
the twenty ninth, that was the day in which the
D Minimus exemption was suspended. That was compared to just
one week prior that reporting coming from NPR, the UN's
(21:49):
Universal Postal Union, added that it is developing measures to
restore the flow of imports and traffic into the United States.
In terms of shipments, going back to the CEO of shipment,
he says, quote in my industry, especially the international element
important exports in the United States is the most challenging,
(22:11):
noting that there are a lot of players in this space,
so whether their econ platforms, consulting companies, or technology solutions.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
He told the Carolina Journal.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
The complexity introduced by international shipments does not exist with
domestic shipments, especially when there is huge volume, a huge,
totally addressable market of domestic volume. Many orders are, however,
still coming into the United States as international trade does continue.
But since the new Dominimus rule took effect, US customers
(22:45):
have flooded social media with complaints about surprise bills from
major shippers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Many cases,
it's coming without warning from foreign merchants in which they
ordered from that being reportar by NBC News. In response,
shipping companies are now fielding a wave of disputes and
(23:07):
return to sender requests as frustrated customers are now refusing
their deliveries rather than paying some of those unexpected charges.
At Sea recently had a press release saying quote, given
the complexities, legal requirements and poor experiences, many postal providers
will be suspending delivery options to the United States. Major
(23:31):
US e commerce hubs have began alerting customers to potential
shipping disruptions. Just last week, Etsea announced that it would
stop providing orders rather processing orders ship through the Australian Post,
Canada Post, and the United Kingdom's Post, as well as
the Royal Mail, and anticipated that those carriers would be
(23:53):
suspending their US deliveries. Canada Posts said in a statement
that it will be onboarding a third party technology provider
to ensure that shipments continue moving smoothly across the border.
That's according to Canada Post, and for for most of
those goods if they do come through our northern border,
the duty will be thirty five percent, which President Donald
(24:16):
Trump imposed on Canada earlier this year. The discussion over
tariffs not only affecting businesses in North Carolina. Of course,
we have highlighted a variety of sectors and firms that
have been impacted by both imports and exports here in
the United States, but now some major shakeups for those
(24:36):
that order a large quantity or even small quantities of
goods internationally with the Deminimous exemption of being suspended back
on August the twenty ninth. We've got a lot more
details on this this morning, including some news reports kind
of detailing how this process is set to unfold. Albeit
there's still an incredible amount of uncertainty that's available over
(24:58):
on our website this morning. In Carolina Journal dot com,
you can search for that story's headline, Deminimus expires, halting
US shipments. It's time for the sixth annual WBT Little
Heroes Blood Drive, headed your way this Thursday, September the eighteenth,
WBT and the One Blood Big Red Bus. We'll be
(25:22):
at Watson Insurance in Belmont from ten am to three pm.
We'll be broadcasting live and are encouraging you to make
a life saving blood donation. The sixth annual WBT Little
Heroes Blood Drive rolls on this Thursday, September the eighteenth,
at Watson Insurance in Belmont. Visit WBT dot com this
morning for location details and to register your appointment. It's
(25:44):
now five point fifty three on the Carolina Journal News
Hour News Talk eleven, ten ninety nine to three WBT
Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina yesterday asking for
a whopping thirteen and a half billion dollars worth of
additional fund from the federal government, also announcing that he
will be heading up to DC on Wednesday to advocate
(26:06):
for more of that money. Here is the governor's request
from the federal government.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
We are grateful for every federal dollar that we have
received because it brings us closer to recovery, but we
need more help. The next stage of recovery is going
to require a new commitment from Congress and from the
administration to not forget the people of western North Carolina.
(26:31):
West North Carolina has not received anywhere near what it needs.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Nor our fair share.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
So far, North Carolina has received or been awarded federal
funding equivalent to about nine percent of the total damage
that Helene caused. States that were similarly devastated following hurricanes Katrina,
Maria or Sandy saw seventy percent of their damages covered
(27:00):
by federal funding. The average is typically between forty and
fifty percent of total damage and.
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Federal relief dollars.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
Today, I am making a new request of Congress for
an additional thirteen and a half billion dollars in recovery assistance.
And I'll be headed to Washington on Wednesday for meetings to.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Further this request to our federal partners.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
That is obviously a very large request. There from Governor
Josh Stein a valid question, and he answered, where exactly
would some of that money, the thirteen and a half
billion dollars, where would that be spent?
Speaker 3 (27:35):
Here's where the thirteen and a half billion dollars needs
to go. First of all, people still need to get.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
Back in their homes.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Roughly seventy four thousand homes were damaged by the storm.
Very few of those had flood insurance. These homeowners need
a safe place to anchor their lives and remain in
their community. They need help rebuilding their homes. The same
goes for our small business owners, a second priority. Ninety
(28:05):
six percent of small businesses in the area reported impacts
from Helene. Western North Carolina's economy relies heavily on the
strength of small businesses, and if we don't support those businesses,
we will lose jobs and people will struggle to put
food on the table.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Six out of seven businesses have not yet reached their
pre Heleene revenues.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
I thank HUD for working with us to approve North
Carolina's action plan to utilize one point four billion dollars
in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery.
Speaker 4 (28:42):
How's that for mouthful.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Cdbg DR is a flexible program that can support rebuilding homes,
helping our small businesses, and repairing our infrastructure, which is
important given the unique challenges of rebuilding in a mountainous region.
While the CDBGDR grant model, we can get building right
(29:05):
away without the cash flow problems of reimbursement programs. HUD
has been a good partner to North Carolina and I
want to build on that success. That's why I am
requesting eight billion dollars and cdbg DR grants to help
us get the job done here in Western North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
That's Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina yesterday, as
next week will be the one year mark of Hurricane
Helene and the unimaginable amount of devastation, death, and destruction
left in the wake of that storm.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
As the Governor noted, he will be in Washington, d C.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
On Wednesday, presumably a meeting with federal officials of probably
our senators and are some members of our congressional delegation
as well. We will be tracking of the governor's visit
over on our website, Carolina Journal dot com, and we'll
of course have the latest for you right here on
the Carolina Journal News Hour. That's going to do it
(30:02):
for a Tuesday edition. WBT News is next, followed by
Good morning BT. We're back with you tomorrow morning, five
to six right here on Newstock eleven, ten and ninety
nine three.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
WBT
It's five oh five and welcome into a Tuesday edition
of the Carolina Journal News Our News Talk eleven ten
ninety nine three WBT.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
I'm Nicked Craig. A good morning to you.
Speaker 1 (00:19):
As next week we approached the one year anniversary of
Hurricane Helene and all of the death, devastation, and destruction
laid at the hands of Western North Carolina, Governor Josh
Stein on Monday was in the western half of the
state requesting billions of dollars worth of additional funding and
resources from the federal government. He was joined by leaders
(00:43):
of the General Assembly and those folks that are in
charge of elected officials from local governments across the western
half of the state. This is what he had to say,
at least in part, in Western North Carolina yesterday.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
Next week, as we all know, mark to one year
milestone since Hurricane Heleen hit Western North Carolina, one year
since hundreds of thousands of North kill Indeans had their
lives turned upside down. The people of Western North Carolina
are incredibly strong and resilient. They spent the last year
working arm and arm to support each other, and my
(01:19):
team in Raleigh and I have been focused on trying
to emulate their example. I've been pleased to work with
the General Assembly to pass two bipartisan appropriation bills in
excess of a billion dollars in recovery, funding important efforts
for housing, private roads and bridges, local government, infrastructure, agriculture
(01:42):
and crop loss in education. Our Western North Carolina Small
Business Initiative awarded grants totaling fifty five million dollars to
more than twenty one hundred small businesses to help them
get back on their feet reopen their doors. Nearly every
agency and state got government has contributed to recovery efforts
(02:02):
in one way or another, and I'm also very grateful
for our relationships with our federal partners.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
That's Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina speaking of
those federal dollars. He has a major ask of those
in Washington, d C.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
We are grateful for every federal dollar that we have
received because it brings us closer to recovery, but we
need more help. The next stage of recovery is going
to require a new commitment from Congress and from the
administration to not forget the people of Western North Carolina.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Western North Carolina has not received.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
Anywhere near what it needs nor our fair share.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
So far, North Carolina has received or.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Been awarded federal funding equivalent to about nine percent of
the total damage that Helene caused. States that were similarly
devastated following hurricanes Katrina, Maria or Sandy saw seventy percent
of their damages covered by federal funding. The average is
(03:08):
typically between forty and fifty percent of total damage and
federal relief dollars. Today, I am making a new request
of Congress for an additional thirteen and a half billion
dollars in recovery assistance, and I'll be headed to Washington
on Wednesday for meetings to further this request to our
federal partners.
Speaker 1 (03:30):
A massive request there from Governor Stein thirteen and a
half billion dollars from the federal government from a variety
of different agencies to continue recovery and relief efforts throughout
the western half of our state. The governor is not
just asking for a blank check. He says he knows
where the money needs to go.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
Here's where the thirteen and a half billion dollars needs
to go. First of all, people still need to get
back in their homes. Roughly seventy four thousand homes were
damaged by the very few of those had flood insurance.
These homeowners need a safe place to anchor their lives
and remain in their community. They need help rebuilding their homes.
(04:13):
The same goes for our small business owners, a second priority.
Ninety six percent of small businesses in the area reported
impacts from Helene. Western North Carolina's economy relies heavily on
the strength of small businesses, and if we don't support
those businesses, we will lose jobs and people will struggle
(04:35):
to put food on the table.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
Six out of seven businesses have not yet reached their
pre Heleene revenues.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
I thank HUD for working with us to approve North
Kline's action plan to utilize one point four billion dollars
in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
How's that for mouthful.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
Cdbg DR is flexible program that can support rebuilding homes,
helping our small businesses, and repairing our infrastructure, which is
important given the unique challenges of rebuilding in the mountainous region.
While the CDBGDR grant model, we can get building right
(05:17):
away without the cash flow problems of reimbursement programs. HUDD
has been a good partner to North Carolina, and I
want to build on that success.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
That's why I am.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Requesting eight billion dollars and CDBGDR grants to help us
get the job done here in western North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
That's Governor Josh Stein in the western half of the
state on Wednesday, ahead of the one year mark on
Hurricane Helene and the devastating impacts felt across our state.
One of the underreported stories is yes, of course a
lot of death and a lot of destruction. Well that
has been talked about, but the business impact so many
small mom and pop businesses in the western half of
(05:58):
our state. The governor said there's also need an extension
for additional business loans in the western half as of
the state as well.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
We're also asking for four hundred million from the Small
Business Administration to offer more forgivable loans to North Carolina
small businesses. Our Small Business Initiative successfully awarded grants to
twenty one hundred small businesses, but the demand for those grants.
Speaker 4 (06:21):
Far exceeded the supply.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
We want to build on that effort because when small
businesses succeed, we all succeed. Next, I'm requesting two billion
dollars in new FEMA funding from Congress. After Hurricane Katrina,
Congress created special community disaster loans that enabled local governments
to continue the basic work of running their cities, paying
(06:48):
police officers, picking up trash. Western North Carolina towns and
cities were forced to spend money that they didn't have
to rescue people from disaster, and with so many people
and business activity diminished, there is no such thing as
a stable source of revenue for these local governments. I'm
(07:08):
requesting Congress make the same type of loan program available
here as they did to people towns excuse me, impacted
by Katrina.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
One of the hardest hit sectors of infrastructure in western
North Carolina, and a lot of it has to do
with the mountainous and nature of the western half of
our state our roads and bridges. As folks from the
North Carolina Department of Transportation have been working for almost
twelve months straight now to try and get roads and
bridges reopened through parts of the state.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
The final major portion of this request relates to our
roads and bridges. Hurricane Helene damaged five thousand miles of
state maintained roads, as well as many private driveways and bridges.
I am incredibly proud of North Carolina dot's work to
reopen more than ninety seven percent of state maintained roads
(08:03):
that were closed because of the storms. But we're still
waiting on reimbursements for much of the work that's already
been done. And it's not a matter of simply doing
quick repairs to get the roads reopened.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
We've got to build roads that will last.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
For example, I forty has reopened and people use it
to go to Tennessee and back on a daily basis.
Speaker 4 (08:25):
We were able to.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Repair it so fast only by using temporary measures. To
get I forty back to full strength, it will take
more than a billion dollars. That is just one, albeit
a very important example. So I'm requesting nearly two billion
dollars in new funding from Congress, not just to restore
our roads to normal, but also to protect them against
(08:46):
future damage and build them back stronger than before.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
That's Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina yesterday talking
about some of the ongoing need for federal dollars, in
specifically pointing to roads and bridges, talking about Interstate forty,
which in some areas is just.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
One lane in each direction.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
Speed limits twenty five thirty five miles an hour with
some of those temporary, temporary repairs as a road cruise
from NCDOT in the immediate aftermath of the storm began
coming up with the process of getting that reopened. It's
going to cost a lot of money, and that is
why the governor announced that he is heading to Washington,
DC on Wednesday to continue to request some of that
(09:31):
those additional funds thirteen and a half billion dollars in total.
I've got some additional comments from Governor Stein, members of
the General Assembly, and the Ashville Mayor on some of
the lingering impacts and what else needs to be done
in western North Carolina. We'll get to those details coming
up here in just a couple of minutes.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
It's twenty three minutes past the hour.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
Welcome back to the Carolina Journal New It's our Newstock
eleven ten ninety nine three WBT, continuing our coverage this
morning of a visit to western North Carolina on Monday
from Democrat Governor Josh Stein. As we approach one year
since Hurricane Helene affected and destroyed so much of the
western half of our state, and as we hit that
(10:19):
year mark, as Governor Stein announced he is traveling to Washington,
DC on Wednesday as he is requesting an additional thirteen
and a half billion dollars from the federal government. It's
important to note the storm is estimated to have a
cost a round sixty billion dollars in damage in total,
and while money does continue to flow in not only
(10:39):
from the federal government and the North Carolina General Assembly,
Governor Stein says the money needs to flow in a
lot quicker. This is how we closed out his comments
in Western North Carolina yesterday.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
The funds that have come through in recent weeks have
been sorely needed, much appreciated, but we are waiting on billions.
Speaker 4 (10:58):
We're seeking six billion.
Speaker 3 (10:59):
Dollar and either allocated or competitive awards from previously appropriated funds.
So in this budget request, I am once again calling
on federal agencies to take action to allocate these funds
and get them out the door to help the people
of western North Carolina. We've learned a great deal over
this past year, and I am proud of the progress
(11:21):
that we've made together, and we will keep fighting every
day to get people the help that they need. Because
the people of western North Carolina are not asking for
a handout. They're asking for a hand up to get
back on their feet. Recovery is a team sport. The
state has been putting in money and effort, and one
(11:41):
year after this terrible tragedy, it is time for our
federal government to meet the needs of the people of
western North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (11:50):
That's Governor Josh Stein talking about some of the ongoing
work both state and federally. A Senator Kevin Corbin, who
represents a large portion of western North Carolin line in
the North Carolina General Assembly, sits on a joint task force.
It's himself and the Ashville mayor leading that operation. He
talked about the extensive cost of the damage from Hurricane
(12:12):
Helene and really kind of put it.
Speaker 2 (12:14):
Into numbers as it relates to the state budget.
Speaker 5 (12:16):
Folks, we're talking about sixty billion dollars in damages. That's
way more than this state can pay for. Let me
put that in perspective for you. Our budget for the
entire year, this is everything the state pays for school's
police roads, is about thirty four billion dollars. That so
the damage is almost double the amount of our entire
(12:38):
state budget, our budget for the and we need federal
help because of that, and sixty billion, folks is not
just a number. Is people getting a roof over their head,
being able to put food on the table. But we
don't personally thank President Trump, Centers, Bud and Tillis represent
of Edwards for everything that they've done in getting us
(13:01):
on the right track for recovery, and I urged him
to stand by our side in this next phase. I
look forward to working with the Governor to encourage and
support this request in DC.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
That's Senator Kevin Corbin out of the North Carolina General
Assembly with the Governor and a group of individuals from
the Governor's office other lawmakers in western North Carolina on Monday,
the Joint task Force that he is the co chair of.
The other side of that is the mayor of Asheville,
who also spoke on some of the damage in her
major town, no question about it, the largest town in
(13:38):
western North Carolina to see the impacts of Hurricane Helena,
as Asheville is such a large city, a lot of
major national attention in and around that area immediately after
the storm as well in Ashville.
Speaker 6 (13:50):
We've come a long way this past year as we
approached this one year milestone, a lot of services have
been restored, like water and power, communications and men many
of our roads, not all of our roads, but many
of our roads. But now we're moving into the period
of long term recovery. Our unemployment rates are still too high.
(14:11):
They have not recovered to pre storm lows. Many of
our businesses, especially those near the French Broad River and
the Swananoa Rivers, were significantly damaged or destroyed, and they're
still working to reopen. Some have managed to reopen, some
still have not. The infrastructure damaged by the floods that
supports these businesses also needs repair and rebuilding, and many
(14:34):
of our parks along the river, including playgrounds, a swimming pool,
soccer fields, a golf course, multi use paths that are
normally enjoyed by thousands, are in need of repair. Some
storm water and water infrastructure is still in need of
either repair or significant improvement to make us more resilient
in the face of future events. And we still need
(14:57):
to get rid of debris and destroyed structure that linger
on private property and make our city look much less
welcoming to locals and visitors alike. The city is also
undertaking the massive job of removing debris in the twenty
thousand acres of watershed property around the Norfolk Reservoir, which
is why it is so important that during this time
(15:19):
and through this hurricane season, FEMA continues to support the
cost of operating the temporary water filtration system built by
the Army Corps of Engineers that is located at the reservoir.
Even with this work ahead of us today almost one
year later, Asheville is open for business. But every investment,
(15:40):
every dollar of support, will help us continue our journey
of recovery and help us to rebuild an economy better
than ever, to not only host those who want to visit,
but provide jobs and quality of life for those that
live there. Recovery costs money, more money than any city
(16:01):
or county in western North Carolina can manage, even from
a cash flow standpoint.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
That's Ashville Mayor Ester Mannheimer speaking as you've heard this
morning with Governor Josh Stein, members of the North Carolina
General Assembly, and others. As Governor Stein making a big
announcement in the western half of our state yesterday, he
is heading to Washington, d C. On Wednesday and requesting
an additional thirteen and a half billion dollars from the
(16:27):
FEDS as it relates to Hurricane Helen and the ongoing
recovery and relief efforts in western North Carolina. We've got
some additional coverage on that event yesterday. It's over on
our website this morning, Carolina Journal dot com. The headline
stein requesting additional thirteen point five billion dollars from federal
(16:47):
government for Helen recovery. Again, you can read those details
at Carolina Journal dot com.
Speaker 2 (16:57):
It's five thirty six.
Speaker 1 (16:59):
Welcome back to the Carolin on a Journal News Hour
news Stock eleven, ten ninety nine three WBT. Don't forget
if you miss any portion of our show weekday mornings
live five to six am. You can check it out
after the fact. That the value downloading the Carolina Journal
News Hour podcast that's available in Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify,
anywhere you get your shows. You can also watch and
(17:19):
listening online by visiting our Carolina Journal YouTube channel as well.
Continuing our coverage this morning on a variety of issues
across the United States, Tariffs and some of the uncertainty
and frustration continues to be a major story across North
Carolina and well in recent weeks. Multiple shipping services have
(17:41):
halted US imports. This is as the d minimus exemptions
expired back on August the twenty ninth. Those exemptions applied
to international imports valued at eight hundred dollars or less
from tariffs. This will impact smaller customer orders, which as
orders from international vendors through platforms such as ets Sheen,
(18:04):
Timu Ali, Baba Ali Express, and others. Customers who order
from international distributors will begin seeing significant cost increases in
their orders due to the deminimus exemption and the expiration
of that. Back on July thirtieth, President Donald Trump signed
an executive order that set an expiration date of duty
(18:28):
free imports of eight hundred dollars or less. Those imports
will now be tariffed at a minimum twenty five percent
meeting an item worth eight hundred dollars will be tariffed
at a minimum of two hundred dollars. Letters and gifts
worth less than one hundred dollars, however, will remain duty free.
(18:48):
The executive order from President Donald Trump reads, in part quote,
the duty free deminimus exemption provided under nineteen USC shall
no longer apply to any shipments of articles not covered
by fifty USC seventeen O two, regardless regardless of value,
(19:09):
country of origin, mode of transportation, or method of entry. Accordingly,
all such shipments, except for those sent through an international
postal network, should be subject to all applicable duties, taxes, fees,
as well as charges. The Deminimus exemption was a loophole
(19:31):
through which unvetted imports, counterfeit goods, and even drugs like
fetanol entered the United States without the burden of duties
and without some higher level of scrutiny. According to the
United States Customs and Border Protection, Rodney Scott, who is
the Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protections set in
a press release quote, CBP is ready to enforce for
(19:56):
too long this loophole handed handed criminal networks a free
pass to flood America with fentanyl, fake goods, and illegal shipments.
Those days are over. We are securing the border, restoring
fairness to trade, and protecting American families. In just the
last couple of weeks, at least twenty five countries have
(20:18):
announced suspending shipments to the United States as the de
Minimus exemption it does has now officially been suspended. That's
according to a variety of news reports. Suspension of shipments
will remain until there is clarity on how US authorities
plan to implement the newly announced measures by the Trump administration.
(20:40):
Branded Chanton, the CEO of ship Mint, which is based
in Raleigh, told The Carolina Journal, quote, the general thesis
is that what we see when we are engaging with
our customers is the challenge of uncertainty. The smaller the business,
the smaller the team, and the bigger the challenge of
keeping their thumb on the pulse. We've had customers go
(21:02):
out of business and face significant volume decline. We've had
wholly unaffected customers, but by large, for those affected, cost
is paramount for everyone. Brandon Stanton said, quote, I think
that a lot of them feel like they're in the
dark relatively to what they can do to circumnavigate this,
given the relative obscurity up until recently, Data from the
(21:28):
UN's Universal Postal Union Operators show that postal traffic into
the United States fell by eighty one percent on August
the twenty ninth, that was the day in which the
D Minimus exemption was suspended. That was compared to just
one week prior that reporting coming from NPR, the UN's
(21:49):
Universal Postal Union, added that it is developing measures to
restore the flow of imports and traffic into the United States.
In terms of shipments, going back to the CEO of shipment,
he says, quote in my industry, especially the international element
important exports in the United States is the most challenging,
(22:11):
noting that there are a lot of players in this space,
so whether their econ platforms, consulting companies, or technology solutions.
Speaker 2 (22:20):
He told the Carolina Journal.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
The complexity introduced by international shipments does not exist with
domestic shipments, especially when there is huge volume, a huge,
totally addressable market of domestic volume. Many orders are, however,
still coming into the United States as international trade does continue.
But since the new Dominimus rule took effect, US customers
(22:45):
have flooded social media with complaints about surprise bills from
major shippers such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Many cases,
it's coming without warning from foreign merchants in which they
ordered from that being reportar by NBC News. In response,
shipping companies are now fielding a wave of disputes and
(23:07):
return to sender requests as frustrated customers are now refusing
their deliveries rather than paying some of those unexpected charges.
At Sea recently had a press release saying quote, given
the complexities, legal requirements and poor experiences, many postal providers
will be suspending delivery options to the United States. Major
(23:31):
US e commerce hubs have began alerting customers to potential
shipping disruptions. Just last week, Etsea announced that it would
stop providing orders rather processing orders ship through the Australian Post,
Canada Post, and the United Kingdom's Post, as well as
the Royal Mail, and anticipated that those carriers would be
(23:53):
suspending their US deliveries. Canada Posts said in a statement
that it will be onboarding a third party technology provider
to ensure that shipments continue moving smoothly across the border.
That's according to Canada Post, and for for most of
those goods if they do come through our northern border,
the duty will be thirty five percent, which President Donald
(24:16):
Trump imposed on Canada earlier this year. The discussion over
tariffs not only affecting businesses in North Carolina. Of course,
we have highlighted a variety of sectors and firms that
have been impacted by both imports and exports here in
the United States, but now some major shakeups for those
(24:36):
that order a large quantity or even small quantities of
goods internationally with the Deminimous exemption of being suspended back
on August the twenty ninth. We've got a lot more
details on this this morning, including some news reports kind
of detailing how this process is set to unfold. Albeit
there's still an incredible amount of uncertainty that's available over
(24:58):
on our website this morning. In Carolina Journal dot com,
you can search for that story's headline, Deminimus expires, halting
US shipments. It's time for the sixth annual WBT Little
Heroes Blood Drive, headed your way this Thursday, September the eighteenth,
WBT and the One Blood Big Red Bus. We'll be
(25:22):
at Watson Insurance in Belmont from ten am to three pm.
We'll be broadcasting live and are encouraging you to make
a life saving blood donation. The sixth annual WBT Little
Heroes Blood Drive rolls on this Thursday, September the eighteenth,
at Watson Insurance in Belmont. Visit WBT dot com this
morning for location details and to register your appointment. It's
(25:44):
now five point fifty three on the Carolina Journal News
Hour News Talk eleven, ten ninety nine to three WBT
Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina yesterday asking for
a whopping thirteen and a half billion dollars worth of
additional fund from the federal government, also announcing that he
will be heading up to DC on Wednesday to advocate
(26:06):
for more of that money. Here is the governor's request
from the federal government.
Speaker 3 (26:10):
We are grateful for every federal dollar that we have
received because it brings us closer to recovery, but we
need more help. The next stage of recovery is going
to require a new commitment from Congress and from the
administration to not forget the people of western North Carolina.
(26:31):
West North Carolina has not received anywhere near what it needs.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Nor our fair share.
Speaker 3 (26:39):
So far, North Carolina has received or been awarded federal
funding equivalent to about nine percent of the total damage
that Helene caused. States that were similarly devastated following hurricanes Katrina,
Maria or Sandy saw seventy percent of their damages covered
(27:00):
by federal funding. The average is typically between forty and
fifty percent of total damage and.
Speaker 4 (27:06):
Federal relief dollars.
Speaker 3 (27:09):
Today, I am making a new request of Congress for
an additional thirteen and a half billion dollars in recovery assistance.
And I'll be headed to Washington on Wednesday for meetings to.
Speaker 4 (27:20):
Further this request to our federal partners.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
That is obviously a very large request. There from Governor
Josh Stein a valid question, and he answered, where exactly
would some of that money, the thirteen and a half
billion dollars, where would that be spent?
Speaker 3 (27:35):
Here's where the thirteen and a half billion dollars needs
to go. First of all, people still need to get.
Speaker 4 (27:41):
Back in their homes.
Speaker 3 (27:43):
Roughly seventy four thousand homes were damaged by the storm.
Very few of those had flood insurance. These homeowners need
a safe place to anchor their lives and remain in
their community. They need help rebuilding their homes. The same
goes for our small business owners, a second priority. Ninety
(28:05):
six percent of small businesses in the area reported impacts
from Helene. Western North Carolina's economy relies heavily on the
strength of small businesses, and if we don't support those businesses,
we will lose jobs and people will struggle to put
food on the table.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
Six out of seven businesses have not yet reached their
pre Heleene revenues.
Speaker 3 (28:32):
I thank HUD for working with us to approve North
Carolina's action plan to utilize one point four billion dollars
in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery.
Speaker 4 (28:42):
How's that for mouthful.
Speaker 3 (28:44):
Cdbg DR is a flexible program that can support rebuilding homes,
helping our small businesses, and repairing our infrastructure, which is
important given the unique challenges of rebuilding in a mountainous region.
While the CDBGDR grant model, we can get building right
(29:05):
away without the cash flow problems of reimbursement programs. HUD
has been a good partner to North Carolina and I
want to build on that success. That's why I am
requesting eight billion dollars and cdbg DR grants to help
us get the job done here in Western North Carolina.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
That's Governor Josh Stein in Western North Carolina yesterday, as
next week will be the one year mark of Hurricane
Helene and the unimaginable amount of devastation, death, and destruction
left in the wake of that storm.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
As the Governor noted, he will be in Washington, d C.
Speaker 1 (29:40):
On Wednesday, presumably a meeting with federal officials of probably
our senators and are some members of our congressional delegation
as well. We will be tracking of the governor's visit
over on our website, Carolina Journal dot com, and we'll
of course have the latest for you right here on
the Carolina Journal News Hour. That's going to do it
(30:02):
for a Tuesday edition. WBT News is next, followed by
Good morning BT. We're back with you tomorrow morning, five
to six right here on Newstock eleven, ten and ninety
nine three.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
WBT
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