This week, Governor Cooper signed into law a disaster relief bill developed by the NC General Assembly that provides $500,000 in financial assistance for community hospitals located in counties declared disaster areas related to Hurricane Florence. Funds are designated to offset the cost of increased nursing and other staffing expenses related to the hurricane and may also be used to assist hospitals with other storm-related relief.
General Assembly Allocates Money for Hurricane Relief
“Hospitals in southeastern North Carolina demonstrated amazing courage and resilience in the face of an unprecedented storm event,” said Steve Lawler, president of the North Carolina Healthcare Association, which advocated for the measure on behalf of hospitals and health. “We are extremely grateful to our General Assembly and to Governor Cooper for their support of community hospitals, which truly are a destination of hope for their communities, especially in times of disaster.”
These funds will be allocated to the North Carolina Hospital Foundation, the 501(c)(3) affiliate of NCHA, for administration and award to qualifying hospitals. For more details, see NCHA’s press release.
The Hurricane Florence Disaster Recovery Act also appropriates $20 million for grants to local governments to repair and replace vehicles, equipment, facilities, water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Click here for an online application form and information. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all available funds have been awarded. Grant funds will be awarded at regular meetings of the Golden LEAF Board of Directors. Applications received by early November will receive priority consideration for their next Board meeting, Dec. 6-7. For more details, see Golden LEAF’s frequently asked questions page.
The General Assembly will be back at the end of November for another special session, and they plan to appropriate additional money for disaster recovery during that session.
