NORTH CAROLINA (WLOS) — North Carolina lawmakers are developing a third Helene disaster package after approving $877 million in two bills for several state agencies and regional nonprofits.

News 13 takes a closer look at some of the items that include tens of millions of dollars for specific allocations.

Bill 149, with $273 million, was passed on October 10:

• $250 million allocated to the Division of Emergency Management, which serves as the oversight agency for Helene. The funding is a mandatory formula for matching funds so the state can maintain its eligibility for federal FEMA funds that ultimately result in aid checks for victim housing, repairs and other storm-related costs.
• $16 million for cafeteria workers to pay their salaries that were not funded by the federal government due to school closures.
• $2 million for grants to the North Carolina League of Municipalities and other city and county coalition organizations that can then disburse funds to county and city offices to cover storm-related costs .
• $5 million to the National Board of Elections.

“That money went to the appropriate departments,” said Kristin Walker, state budget director.

WCU EMERGENCY DONATION FUNDS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AND STAFF IMPACTED BY HELENE

Senate Bill 743 appropriated $604 million and was passed on October 24:

• $50 million to repair public schools.
• $25 million for mental health crisis support funds allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
• $10 million for child care through DHHS.
• $9 million for utility assistance through DHHS.
• $1 million in rental assistance through DHHS and the Department of Social Services (DSS).
• $50 million for small business stimulus loans.
• $5 million to promote Visit NC tourism in Western North Carolina.

Mountain Biz Works, an Asheville-based small business nonprofit, is managing the $50 million allocation for small business loans. The fund is called WNC Strong: Hélène Business Recovery Fund.

Christine Laucher, head of strategic partnerships, said the fund has already disbursed $15 million in loans with a cap of $100,000 for each company. She said the average loan is about $53,000.

“Some people have had their businesses completely destroyed – literally every brick,” Laucher said. “We have already received almost 900 applications.”

Laucher said the nonprofit has already received 890 loan applications with more being submitted every day.

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“The General Assembly has taken a first step in the right direction,” said Kristin Walker, state budget director. “I think additional action will be needed from the state and federal government.”

That’s the sentiment Gov. Roy Cooper has expressed every time he’s spoken about the Legislature’s aid programs thus far.

Cooper said Helen’s estimated damages are about $3.9 billion. The legislature’s approval of $877 million was criticized by Cooper as insufficient to address the high costs of rebuilding businesses and communities, including infrastructure.