Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Pat McCrory convened the first meeting of the Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee today and outlined a recovery plan for the first 100 days to help North Carolina recover from the storm.
“There are a lot of people in North Carolina like Troy Johnson in Fair Bluff who are still hurting,” said Governor McCrory. “Through this framework and timeline, I am confident that we will be able to help North Carolinians like Troy recover and rebuild even stronger than before.”
Governor McCrory met with Troy Johnson in Fair Bluff yesterday as he toured homes which were flooded. Although Troy’s home and possessions were destroyed, the governor was inspired by his resilience.
Last month, Governor McCrory appointed Chief of Staff Thomas Stith to chair the Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee. Other co-chairs appointed by the governor include Steve Wordsworth of Rocky Mount representing the business community, Anne Faircloth of Clinton representing the agriculture community and Vanessa Harrison of AT&T representing utilities.
Additional members of the committee to date include:
- Mike Alford – Marine Motors, Jacksonville, N.C.
- Keith Allison – Systel Business Equipment, Fayetteville, N.C.
- Ruben Blackwell – Opportunities Industrialization Center, Rocky Mount, N.C.
- Murchison “Bo” Biggs – CPA, Lumberton, N.C.
- Kellie Blue – UNC-Pembroke, Pembroke, N.C.
- Joel Butler – Vidant Health, Greenville, N.C.
- Lynn H. Carlson – Hendrick Companies, Charlotte, N.C.
- Lyl M. Clinard – High Point and Lumberton, N.C.
- David Courie – Attorney, Fayetteville, N.C.
- Walt Crayton – Crayton and Co., New Bern, N.C.
- Samuel Dixon – Attorney, Edenton, N.C.
- Andrea Harris – NC Institute Minority Economic Development, Durham, N.C.
- Les High – The News Reporter, Whiteville, N.C.
- Frank Holding – First Citizens Bank, Raleigh, N.C.
- Montell Irvin, P.E. – Ramey Kemp & Associates, Raleigh, N.C.
- Robert Ivey – Maxwell Foods, Goldsboro, N.C.
- Kevin Leonard – County Commissioner Association, Raleigh, N.C.
- Sidney Locks – Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, Greenville, N.C.
- Carl Meares, Jr. – Fair Bluff, N.C.
- Paul Meyer – NC League of Municipalities, Raleigh, N.C.
- Beverly Perdue – Former Governor of North Carolina
- James S. Perry – Attorney, Kinston, N.C.
- Lenny Peters, M.D. – Bethany Medical Center, High Point, N.C.
- Art Pope – Variety Wholesalers, Raleigh, N.C.
- Jonathan Rhyne, Jr. – Attorney, Lincolnton, N.C.
- Margaret Spellings – President, University of North Carolina
- Jonathan Tribula – Vanceboro Farm Life Elementary School, Vanceboro, N.C.
- Theresa Williams-Bethea – Kinston Promise Neighborhood, Inc., Kinston, N.C.
- Jimmie Williamson – President, North Carolina Community College System
The governor announced the committee will soon tour areas affected by Hurricane Matthew and will hold its first regional meeting in Lumberton later this month.
Governor McCrory charged the committee with three main objectives:
- Fundraising for housing and small business recovery
- Community outreach
- Developing long-term plans for sustainable recovery
The governor said he expects preliminary damage assessments to be completed this month and he plans to formally submit North Carolina’s request for supplemental federal disaster assistance to the state’s congressional delegation on November 14.
He expects to call a special session of the legislature in early December to address the long-term financial needs of the state going forward, as well as the school calendar.
On Monday, the federal government approved Governor McCrory’s request to add Halifax County for individual and public assistance, while individuals in Brunswick County can now apply for assistance. This brings the total number of counties that have qualified for both federal individual and public assistance to 37, while five additional counties have been approved for public assistance. More than $61 million has already been approved for individuals who have been affected by the storm.
To view a copy of the governor’s outline presentation, click here.
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