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HB 994

Western NC Support; Expand Community Economic Development.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Amber Baker and 8 co-sponsors

Funds 20.3M nonrecurring and 1M recurring to the National Institute of Minority Economic Development to support Western NC housing recovery, CDC capacity, women's centers, and stat

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 994

Summary — HB 994: Western NC Support; Expand Community Economic Development

Status: Passed First Reading (NC House)
Introduced/Filed: November 12, 2024 (filed); April 14, 2025 (1st reading)
Sponsor: Rep. Hawkins
Effective date: July 1, 2025 (per bill)

Main purpose

Provide state funding to the National Institute of Minority Economic Development (a nonprofit) to support long‑term housing recovery in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene and to expand community economic development capacity across the State — including support for community development corporations (CDCs), women's business centers, and the Institute’s capital activities.

Key provisions and dollar amounts

  • Appropriates $20,300,000 in nonrecurring General Fund funds to the National Institute of Minority Economic Development for FY 2025–2026, to be used as follows:
    • $300,000 — programming support for three women’s business centers (serving western NC, the Triad, and the Piedmont).
    • $5,000,000 — grants to Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and to communities without CDCs to expand community economic development services.
    • $10,000,000 — long‑term residential housing recovery assistance for residents in western NC whose primary residence was damaged by Hurricane Helene.
    • $5,000,000 — Institute Capital (I‑CAP) institution for funding activities in the State.
  • Appropriates $1,000,000 in recurring General Fund funds for FY 2025–2026 to the Institute to be used to:
    • assist with housing recovery in western North Carolina;
    • provide State match funding for federal disaster‑recovery matching requirements; and
    • provide technical assistance and community development services in other parts of the State.

Who is affected / expected beneficiaries

  • Residents of western North Carolina with primary residences damaged by Hurricane Helene (direct housing assistance).
  • Local Community Development Corporations and communities lacking CDCs (capacity and service expansion).
  • Three designated women’s business centers (technical support and capacity building).
  • The National Institute of Minority Economic Development (recipient and administrator of the funds).
  • Potentially other communities statewide via the recurring $1M for technical assistance and matching funds.

Timeline and implementation

  • Funds are authorized for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. The act becomes effective July 1, 2025.
  • The bill entrusts fund administration to the Institute; the statutory text does not include detailed distribution formulas, application or grant processes, or reporting/oversight requirements.

Fiscal impact

  • $20.3 million nonrecurring General Fund appropriation (one‑time for FY 2025–26).
  • $1.0 million recurring General Fund appropriation (starting FY 2025–26).
  • The bill directs state monies to a nonprofit intermediary (the Institute) for distribution and program activities.

Notes / considerations

  • The bill targets both immediate long‑term housing recovery in a defined disaster area and broader community economic development capacity building.
  • Because the Institute (a nonprofit) is the designated recipient, implementation details (grant eligibility, application process, performance metrics, and oversight) will depend on the Institute’s procedures unless the State issues guidance or oversight provisions elsewhere.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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