North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has announced $8.5 million in a third round of small business grants for western North Carolina, aimed at aiding small businesses in recovery after Hurricane Helene. The grants will be used to aid 13 projects throughout western North Carolinian. This round is specifically focused on small businesses infrastructure, which is crucial for the area's business. The funding comes amid ongoing efforts for more federal funding following the disaster, with Governor Stein stating that the state has only received a fraction of what other states have received in similar disasters.