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by Dean Hensley
CANTON, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein and N.C. Secretary of Environmental Quality Reid Wilson visited Canton on May 14 to highlight ongoing recovery efforts in the community after Helene and to announce a $3.5 million grant to go toward building a new wastewater treatment plant.
Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers spoke first at the news conference and, just before introducing Stein, said, "Today is a good day."
"The next chapter will start where the last one ended, just before Helene hit – with manufacturing," he said. "And Canton has no better friend in Raleigh than the man standing behind me – Josh Stein."
Stein said that with Fred, Helene and other flooding events, the Town of Canton had endured "more than its fair share of tough situations."
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"When Helene hit, floodwaters in Canton rose 26 feet. That was higher than any other storm in the last 100 years," Stein said. "In the months since Helene, the state has awarded $861 million in Helene recovery. With these latest funds, we're going to build a new wastewater [treatment plant] right here in Canton. This project will connect the towns of Canton, Waynesville and Clyde."
Wilson was next to speak and said that since Helene hit, rebuilding WNC has been the state's top priority.
"To date, $681 million have been used to fund 217 relief projects. And like Gov. Stein said, we don't want to just rebuild. We must strengthen our systems for resiliency against future flooding events," Wilson said.
Stein was asked by News 13 about the latest state budget proposal from lawmakers, and Stein said he's hoping his latest proposal will get approved. That proposal calls for $792 million for more Helene recovery efforts.
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"When residents turn on their taps at home, they have to be sure that their water is safe and clean. We can't build to yesterday's standards alone. We have to make sure the infrastructure is better equipped," he said.
Stein said WNC will continue to recover and rebuild and return stronger than it was before.
"After every visit here, I leave more inspired," Stein said.
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