The Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure (HRRI) Grant

The Helene Recovery Recycling Infrastructure (HRRI) Grant is administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Division of Environmental Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS), with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Hazardous Waste Management State Program Support under the American Relief Act of 2025. This program supports recovery, rebuilding, and expansion of waste reduction, composting, and recycling infrastructure in western North Carolina counties affected by Hurricane Helene. The purpose of the HRRI grant is to help communities improve the resilience of their waste management systems, reduce materials entering the waste stream, and build long-term infrastructure capacity. Eligible local governments may submit one proposal each, requesting up to $5 million in funding. A total of $25 million is available through this grant program. No local match is required, and grants are disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Eligible expenses include infrastructure improvements, construction of recycling facilities, site development, equipment and vehicle purchases, engineering studies, and educational materials. Ineligible costs include salaries, administrative overhead, contracted collection services, and utility fees. The first phase of the application period is open through January 30, 2026. Proposals are evaluated on several criteria, including demonstration of need, planning quality, waste reduction impact, cost-effectiveness, and joint partnerships. Applicants selected for funding will enter a grant contract with NCDEQ and become subrecipients of the EPA. Projects may span one to three years, but must conclude by June 30, 2030. A 10% holdback on grant funds is applied until final reports are submitted and approved. Eligible applicants are counties, municipalities, councils of governments, and solid waste authorities located within specific counties declared eligible under FEMA disaster D-4827. Federal and state agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions are not eligible. Joint proposals involving multiple governments are encouraged. Applications must be submitted electronically and follow a strict proposal format, including a project description, timeline, budget, and compliance certifications. For additional information or to submit a proposal, applicants may contact Matt James at matt.james@deq.nc.gov or 919-707-8142. Sandy Skolochenko is also available at sandy.skolochenko@deq.nc.gov or 919-707-8147. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full Request for Proposals and to consult DEACS early in the planning process to improve competitiveness.

Contact DEACS early to discuss project ideas; ensure clarity and completeness of proposal; demonstrate measurable need, cost-effectiveness, and long-term resilience; only one proposal per entity is allowed.