Supporting Recovery for Western NC’s Building Industry
Many companies in Western North Carolina’s building industry are dealing with devastating losses after Hurricane Helene.
We have been calling our members to learn more about their situations, and we’ve found that a number of members have lost not only their buildings but also trucks, tools, and supplies—the equipment they rely on to do their work and keep their businesses running.
In response, BABRM is taking action to help its members and the industry as a whole:
- A task force of more than 40 members is working with BABRM staff to organize the organization’s relief efforts, determining priorities and tactics in these areas:
- Funding & Government
- Community outreach/member-to-member support
- Partnerships for rebuilding
- Health & wellness
Tactics being discussed range from pursuing grant money for impacted companies to determining how we can partner with and grow our impact with other industry groups and nonprofits.
“We’re getting tremendous participation from members, and we welcome more participants for our task force,” said Max DeHoll of Modern Mountain Builders. DeHoll is heading up the task force with BABRM executive officer Megan Carroll, working closely with the North Carolina Home Builders Association and the National Association of Home Builders.
The task force has formed working groups for each area, meeting weekly and determining priorities for their work. Their goals are tied to helping the WNC building industry now, while also looking at ways to provide support long-term.
For more information, members can contact BABRM staff members, who can help volunteers decide where they would like to get involved.
The Association has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help our members get back on their feet. The support, which will be distributed through the Association’s nonprofit foundation, a 501(3)(c), will provide funding for the replacement of trucks and equipment, rebuilding business locations, and replenishing supplies.
To give to the fund, click the Blue Ridge Builders gofund me here.
“I am proud of how so many of our members are taking time to help their industry colleagues,” said BABRM’s Megan Carroll. “We’ve talked to building industry leaders in other areas that experienced disasters, like New Orleans, and we know that we need to be focused on this for the long haul to make a difference.”
