Governor Roy Cooper welcomed the Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Shigeo Yamada, to Charlotte and served as the host-state Governor for the annual Southeastern United States/Japan (SEUS/Japan) Economic Development Conference. The conference convened on Sunday, October 27 in Charlotte to recruit Japanese industry and meet with business leaders.
Press Releases
Today, Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bill into law:
Today, Governor Cooper visited Green River Cove in Polk County to assess storm damage to the Green River and surrounding areas, meet with local officials and speak with those impacted by the storm. In the afternoon, the Governor joined First Lady of the United States Jill Biden at a World Central Kitchen site in Asheville where they packed and served food and thanked volunteers. This morning, the Governor signed Senate Bill 743 into law, which allocates more than $600 million in Helene disaster relief and recovery funds.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited the North Carolina State Fair. The Governor donated cans as part of Canned Food Day before visiting a booth operated by Bright Branch Farms, a farm in Henderson County impacted by Hurricane Helene and spoke with crafters and artisans from Western North Carolina.
Yesterday, Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order focused on easing requirements and fee collections for North Carolinians related to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. As a result of this Order, the DMV will suspend the collection of various application and late fees, suspend certain requirements for both residents and businesses, and extend certain licenses for mechanics and businesses.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) has been awarded a $105 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement Program (CRISI).
Less than a month after Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper today shared a state budget recommendation to help rebuild stronger to withstand future storms. Governor Cooper recommends an initial $3.9 billion package to begin rebuilding critical infrastructure, homes, businesses, schools, and farms damaged during the storm.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced the release of the Governor's Environmental Justice Advisory Council report, representing a significant step towards addressing Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns in North Carolina. This comprehensive report comes as a result of the reestablishment of the Secretary of Environmental Quality's Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board in October 2023 by Governor Cooper's Executive Order No. 292.
As relief efforts continue in Western North Carolina, Governor Cooper is encouraging Western North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene to enroll in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) this week by the Thursday deadline.
After Hurricane Helene, North Carolina continues leading a robust response and recovery with the support of federal, local, and non-profit partners.