In the aftermath of two hurricanes seemingly back-to-back, Orange County has been working – along with the rest of North Carolina – to rebuild and repair.

“The Town of Chapel Hill has reached out to businesses in specific that were affected by the hurricane, that were flooded,” said Dwight Bassett, Economic Development Director for Chapel Hill. “We’ve tried to expedite a permit process to get them back in business. As long as they’re replacing like-for-like, it’s a pretty simple process … They can get a permit within a day and get it finalized within a day or two. We’re just trying to reach out and figure out how we can help others that are going to be more difficult.”

Some businesses, such as the Starbucks and Bruegger’s Bagels in Eastgate Shopping Center, are facing larger challenges after significant flooding damage. Flooded interiors and full renovations following storm damage are difficult to itemize and account for under a “like-for-like” policy.

“The good news is, for people who aren’t aware, the town has been talking about how we can improve the condition of what happened at Eastgate,” said Bassett.

Eastgate in general suffered a great deal of damage from flooding in the wake of Florence, though potential development of an enhanced stormwater retention pond could help in future storms – a project that Mayor Pam Hemminger has referred to as “a top priority” in the past.

“We try to be incredibly friendly to those businesses,” said Bassett. “We know they didn’t bring this on themselves, and we want to do everything we can to facilitate them getting back open.”

Outside of assisting local businesses getting back on their feet following the recent series of storms, Bassett also works to enhance the economic growth of Chapel Hill and surrounding areas. Listen below as he speaks with WCHL’s Aaron Keck about ongoing economic development efforts in Orange County, including some thoughts on the recent Orange County Economic Development Summit!

(feature photo via Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Related Stories
‹
OC Economic Officials Say Development Key To Social Justice
CHAPEL HILL – Orange County is by many measures the most affluent county in North Carolina, but its poverty rate is also well above the state average—a striking statistic that’s troubling for residents who say they’re committed to progressive values like social and economic justice. It’s a reality that’s existed for years, and there’s no […]
17-Year-Old Suspect Sought for Gunfire, Domestic Assault in Orange County Surrenders to Authorities
A 17-year-old wanted for a domestic violence incident involving gunfire turned himself in to the Orange County Magistrate’s Office on Monday.
Uproar Festival of Public Art to Return to Orange County in August
The Uproar Festival of Public Art returns this August to showcase large-scale, bold works of art outdoors in Orange County.
No Clear Solution: Protecting Orange County's Manufactured Home Communities
Orange County is a place people want to raise their families, and manufactured housing allows a lot of low-income housing families to do that.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to Affect Local Government Services (2025)
The observation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20 will affect local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s what residents can expect this year: Town of Chapel Hill Town offices will be closed on Monday. Residential trash normally collected on Monday will be collected on Wednesday, January 22. Curbside recycling […]
Christmas Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County (2024)
The Christmas holiday will affect several local government services. Here’s a rundown of what Orange County residents can expect.
Thanksgiving Holiday to Affect Local Government Services in Orange County
Thanksgiving will fall on Thursday, Nov. 28 this year, and the holiday will affect several local government services around the Orange County community. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 are both town holidays. Residential trash collection will not be affected. However, there […]
Hillsborough Police: Chapel Hill Man Arrested After Traffic Stop
A Chapel Hill man was taken into custody and charged with several offenses after a traffic stop in Hillsborough on Thursday. According to the Hillsborough Police Department, 52-year-old Nathan Devon Brown – a passenger in the stopped vehicle – reached for a gun during the stop. Police say officers initiated a stop in the southern […]
Chapel Hill Woman Wins Jackpot Lottery Prize
Patricia Oliver of Chapel Hill won a $226,671 prize off of a $1 Cash 5 lottery ticket on Sunday. She claimed her prize – which, after required federal and state taxes, comes to $162,070 – at lottery headquarters on Thursday. Oliver bought her ticket using Online Play. The North Carolina Education Lottery estimates the odds […]
Orange County Veterans Memorial Holds Ceremony, Continues Construction – But Without Longtime Supporter
The Orange County Veterans Memorial’s leadership held its customary Veterans Day ceremony to honor the holiday and local veterans.
›