Hot Springs is still rebuilding from Tropical Storm Helene, and several new opportunities could help move that work forward. The Town is preparing three grant applications to fund key recovery and resilience projects, and we want to hear from you before we apply.
This work would not be possible without the partners standing alongside us. Land of Sky Regional Council, Rebuild Hot Springs Area, and the Appalachian Design Center have been outstanding partners throughout our recovery, and the Town is grateful for their guidance, expertise, and commitment to our community. We are proud to be working with them.
The three projects the Town is pursuing are:
- The Community Center and Old Jail in downtown Hot Springs
- A Volunteer Fire Department substation and community resilience hub
- The second floor of the Town Hall offices for community and retail use
Two public hearings on July 13
Two of these projects are tied to Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) applications, and each requires a public hearing. Both will be held on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 6 PM at 43 Andrews Ave N, before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. These hearings are your chance to learn about the projects and tell the Town what you think.
A new fire substation and community resilience hub
The first application is to the Community Infrastructure (CDBG-CI) program, which helps western North Carolina communities become more resilient to future natural hazards. The Town plans to seek funding to build a new Volunteer Fire Department substation at 94 Forest Service Road. Beyond improving fire protection, the facility would double as a community resilience hub, a place to support emergency preparedness, disaster response, resource distribution, and year-round community services. The Town intends to apply for up to $15,000,000.
Revitalizing the Community Center and Old Jail
The second application is to the Commercial District Revitalization (CDBG-CDR) program, which helps restore commercial areas hit hard by the storm. The Town plans to seek funding to rehabilitate the Community Center and the Old Jail building downtown. The vision is to turn the Community Center into a functional space for public gatherings and programming, while the Old Jail is restored for reuse as small business or commercial space that brings new economic activity back to downtown. The Town intends to apply for up to $10,000,000.
How to take part
Come to the hearings on July 13 to learn more and speak directly to the Board. If you would rather share your thoughts in writing, a public comment period runs from July 13 through July 27, 2026. You can review the proposed applications and submit comments by:
- Visiting Town Hall at 43 Andrews Ave N, Hot Springs, NC 28743
- Emailing Town Administrator Hassena Kassim at financeofficer@townofhotsprings.org
- Calling (828) 622-7591
If you need special accommodations to attend, or this information in an alternate format because of a disability, contact us at the email or phone number above. This information is available in Spanish or any other language upon request. Please contact Brian White at brian@landofsky.org for language assistance.
These grants represent a real opportunity to strengthen Hot Springs for the years ahead, and the Town wants residents to be part of the decision. We hope to see you on July 13.