Six WNC Counties Shift to Higher Distress Tiers After Hurricane

WNC -- January 20. 2026: Six Western North Carolina counties have shifted to higher distress tiers due to the economic fallout from Hurricane Helene, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Buncombe, Burke, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Yancey counties will be eligible for increased state funding for business recruitment and expansion as a result of the redesignation.The tier changes reflect weakened metrics like unemployment rates and median household income, which are direct