After the cameras leave: A strategic approach to disaster recovery
From 2018 through 2025, I worked for the State of Florida and supported disaster response and recovery efforts for every hurricane that made landfall in the Sunshine State. During this time, Florida faced eight hurricanes and nine tropical storms. From the profound damage that Hurricane Michael inflicted on northwest Florida’s timber industry, to the catastrophic southeast flooding caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, I saw these events capture national attention and garner short-term support at the federal and state levels. I also saw the realities that many of these communities faced as the media attention faded and resources ran dry.
Once camera crews leave and headlines shift, communities face years of sustained recovery challenges. Short-term help is necessary, but recovery is not complete without a well-thought-out strategy for long-term rebuilding. Today, under the leadership of President Trump, the Department of Commerce is creating a model that helps communities rebuild and reinvigorate their economies for exponential growth.
Through the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) $1.45 billion 2025 Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, the Department of Commerce is helping communities translate devastation into opportunity by providing meaningful investments in disaster-impacted areas to catalyze private sector growth.
Achieving this requires breaking down silos and building trust among those who know the community best. EDA actively brings together local governments, state officials, private industry, and other strategic stakeholders to map out and implement long-term recovery plans. By convening these groups, we ensure that federal investments align directly with local workforce needs and regional economic goals. This unified approach transforms fragmented recovery efforts into a cohesive, actionable strategy for long-term revitalization. An excellent example of this approach is EDA's work in North Carolina.
Earlier this year, members of the senior leadership team at the Department of Commerce traveled to Western North Carolina and saw the enduring damage of Hurricane Helene. It was a scene I’ve personally witnessed in my home state of Florida – impacted areas still struggling to recover and restore normal life years after the hurricane’s impact. The Department of Commerce has also been a part of this region’s recovery efforts since the early days post-storm, but with a slightly different approach than other partners.
Beyond helping communities get back to business as usual, EDA makes coordinated investments in infrastructure, economic development planning, and workforce development to transform local economies and provide job opportunities for residents. During our visit to Western North Carolina, EDA and the Department of Commerce partnered with local leaders to announce $34.2 million in awards for disaster recovery to support the region following Hurricane Helene. These investments are not funding one-off projects. They are instead developing scalable, region-specific investment models that will promote continuous growth.
For example, EDA awarded $29.2 million to Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College to fund the construction of a 70,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing innovation hub in Buncombe County. The facility will serve as both a manufacturing workforce training center and a collaborative space for product development and commercialization, thereby strengthening Western North Carolina’s competitive position in advanced manufacturing. The potential of this investment was bolstered by complementary investments throughout the region, such as infrastructure investments totaling $20 million to the City of Hendersonville, NC to increase capacity for additional industry growth. In the coming months, EDA will build on these successes with over $145 million in additional awards that fund projects across the region. All together, these awards will help Western North Carolina diversify its economy and provide new opportunities for the private sector to drive further economic growth.
Finally, these investments support the President Trump’s broader economic priorities, specifically advancing President Trump’s Executive Orders related to expanding skilled trades opportunities, unleashing America’s energy dominance, and reshoring manufacturing capacity. With the help of EDA’s coordinated investments, Western North Carolina is well-positioned to be a leader in the revitalization of American manufacturing for generations.
The Department of Commerce’s approach stands out by fostering lasting prosperity rather than simply funding quick fixes. My years responding to hurricanes in Florida taught me that true revitalization demands ongoing, strategic investment. Under the vision set by President Trump, the Department of Commerce is ensuring that disaster-impacted areas are equipped for resilient growth long after headlines fade.
Note to the reader: Caleb Spencer serves as the Chief of Staff at the Economic Development Administration. Before his time at the Department of Commerce and EDA, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Florida's former Chief Financial Officer & State Fire Marshall, Jimmy Patronis.