This is the second in a new season of our Main Street NC series. In the coming months, we’ll be visiting communities across the state to hear from local leaders about the positives going on in their towns, and the challenges they face.

Mitchell County, about an hour northeast of Asheville, was hit hard by Helene in September. The storm flooded its downtown business districts, wiped out water and sewer systems and damaged homes and roads. More than two months from the storm, WUNC's Colin Campbell visited the county to find out where the recovery stands and what assistance from state and federal governments is still needed. Small business grants, private bridge replacements and infrastructure funding are among the needs, according to County Manager Allen Cook.