Chimney Rock

Rutherford County, North Carolina

The Village of Chimney Rock is a stunning mountain village known for its breathtaking scenery, outdoor adventures, and rich history. Located just east of Asheville, this small town sits along the Rocky Broad River and serves as the gateway to Chimney Rock State Park, home to the iconic 315-foot rock formation that shares its name. Chimney Rock’s dramatic landscape, shaped by the forces of water and time, offers endless opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and sightseeing.

The town’s proximity to Lake Lure adds to its appeal, drawing visitors eager to explore the region’s waterfalls, rivers, and scenic vistas. However, its location within Hickory Nut Gorge also makes it vulnerable to flooding, as heavy rains can cause the Rocky Broad River to swell rapidly. Over the years, the community has worked to strengthen its flood resilience, ensuring that its beloved downtown, local businesses, and historic sites can withstand the challenges posed by extreme weather. Despite these risks, Chimney Rock remains a vibrant and welcoming destination, where visitors can experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, enjoy small-town hospitality, and immerse themselves in North Carolina’s natural wonders. Whether you’re hiking to the top of Chimney Rock, exploring the riverfront, or simply taking in the stunning views, this mountain town offers a one-of-a-kind escape that keeps people coming back year after year.

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Which characteristics is your community looking for in funding opportunities?

Disaster declaration
A Presidential Disaster Declaration unlocks a suite of federal programs that assist local governments with disaster recovery. This is a good filter for communities included in recent Disaster Declarations related to flooding.
Nature-based solutions
The program has a strong focus on providing assistance to promote a healthy ecosystem as a critical defense against flooding impacts. Eligible activities may include floodplain restoration, environmental stewardship, projects that use natural features to mitigate erosion, and living shorelines.
Encourages public-private partnerships
The program encourages or requires collaboration between government entities and stakeholders, including the private sector, to fund, develop, or implement projects.
Offers rolling deadlines
The program accepts applications on an ongoing basis with no fixed deadline.

Is your project in the planning, design, or construction phase?

Planning
The gathering of data and information regarding the extent and impacts of flooding. Eligible activities may include data acquisition, risk assessment, and environmental analysis.
Design & scoping
Covers pre-construction activities, such as defining project scope, developing technical designs, and securing funding to prepare for implementation.
Construction & implementation
Involves carrying out flood resilience projects, including building infrastructure and deploying solutions to reduce flood risks.

Are you looking for grants, loans, or technical assistance for your project?

Funding (grants)
A monetary award that does not need to be repaid. Many federal grants are reimbursable, meaning recipients must cover project costs upfront and then request reimbursement from the government.
Financing (loans)
A government-issued loan that must be repaid. These loans typically provide funding upfront, helping communities cover project costs before repayment begins.
Technical assistance
Assistance from the government in the form of services — such as project planning, engineering and design support, data analysis, training, capacity building, or collaboration through a cooperative agreement — instead of direct funding.

Some programs provide extra support for specific project types or communities. Do any of these apply to your project?

Small or rural communities
Programs that set aside funding, offer loan forgiveness, or adjust cost share requirements for communities with smaller populations.
Small or low-cost projects
Programs that offer reduced requirements for smaller projects, such as waived cost-sharing or exemptions from benefit-cost analysis.
Regional or watershed focus
Programs that support projects that take a watershed management approach or address flooding at a regional scale, requiring coordination beyond a single town or community.
Tribal communities
Programs that dedicate resources or adjust cost share requirements specifically for tribal governments or organizations.

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