Town of Black Mountain launches Office of Recovery & Resiliency to lead post-Helene rebuilding and long-term planning
BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC (July 1, 2025) The Town of Black Mountain is proud to announce the establishment of the Office of Recovery & Resiliency, a new municipal office dedicated to leading the community’s recovery from Tropical Storm Helene and coordinating long-term efforts to reduce disaster risk and build a stronger, safer future.
The Office, housed within Administration Department and led by Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman, will oversee disaster recovery projects, manage funding from state and federal agencies, and lead town-wide mitigation and resilience planning.
“Helene was a devastating storm that tested every part of our infrastructure and emergency systems,” said Town Manager Josh Harrold. “The creation of this Office is a direct response to that challenge. It reflects our commitment to rebuilding smarter, not just replacing what was lost, but creating systems and structures that will serve and protect Black Mountain for generations to come.”
The Office of Recovery & Resiliency will coordinate dozens of recovery and infrastructure projects across the town, including:
Repair and replacement of infrastructure including roads, dam, water system, and parks
Repair and hazard mitigation improvements to damaged buildings
Supporting and coordinating state and federal mitigation opportunities
Community outreach and education on flood risk, preparedness, and mitigation
In addition to overseeing active recovery projects, the Office will serve as a hub for planning, data analysis, grant development, and public engagement aimed at strengthening Black Mountain’s ability to withstand future storms, wildfires, and other hazards.
“This is not just about recovery—it’s about readiness,” said Assistant Town Manager Jessica Trotman. “Our community is stepping into a new era of resilience. This office will help ensure that we are not only responding to disaster, but preparing for it, adapting to it, and leading by example.”
The Town invites residents to follow progress, access resources, and learn more about recovery and resilience efforts by visiting www.townofblackmountain.org and clicking the Government tab, which will lead you to this page: www.townofblackmountain.org/2989/Office-of-Recovery-Resiliency
This new webpage will continue to be updated with additional resources and project tracking.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jessica Trotman
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Black Mountain
Jessica.trotman@tobm.org
828-419-9300
