North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley visited Spruce Pine last week to meet with small business owners and learn about the community’s concerns related to Helene recovery and to see, firsthand, the ongoing rebuilding process.
The commissioner visited with local business owners informally at DT’s Junior Java on Upper Street (Oak Avenue).
Farley said in a release that he was impressed with the challenges facing local businesses in the wake of Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).
“I want to thank the business owners and residents for taking the time to meet with me,” Farley said.
The Republican Farley assumed office at the beginning of January after defeating Democrat Braxton Winston II in the November general election, 52.8 percent to 47.2 percent.
Farley indicated that he learned a lot from Mitchell business owners during his visit.
“I appreciated their candor in sharing their experiences and concerns,” he said. “The situation for small businesses remains dire. If we can’t get them back up and running soon, our communities in western North Carolina are going to be hollowed out.”
Farley noted that delays in reopening could make it difficult for local businesses to find staff later.
“The workforce will move away in search of jobs elsewhere, the businesses won’t be able to reopen because they won’t have workers or customers, and the tax base will be permanently eroded,” he said. “We need to simplify and streamline the process of rebuilding and reopening. As Labor Commissioner, I’m committed to finding solutions that will quickly let our neighbors in western North Carolina go back to earning a living. But this isn’t just about businesses reopening. It is about rebuilding lives, families, and communities that depend on those businesses.”