NEWLAND, N.C. — Since the moment Helene hit western North Carolina, country music star Eric Church says he hasn’t been able to stop thinking about his neighbors in the mountains and the help they need.

“After a disaster in this country, we're pretty good at the 911 part, the water diapers,” Church said. “But we don't do as good a job almost a year later, and it was important to me that we keep the people in the community because that's what the community's about. If you lose the people, there is no community."

What You Need To Know

  • After Helene, country music artist Eric Church vowed to build 100 homes in western North Carolina

  • Church, along with his foundation Chief Cares, has partnered with Clayton Homes and Cisco for the project

  • Friday, the group, along with Gov. Josh Stein, broke ground at their first neighborhood in Newland, N.C.

  • The neighborhood named Blue Haven will have 45 manufactured homes, and they hope to have them done by this summer

It was that goal that inspired Church, along with his wife Katherine, and members of his foundation, Chief Cares, to come up with "A Blueprint for the Blue Ridge,” a plan to build neighborhoods in western North Carolina.

“It is absolutely heartwarming and heartfelt,” Chief Cares CEO John Blackburn said. “It reminds me that we all have to say, nevertheless, that we can make this happen. So it's been a challenge. But, you know, this is the beginning of a long-term project.”

With the help of partners like Gov. Josh Stein, Clayton Homes and Cisco, Church and his team were able to break ground on their first community in Newland Friday.

“The homes that will be built here will provide shelter, security and a sense of belonging to the families who are blessed to call this their neighborhood,” Stein said. “It will restore hope and provide structure for brighter days ahead.” 

Through the program, Chief Cares has acquired property in Avery County. The hope is to have 45 homes built on the land by this summer.

At that time, Church says families will be able to move in. Through grants from Chief Cares, the families will be able to live affordably in the homes for up to three years while they rebuild their lives.

“At the end of the term, families will have the option to buy the home they are living in with any and all avenues the Chief Cares can provide,” Church said. “This is the key pillar to the Blueprints Foundation. We put a house where your home is so that that house can be your home.”

For Avery County residents, the efforts from the team at Chief Cares means everything.

“It's one of the first moments that we're, we're all up here smiling,” Newland Mayor Derek Roberts said. “Thanks to Eric Church and his outfit, Chief Cares, John Blackburn, Jane Bumgarner, all the folks over there, what they're doing is just, I mean, it's, you know, I don't want to get too upset about it, but it's it's pretty dadgum impressive.”

As for Church, he says he’s determined to keep fighting for the people of western North Carolina.

“It's a mission of mine. And, I owe so much to this area, to the people here,” Church said. “I wouldn't be who I am or where I am if it wasn’t for them.  So until we get our part done, that's all I'll think about.”

Church says his team is already planning for more communities they hope to open in western North Carolina.