FAYETTEVILLE -- Governor Pat McCrory’s Hurricane Matthew Recovery Committee held its third regional meeting today in Cumberland County, where it discussed topics such as relief fundraising efforts, community outreach assistance and plans for long-term recovery for communities.

During the meeting the governor addressed those in attendance and committee members heard updates on the status of the ongoing recovery efforts in the area from Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry and representatives from FEMA. The committee, which is chaired by the governor's Chief of Staff Thomas Stith, also took comments from the public to gain an understanding of the continuing needs in Cumberland County and the region.

The committee has two further regional meetings currently scheduled over the coming weeks, including:

Pitt County November 30 at 10:00 a.m. East Carolina University Heart Institute

Lenoir County December 2 at 10:00 a.m. Lenoir Community College Waller Building

Governor McCrory announced the formation of the Committee in late October, and convened the first meeting in Raleigh on November 1. Initial assessments estimate Hurricane Matthew caused $2 billion in economic damage. Last week, the governor submitted a formal request for more than $1 billion in federal assistance and laid out a timeline for a request of additional recovery funding from the state.

The governor is encouraging individuals and groups to help in the relief efforts by making a financial or other contribution. Monetary contributions to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Matthew can be made by texting NCRECOVERS to 30306 or by visiting NCDisasterRelief.org. This is one of the best ways to help fund long-term recovery efforts.