In September 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, causing billions in damage and displacing thousands. But just two weeks before the storm hit, something remarkable happened in Buncombe County - they received over $159,000 in federal tax credit payments through a groundbreaking IRA program called "Direct Pay" or "Elective Pay."

This timing proved fortuitous. "These are much-needed funds to continue normal operations, much less the recovery effort over the coming years," said Jeremiah LeRoy, Buncombe County's Director of Sustainability. The county had deployed 19 solar projects across schools, administrative buildings, public safety facilities, libraries and community colleges in 2023. But claiming the tax credits for these investments wasn't straightforward.

"The biggest challenge was ensuring our tax forms were properly prepared and understanding the process for electronically filing our return," LeRoy explained. Since July 2024, he had been searching for a solution, as traditional e-filing wasn't possible for government entities like Buncombe County.

That's when a unique partnership stepped in to help. The World Resources Institute (WRI) and Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) had been supporting local governments across the country in accessing these new federal incentives. For Buncombe County, they brought in Giraffe Financial, a specialized firm focused exclusively on helping tax-exempt organizations navigate IRA tax credits.

"After speaking with Jason [Prince, Giraffe's CEO], I felt comfortable that we were in good hands with the Giraffe team," said LeRoy. "Knowing that they had also worked directly with Lawyers for Good Government was important in giving the County peace of mind."

The results were transformative. Not only did Buncombe County receive their first IRS payment quickly, but Giraffe's ability to e-file their returns saved precious weeks or months compared to paper filing. "Staff capacity is a huge issue for many organizations," LeRoy noted. "Giraffe handled all the heavy lifting to help reduce administrative burden and get our Direct Payment quickly and efficiently."

The impact goes beyond just the initial payment. The county is now using these funds and their experience with Direct Pay to shape future resilience efforts. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, they're piloting battery storage projects to help provide power to critical community facilities during future outages.

"The biggest thing that I think about is how to create opportunities to build back better as a more resilient community," said LeRoy. "And having elective pay will make that...a possibility."

Buncombe County's success demonstrates how sustainability departments across the country are leading the charge in leveraging these new federal incentives. Their story offers a model for other local governments looking to access IRA tax credits - and shows how proper timing and expert support can make all the difference when disaster strikes.

For other organizations considering this path, LeRoy's advice is clear: "I would definitely ask others to consider using expert support for your IRA-related needs. The customer service, quick turnaround on deliverables, and time saved made the process seamless."