Additional funds are being invested into areas affected by Hurricane Helene to help with recovery efforts, North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein announced Friday.
The U.S. Department of Labor is releasing $4 million as part of a $10 million fund from the Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant program awarded to the state after Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding to western parts of North Carolina after making landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida on Sept. 26, 2024.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) requested the funds in October 2024.
“Hurricane Helene inflicted billions in economic losses on businesses large and small,” Stein said in a press release. “Thousands of people lost their jobs. This federal grant will enable folks in western North Carolina who are out of work to get a job helping their neighbors and businesses recover and rebuild.”
Stein said it’s a win-win, but added that despite progress already made, the area is a long way from done.
“I am pleased that this federal grant has now been fully awarded, but more is needed. That is why I continue to advocate for an additional $38 million for workforce support from our federal partners,” Stein said. “We will never forget our commitment to the people of western North Carolina.”
DWS is administering the new funding and will work in partnership with five local workforce development boards (WBD), including:
— Foothills WBD in Cleveland, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford counties.
— High Country WBD in Allegheny, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey counties.
— Mountain Area WBD in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties.
— Southwestern WBD in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties.
— Western Piedmont WBD in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties.
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley said the department continues to use a variety of tools to help the families and businesses of western North Carolina.
“We are grateful for the strong collaboration by our team, employers, local workforce development boards, and NCWorks Career Centers, which has helped to place workers in vital roles that serve their communities,” Lilley said.
Through the grant, eligible residents can earn employment in jobs supporting recovery efforts, including clean-up, recovery from storm damage, or humanitarian assistance.
DWS grants supported by the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act can fund temporary jobs in response to large, unexpected events that cause significant job losses. Participants can be employed by non-profit organizations, state or local government agencies, or private businesses that are engaged in disaster and recovery work.
The grants can also be used to support employment and training services that help find permanent jobs and fund workforce training.
Workers could be eligible if they were either temporarily or permanently laid off from their jobs as a consequence of the hurricane or if they meet certain other criteria.
Residents wishing to apply for the Hurricane Helene Dislocated Worker Grant program are encouraged to contact their local NCWorks Career Center.
Contact information is available at www.ncworks.gov.
