RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday announced a $10 million grant aimed at helping economic recovery after Hurricane Helene.
Workers in western North Carolina will now be given training and job opportunities, as many lost their jobs from the impacts of Helene.
“As we continue our unprecedented response effort to surge resources into affected areas, this grant from our federal partners will help provide critical jobs and training services to folks who need them," Cooper said in a news release.
Those eligible will be employed in jobs that support clean-up and recovery after Helene for up to a year, and could support employment services or training to help people find new jobs.
Roughly $2 million will be immediately available from the grant, and the rest will be distributed as needed over the coming months. The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions can apply for additional funding if more support is needed, according to the governor's office.
The grant will last for two years and covers 25 counties, based on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) eligibility:
- Alexander
- Alleghany
- Ashe
- Avery
- Buncombe
- Burke
- Caldwell
- Catawba
- Clay
- Cleveland
- Gaston
- Haywood
- Henderson
- Jackson
- Lincoln
- Macon
- Madison
- McDowell
- Mitchell
- Polk
- Rutherford
- Transylvania
- Watauga
- Wilkes
- Yancey
The grant could potentially expand to Mecklenburg and Swain counties based on federal approval.
“We look forward to using these resources to support disaster relief and recovery by connecting people who need work with organizations that need workers,” N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said. “The challenges facing the communities of western North Carolina are immense, but our people are resilient, and together, we will rebuild.”
Those who feel they may be eligible can contact their local NCWorks center.