The U.S. Department of Labor has announced an allocation of $4 million to extend disaster-relief jobs and continue employment training for North Carolina residents impacted by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The natural disaster resulted in unprecedented flooding in the area.
Initially, in October 2024, the Department's Employment and Training Administration responded with a National Dislocated Worker Grant aimed at supporting cleanup and recovery operations. The grant, which has a total potential value of up to $10 million, began with an initial disbursement of $2 million to aid 25 communities in North Carolina affected by the storm.
The Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant is designed to assist the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions, in offering temporary jobs for cleanup and recovery activities. It also provides essential employment and training services to those affected by the hurricane.
The initiative is underpinned by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which facilitates the provision of National Dislocated Worker Grants. These grants are intended for direct services and assistance in regions experiencing a significant economic disruption that results in workforce demands surpassing available resources.
