The U.S. Department of Labor has allocated an additional $3.5 million to continue supporting disaster-relief employment and training for residents of Tennessee impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. This funding aims to assist those affected by the storm, which hit in September 2024 after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before weakening and causing significant flooding in eastern Tennessee.
The storm's impact included fatalities and extensive damage to businesses, homes, and infrastructure. In response, the Employment and Training Administration initially awarded a National Dislocated Worker Grant up to $5 million in October 2024, starting with $1 million to aid cleanup and recovery efforts across 12 counties in Tennessee.
This grant enables the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to offer temporary jobs focused on recovery activities while providing employment and training services for individuals affected by the storm. The initiative is backed by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which supports regions experiencing major economic disruptions that surpass local workforce resources.
"Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014," these grants "provide a state or local board with funding for direct services and assistance in areas experiencing a major economic dislocation event that leads to workforce needs exceeding available resources."
