The additional money will support long-term resilience projects, including the creation of a recovery office. Of this funding, $10 million is allocated to landslide recovery and preparedness efforts, while the remaining amount will be used for road repairs and park projects.
Here's a breakdown of where the money will go:
- Landslides - $10,296,428
- Tower Roads - $1,324,343
- Owen Park - $1,807,912
- Additional Parks projects - $572,562
'Hurricane Helene: One Year Later': Full Episode
The U.S. Department of Labor has also released $4 million to support job recovery for individuals impacted by the storm. This funding is part of a $10 million Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant initially awarded to North Carolina in 2024.
Governor Josh Stein emphasized the importance of the funding, stating, "Hurricane Helene inflicted billions in economic losses on businesses large and small. 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. It is a win-win."
Through the grant, eligible residents in western North Carolina are employed in jobs that support clean-up, recovery, and assistance for affected areas.