NETN lawmakers propose another $100 million in Helene relief
State Rep. Timothy Hill and state Sen. Rusty Crowe are sponsoring a bill to create two grant funds to assist individuals and local governments. $50 million would go toward each fund, with additional funding possibly available in the future.
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The Hurricane Helene County Relief Fund would distribute grants to counties for infrastructure, remediation, property repairs, and other general recovery efforts.
The funds would be distributed to the following counties:
Carter County — $10 million
Cocke County — $7.5 million
Greene County — $6 million
Hamblen County — $2 million
Hawkins County — $1 million
Johnson County — $7.5 million
Sullivan County — $1 million
Unicoi County — $7.5 million
Washington County — $7.5 million
The Hurricane Helene Rapid Response Fund would support residents who meet specific criteria in counties declared impacted by the hurricane. It would be administered by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, and individuals could apply for assistance online.
If approved, the grant funding would be in addition to other Hurricane Helene relief measures the General Assembly passed during a special session earlier this year.
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'We made a significant first step during the special session to support Northeast Tennessee, and this bill aims to build on that progress,' Hill said. 'I'm working closely with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) every week to find a solution that delivers genuine relief to those devastated by Helene.'
The bill was approved by a House subcommittee this week and will go before the State and Local Government Committee, which another local lawmaker, state Rep. John Crawford, chairs.
The General Assembly would have to approve the funding for both grant funds in the 2025-26 budget.
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