US Department of Labor awards $2.7M for disaster-relief jobs, training for Georgia residents affected by Hurricane Helene

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $2.7 million in grant funding to support disaster-relief jobs and employment and training services for Georgia residents suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida before swiftly moving into Georgia, bringing torrential rain and heavy devastating winds that left a trail of destruction across much of the state. In addition to causing extensive infrastructure damage and prolonged power outages, the storm caused significant job losses. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued a major disaster declaration, enabling Georgia to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Columbia, Cook, Dodge, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Hancock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Long, Lowndes, McDuffie, McIntosh, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilkes counties.

This Disaster Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grant allows the Technical College System of Georgia to provide people with temporary jobs focused on cleanup and recovery efforts, as well as offer employment and training services to eligible participants in affected communities. 

Supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, National Dislocated Worker 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.