Raleigh, NC — Residents in 39 North Carolina counties are now eligible to apply for temporary jobs aiding in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced Friday. This marks an expansion from the initial 25 counties announced in October.
“Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on communities and devastated people’s livelihoods,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Unemployment in the west has spiked. This program will get folks back to work while helping their neighbors recover and rebuild.”
Funded by a $10 million Disaster Recovery Dislocated Worker Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, the program provides temporary employment to support storm cleanup and recovery. The grant also covers humanitarian assistance for affected residents and offers training services to help displaced workers find new careers.
Eligible Counties
The newly eligible counties include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Forsyth, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Iredell, Jackson, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Nash, Polk, Rowan, Rutherford, Stanly, Surry, Swain, Transylvania, Union, Watauga, Wilkes, Yadkin, and Yancey.
Program Details
Residents eligible for the program may be employed for up to 12 months in roles addressing storm damage, cleanup, or community assistance. Jobs may be with nonprofit organizations, state or local governments, or private businesses involved in disaster recovery. The program is supported by the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, which funds job opportunities in response to large-scale events causing significant job losses.
Examples of successful implementation include:
- Springhouse Farm LLC in Watauga County: Workers have helped with debris removal and rebuilding.
- Haywood Waterways Association, Inc.: Temporary workers have assisted in cleaning creeks and streams in Haywood County.
In addition to temporary employment, the grant supports training programs, including those offered through community colleges, to help residents transition into new careers.
“Recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene is North Carolina’s top priority, and that includes helping people find work and rebuild their careers,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley.
How to Apply
Residents impacted by the hurricane can apply for the grant program by contacting their local NCWorks Career Center. Contact information is available at www.ncworks.gov.
Eligible participants include those temporarily or permanently laid off due to the hurricane or those meeting other criteria established by the program.
