$3 Million Federal Grant Fuels Workforce Recovery After Hurricane Helene

The First Tennessee Development District (FTDD), through the Northeast Tennessee Local Workforce Development Board (NETLWDB), has been awarded $3,038,994.00 in National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG) funding to further support disaster recovery efforts and provide employment and training opportunities for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene.

The two-year grant, through September 2026, will fund temporary disaster relief employment for up to 275 participants. These individuals will be paid to assist in critical recovery work, including clearing debris, repairing damaged infrastructure, and restoring public spaces, roads, and waterways.

In addition to job placements, the grant provides up to $2,500 in supportive services per participant to help overcome employment barriers. Eligible items include work clothing, hand tools, and transportation assistance. Participants will also have access to short-term training for certifications in disaster-related fields such as mold remediation.

“Hurricane Helene brought devastating floods and high winds that destroyed roads, bridges, and utilities across our region,” said FTDD Deputy Director Mark Stevans. “This funding allows us to respond as the Local Workforce Board to strengthen our workforce, and further assist in restoring our communities, stronger and more resilient than before.”

Thousands of residents across Northeast Tennessee were left without power, water, phone, and internet service in the wake of the storm. Many lost homes, vehicles, or access to safe transportation due to washed-out roads and bridges, which are now being rebuilt. Initial funds, awarded in the fall of 2024 following the storm, were used to rehire staff in industries hardest hit to assist with initial cleanup, clear debris, provide emergency tools, and enroll several participants in certifications such as mold remediation.

The local Rapid Response Coordinator, Sandy Wangberg, is actively working with affected communities to identify worksites and recruit eligible residents to fill these disaster relief positions.

“Residents in Northeast Tennessee have shown incredible resilience,” said  Lisa Evans, WIOA Program Director. “This grant helps ensure that those who were most affected by the storm will also play a vital role in the region’s recovery.”

For more information about the program or how to apply, please contact Sandy Wangberg at swangberg@ftdd.org.