NETN lawmakers ask for $100 million for additional Helene relief

Two local lawmakers want to bring another $100 million in Hurricane Helene relief to Northeast Tennessee. State Representative Timothy Hill and state Senator Rusty Crowe are sponsoring a bill to create two grant funds that would assist individuals and local governments. $50 million would go toward each fund, with additional funding a possibility in the future. The Hurricane Helene County Relief Fund would distribute grants to counties for infrastructure, remediation, property repairs, and other recovery efforts. The Hurricane Helene Rapid Response Fund would support residents who meet specific criteria in counties declared impacted by the hurricane. The funds would be in addition to funds already allocated and the General Assembly would have to approve the funding for both grants in the 2025-26 budget.