NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has announced a $100 million loan program to aid counties severely affected by Hurricane Helene in their recovery efforts. The program, named the Helene Emergency Assistance Loan or HEAL program, will provide no-interest loans to assist communities with debris removal and repairs to damaged water systems while they await federal reimbursements.
Lee, a Republican, stated that the program is intended to provide immediate relief to communities, as federal funding is expected to be available at a later stage. He emphasized the state’s strong financial position, made possible by fiscal conservatism, allowing them to help residents during this critical time.
The governor revealed that the idea for the program originated from a conversation with a local county mayor in East Tennessee, days after Hurricane Helene struck the region. The mayor expressed concerns about maintaining payroll while simultaneously covering cleanup costs, prompting Lee to develop the HEAL program.
The loan program will be allocated as follows: $35 million for water and wastewater repairs, and $65 million for debris removal. The state funding will be drawn from Tennessee’s Medicaid program, known as TennCare. Lee justified this decision by stating that the funds are intended to support health and welfare, aligning with the program’s objectives.
The counties eligible for assistance are: Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, and Washington.
Tennessee has reported 17 fatalities as a result of Hurricane Helene’s impact on the state. A few residents remain unaccounted for, and numerous bridges and roads remain damaged, as cleanup efforts continue.
