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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee shared additional guidance on how communities impacted by Hurricane Helene may opt-in to receive immediate financial relief via the HEAL Program, which was established swiftly in the days following the disaster. The $100 million fund directly serves the health and wellness of Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Counties eligible for assistance include Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington. If any additional counties are added to the Major Disaster Declaration for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Categories A through G, they will become eligible for the program.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee unveiled the Helene Emergency Assistance Loans (HEAL) Program, a $100 million fund to directly serve the health and wellbeing of Tennesseans in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Counties eligible for assistance include Carter, Claiborne, Cocke, Grainger, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Jefferson, Johnson, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced three more counties have been approved for FEMA’s Public Assistance program. The program is now available to eligible jurisdictions and certain private, non-profit organizations in a total of 12 counties following significant flooding from Hurricane Helene that impacted Northeast Tennessee on September 26.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Revenue announced four tax relief measures for Tennessee businesses and individuals affected by Hurricane Helene.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and First Lady Maria Lee highlighted resources available for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and ways Tennesseans can serve.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee traveled to Greene and Cocke counties to survey storm damage on the ground and meet with survivors, first responders and volunteers following severe weather and flooding from Hurricane Helene. This marks the Governor’s third trip to the region; he participated in aerial surveys and surveyed damage on the ground in Carter and Unicoi counties earlier in the week. Gov. Lee also provided updates on the State’s multi-agency response.

Nashville, Tenn. – As communities in Northeast Tennessee continue to experience significant impacts from Hurricane Helene, Governor Bill Lee provided another update on the State of Tennessee’s ongoing multi-agency response.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced approval of his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration, making recovery assistance available to eight counties.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee traveled to East Tennessee to survey storm damage on the ground and meet with local officials and victims following severe weather and flooding from Hurricane Helene. Accompanied by Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) Director Patrick Sheehan, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Senator Bill Hagerty, Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger and state officials, the Governor viewed damage and visited impacted communities.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, at the Dunn family’s request, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office shared that Governor Winfield Dunn passed away peacefully this afternoon, surrounded by family. He was 97 years old.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced the appointment of Matt Van Epps as commissioner for the Tennessee Department of General Services (DGS), effective October 1. Van Epps will succeed Christi Branscom, who will step down on September 30 after nearly six years of service to Tennesseans.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced appointees to a series of key state boards and commissions.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced three key judicial appointments.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced recipients of the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) grant program, which prioritizes learning opportunities in rural counties and enhances career and technical education statewide. Tennessee has made notable progress in rural workforce development which has resulted in securing over 41,500 new jobs and nearly $19 billion in capital investment in rural counties since 2019. This third round of GIVE grants will allocate $41 million to foster regional partnerships between Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs), community colleges and local industries.

The Department of Children’s Services and the Governor’s Faith Based and Community Initiative unveil comprehensive strategy to transform foster care in 95 counties.