By Clint Thompson
Hurricane Helene block grant relief is on its way, according to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper.
Harper made the announcement at the Joint Ag Issues Summit on Aug. 20 in Perry, Georgia. He said the goal is to have the block grant funding start to roll out this fall.
“We’re working on that timeline as we speak. Our team is dug into this hard along with our friends at the Georgia Forestry Commission,” Harper said. “It’s been a partnership and we brought on some additional resources to help us, but at the end of the day, the goal has been the same; get to cover as many commodities, cover as many farmers as possible and get as much resources and help in their hands as possible; keeping costs low and ensuring that they can work to get back on their feet. Things are moving in the right direction and moving along to get that done and out the door later this fall.”
Storm’s Impact
The storm moved through Georgia on Sept. 26-27, 2024. University of Georgia College of Agricultural Environmental Sciences Dean Nick Place announced initial estimates from the storm was a $6.46 billion economic impact, which included direct and indirect losses, loss of jobs, etc. Georgia’s specialty crops in the hurricane affected areas were especially impacted.
Harper announced last March that Georgia farmers hit by Hurricane Helene with eligible losses could apply for relief funds under the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program. Unfortunately, fraudulent applications have slowed the response of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
“We’ve been having to help people do a little more hands-on help than we were expecting, which has kind of slowed down our process. But at the same time, what has also slowed it down is finding applications that are not accurate, that are fraudulent,” Harper said. “They look complete. But when you really dig into it, you realize that there’s issues there. That’s kind of slowed our team down because we’ve got to be vigilant to make sure that we’re sending the dollars to people that deserve it. And that’s the goal of the program. Every dollar we send out the door to someone that doesn’t deserve it is dollars that don’t go to people that do. And that’s what we’re working to do through this program and ensuring that it’s done the right way.”