The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Georgia nearly $500 million to help communities – including Gainesville and others in our area – impacted by Hurricane Helene strengthen drinking water and wastewater infrastructure and to better respond to water-related emergencies.
They are Cornelia, Baldwin, Demorest, Maysville, Helen, Commerce, Clarkesville, Hoschton, Braselton, and Barrow County. Click here for more details: 2026-CWSRF-Project-List-Draft.pdf
“As communities across Georgia continue to recover from the most destructive storm in state history, these funds will help accelerate that ongoing work,” Gov. Brian Kemp said. “Georgia will be better able to weather future storms and ensure the well-being of its residents, and I want to thank EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the Trump administration, and all those who supported the Helene Resilience Funding package.”
To be eligible for Helene Resilience Funding (HRF), communities must demonstrate impacts from Hurricane Helene and propose an eligible project designed to reduce the risk and vulnerability of flood damage or enhance the resilience of drinking water and wastewater systems to rapid hydrologic changes or natural disasters.