USDA Announces Helene Block Grants; Georgia Delay

The USDA announced Hurricane Helene block grants under the American Relief Act of 2025 as part of a $30 billion disaster-assistance effort, allocating about $38.3 million to South Carolina and approximately $531.236 million to Georgia. The grants are intended to fill recovery gaps not covered by other USDA programs or crop insurance and will address infrastructure and timber losses as well as future economic and production shortfalls. South Carolina estimates include roughly $83 million in timber damage, more than 16,000 farms affected, about $65 million in crops and livestock losses, approximately $193 million in infrastructure losses, and over $621 million in combined 2024 damages. Georgia officials welcomed the allocation but have not finalized the state grant agreement or work plan, delaying when funds will begin flowing and prompting frustration from some farmers. USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and state leaders emphasized urgency and intergovernmental cooperation, and the department said it is working with 14 states to tailor block grants to each state's recovery needs.