Hurricane Helene impacts Unicoi County budget with shortfall

The Unicoi County Commission passed a budget this week with almost a half-million-dollar shortfall with county leaders noting the deficit is largely due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. Unicoi County leaders said much of the deficit comes from the washout of the Industrial Park Drive area and the local hospital. The county has not had any income coming from those businesses since September, when Helene struck. County unemployment is also among the highest in the state due to the Hurricane. The budget passed Monday with over $450,000 deficit. County leaders say the county is expecting to get some funding from the State of Tennessee.