COCKE COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Efforts to restore the Pigeon River following damage from Hurricane Helene are receiving a major financial boost.
State Representative Jeremy Faison announced $1.5 million in state funding to support recovery and restoration work along the river, a key natural and economic resource for East Tennessee.
The funding will be administered through the Pigeon River Outfitters Association and is intended to match a federal grant aimed at rebuilding and improving the river’s conditions. Officials say the state investment is expected to leverage significantly more funding, potentially generating more than $20 for every dollar spent.
“The Pigeon River is vital to East Tennessee’s heritage and appeal,” Faison said. “This significant investment will ensure generations to come can enjoy all that it has to offer.”
The Pigeon River, which spans more than 70 miles from Western North Carolina into East Tennessee, is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the country. It attracts up to 250,000 visitors annually and generates an estimated $6 million in economic impact for the region.
Faison called the effort one of the most meaningful projects he has supported during his time in the General Assembly, adding that restoring the river will help strengthen its status as a premier outdoor destination.
Local leaders and tourism officials say revitalizing the river is critical not only for environmental recovery but also for sustaining the region’s recreation-based economy following the storm’s destruction in 2024.
