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President Donald Trump said Thursday that his administration will provide a $10 million grant to East Palestine, Ohio, to support economic recovery efforts following a toxic train derailment three years ago.
The president announced the funding in a Truth Social post, describing it as part of a broader commitment to the community following the 2023 disaster.
“To the Great People of East Palestine, Ohio, who were disgracefully betrayed and forgotten about by Crooked Joe Biden, ‘TRUMP’ has never forgotten about you, and never will,” he wrote.
“We want to see East Palestine grow, flourish, and be able to take advantage of our now booming economy. It was horrible what was allowed to happen there, and we are with you for the long haul,” the president added.
The grant comes shortly after the National Institutes of Health opened the East Palestine Train Derailment Health Research Program Office to examine potential long-term health impacts from the incident. Federal officials have said the research initiative is also expected to cost about $10 million.
The derailment occurred in 2023 when a Norfolk Southern train carrying vinyl chloride and other materials left the tracks after a railcar wheel bearing overheated and sparked a fire. Thirty-eight cars derailed, including 11 transporting hazardous chemicals.
The accident prompted evacuations and raised concerns about air and water quality in the surrounding area. State and federal agencies conducted environmental monitoring and cleanup operations, while residents reported health symptoms and economic disruptions.
President Trump said the new grant is intended to complement the NIH study by providing direct economic support to the community as recovery continues.
Local officials have previously said rebuilding trust and stabilizing the local economy remain ongoing challenges since the derailment. Federal and state investigations into the incident led to safety recommendations and regulatory reviews aimed at preventing similar accidents.
