WASHINGTON – Senator Chuck Grassley said today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has awarded funds totaling $7,242,238.70 to Iowa through the Hazard Mitigation Grant program and the Public Assistance program as the state continues to recover from 2008 flooding.
"Iowans continue to stand strong in the wake of the devastating floods and severe storms, but vital resources continue to be necessary as we work to get Iowa back on its feet," Grassley said. "It's good to see this money getting out the door."
FEMA obligates the funding for the projects below to the state of Iowa. It's the state's responsibility to use these funds to reimburse eligible sub-grantees after the review process and upon receipt of appropriate documentation. The eligible sub-grantees are shown below.
· Mason City will receive $2,558,079 through the Hazard Mitigation Grant program to help acquire and demolish 28 residential properties that were damaged by flooding. FEMA will pay for 75 percent of the project cost.
· The Community Building Theatre Corp in Cedar Rapids will receive $3,138,173.90 to reimburse funds used for repair or replacement of damaged building materials including mechanical system components at the Iowa Theater Building where the lower level was completely submerged by flooding. FEMA will pay for 90 percent of the project cost.
· University of Iowa in Iowa City will receive $1,545,985.80 to reimburse funds used for the repair of building materials at the Museum of Art Building damaged by flooding. FEMA will pay for 90 percent of the project cost.
According to FEMA, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funds to reduce the loss of life and property, lessen the impact to local communities due to natural disasters and enable recovery after a disaster.
According to FEMA, the Public Assistance Grant program provides assistance to State, Tribal and local governments, and certain types of Private Nonprofit organizations so communities can quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies declared by the President.
Thanks, in part, to the efforts of the Iowa congressional delegation, FEMA pays for 90 percent of the costs associated with the Public Assistance projects shown above. The delegation sent several letters requesting the previous administration to take another look at the disaster level to ensure Iowa communities got the assistance they were entitled.