Press Release Archive
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Governor Culver Announces Federal Grant To Help Iowans In Recovery Process
Action comes after Governor requests assistance from US Department of Labor
DES MOINES – Today, Governor Chet Culver announced Iowa received approval of a Federal $17 million National Emergency Grant to help rebuild the state’s public facilities, infrastructure and parks across the state. Earlier, Governor Culver had made the request following severe weather and tornados affected large portions the state in recent weeks.
“As Governor, I am committed to doing whatever is necessary to help life return to normal for Iowans, and this new grant will help us do just that,” said Governor Culver. “I want to thank the US Department of Labor for their quick action in approving this request. Iowans have been through a lot in recent weeks. With a coordinated effort on the local, state and federal levels, I know we can rebuild the Great State of Iowa – stronger and better than before.”
Administered through Iowa Workforce Development, the grant will assist with putting unemployed Iowans back to work rebuilding the state’s public facilities, infrastructure and parks. It will provide quality wages for individuals who have lost their jobs due to the natural disasters. Each individual is eligible to receive up to $12,000 in wages for participating in the clean-up efforts and the wages are paid at a rate that significantly exceeds unemployment insurance compensation rates.
The grant targets the 27 counties that, to date, have been declared eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program: Adams, Black Hawk, Boone, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Clayton, Crawford, Dallas, Delaware, Dubuque, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Howard, Iowa, Linn, Marion, Marshall, Mitchell, Ringgold, Story, Tama, Union, Winneshiek, Worth, and Wright. Additional counties have received a disaster declaration due to flooding, but have not yet been determined eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program. If determined eligible, and if warranted, the State will submit a request to expand the service areas.
The emergency funds will be used to provide temporary employment on projects for the clean-up, demolition, repair, renovation, and reconstruction of destroyed public structures, facilities, and lands within the affected communities. Funds will also be used for projects that provide food, clothing, shelter, and other types of humanitarian assistance for disaster victims.
In addition, these funds may be used to perform work on the homes of economically disadvantaged individuals who are eligible for the Federally funded weatherization program, with priority given to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.
In 1993, over $25 million in federal funding provided necessary wages for Iowa’s restoration efforts.