Briefings To Kick Off Public Assistance Process In SE Minnesota
Release Date: August 30, 2007
Release Number: 1717-004
» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- A series of seven meetings has been scheduled for early September to brief state and local officials about federal Public Assistance funds available in the wake of severe storms and flooding that hit southeastern Minnesota beginning Aug. 18, according to officials from Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the U.S Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"These meetings are pivotal jump-starts to the Public Assistance process," said Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell. "They provide applicants with an opportunity to learn and ask questions. They will help Minnesota communities return to levels of service and qualities of life that existed before the disaster struck."
Eligible applicants for Public Assistance include state, county and local governments and some private non-profits such as educational and medical institutions. Public assistance is provided on a cost-sharing basis, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the eligible expenses and state and local governments funding the remaining 25 percent. Public Assistance funds reimburse costs for debris removal and disposal; emergency protective measures such as shelter operations and emergency-responder overtime; and repairs to damaged infrastructure and public buildings.
Seven Minnesota counties are eligible for the full range of federal Public Assistance funds: Dodge, Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha and Winona. An applicant briefing among federal, state and local representatives will take place in each county during the first week in September (schedule below). An additional briefing for state agencies will occur in St. Paul at a future date.
At the meetings, state and federal officials will introduce potential aid recipients to the Public Assistance process and address preliminary questions. Following the briefings, each applicant will submit a request for Public Assistance. FEMA will assign a Public Assistance Coordinator to each applicant to help guide the application through the funding process.
The dates, times and locations for the initial meetings are:
Winona County
Tuesday, Sept. 4
10 a.m.
City Council Chambers
207 Lafayette St.
Winona, MN
Houston County
Tuesday, Sept. 4
3 p.m.
Caledonia City Auditorium - Basement
219 E. Main St.
Caledonia, MN
Fillmore County and Tri-County Electric
Tuesday, Sept. 4
7 p.m.
Lanesboro Community Center
Lanesboro, MN
Wabasha County
Wednesday, Sept. 5
10 a.m.
American Legion Club
215 3rd St. SW
Plainview, MN
Dodge County
Wednesday, Sept. 5
2 p.m.
County Courthouse
Board of Commissioners Room
22 6th St. E.
Mantorville, MN
Olmsted County
Thursday, Sept. 6
10 a.m.
Government Center
Conference Room A/B
101 4th St. SE
Rochester, MN
Steele County
Thursday, Sept. 6
2 p.m.
Fire Station
107 W. Main St.
Owatonna, MN
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 31-Aug-2007 10:49:46