News

October 31, 2008

harkin announces nearly $2 million coming to iowa from economic development administration for disaster planning

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that 11 councils of governments across Iowa have received a total of $1,962,773 to support the development of an economic recovery strategy focusing on damage assessment and speedy economic recovery efforts in Iowa communities severely impacted by the recent floods.  This funding comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).  Harkin is a senior member of the Senate panel that funds the EDA.

“Iowa’s councils of governments are working hard with limited resources to help communities recover from the floods and storms, working to help them move forward with economic revitalization and reducing future disasters”.  Harkin said.  “This is crucial work that will help Iowa recover and become better in years to come.”

Iowa’s councils of government are doing a lot of work helping towns in their areas work with FEMA, other federal agencies, the state and others to determine the amount of funds specific projects should receive as well as helping to plan for future mitigation work to prevent damage from future disasters.  Iowa’s councils of government are working to provide specific sums from the federal Community Development Block Grant program as allocated by the state for towns in their region. 

Harkin worked to provide $100 million in EDA funds that the Congress passed in June and an additional $400 million in October.  Harkin was able to secure the $100 million while aboard Air Force One during conversations with President Bush while flying to Cedar Rapids to view the flood damage.

Specific funding details are below.

·         Region XII Council of Governments- Carroll, $150,000

·         Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council- Sioux City, $140,000

·         Area 15 Regional Planning Commission- Ottumwa, $140,600

·         Region Six Planning Commission- Marshalltown, $61,000

·         Northwest Iowa Planning & Development Commission- Spencer,  131,498

·         Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission- Burlington, $300,000

·         East Central Iowa Council of Governments- Cedar Rapids, $300,000

·         Iowa Northland Regional Economic Development Commission- Waterloo, $300,000

·         Southern Iowa Council of Governments, Inc.- Creston, $112,500

·         North Iowa Area Council of Governments- Mason City, $139,175

·         East Central Intergovernmental Association- Dubuque, $178,000