FEMA To Provide More Than $23, 000 To City Of Palmer For Public Facilties 

Release Date: May 19, 2003
Release Number: 1461-08

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Anchorage, AK -- The federal government and the State of Alaska have written project worksheets in the City of Palmer for $31,000 to repair eligible storm-damaged public facilities and equipment. The money will also be used to defray unscheduled emergency-response costs, resulting from the severe winds and freezing temperatures during March 6-14, federal officials said.

President George Bush declared the Anchorage municipality and the Kenai Peninsula and Mat-Su Boroughs federal disaster areas eligible for individual assistance and public assistance on April 26. The State of Alaska and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will share the cost of the public repair projects, said FEMA officials.

"The funds for the City of Palmer will come from FEMA's Public Assistance program," said William Lokey, federal coordinating officer. "Public Assistance is a cost-share program between the federal government and the state/local governments. The federal government pays 75 percent of project costs and the state/local partners pay 25 percent. FEMA's 75-percent share will amount to $23,250 in Palmer."

The Public Assistance program provides funding for eligible emergency work, such as police and firefighter overtime, the extraordinary use of equipment, and debris removal. Funds for eligible permanent projects may include repairs to roads and bridges, government facilities and vital public utilities. State and local government agencies, and certain nonprofit entities that provide government-type services, are eligible to apply.

The four City of Palmer projects include: repairs to city equipment and vehicles, repairs to the historic Community Center on Main Street, repairs to the city Flight Service Center and its maintenance office, and funding for unbudgeted expenses for Palmer emergency responders and their equipment.

"We've had 19 local government agencies and public-nonprofit utilities apply for FEMA aid since the declaration," said Ron Hormann, public assistance officer. "With the completion of the City of Palmer, FEMA has completed 16 percent of its Public Assistance applications."

Last Modified: Tuesday, 20-May-2003 09:07:34