FEMA Public Assistance Program Helps New York State Court System Recover From WTC Attack
Release Date: September 16, 2002
Release Number: 1391-151
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New York, NY -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a grant for $4.4 million to the state of New York to assist the state court system recover and rebuild following the collapse of the World Trade Center.
The $4,407,363 in public assistance funding for the state's unified court system includes:
- $2.9 million to renovate new courtroom space at 26 Broadway for the New York State Court of Claims, replacing the leased facilities at 5 World Trade Center which were destroyed on Sept. 11.
- $1.5 million to establish an emergency telecommunications system, following severe disruptions to the court system's voice and data network resulting from the destruction in lower Manhattan.
With this grant, the total amount approved to date to the state of New York for emergency response and recovery work is more than $4.6 billion.
"Each project that FEMA funds through its Public Assistance program is one more step toward the goal of helping New York come back from the attacks," said FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh. "We will work with New York every step of the way as we carry out President Bush's pledge to help build rebuild New York."
New York State Emergency Management Office Director Edward F. Jacoby added, "The devastating attack on the World Trade Center disrupted lives and businesses throughout the nation, and was intended to undermine the very faith we have in our political and legal institutions. To the contrary, it has strengthened our resolve, as the city, state and federal government work closely together to restore critical services."
FEMA's Public Assistance program reimburses local and state government agencies and certain non-profits providing a government-like service for disaster-related losses and costs not covered by insurance. Among costs eligible for reimbursement are emergency response measures; debris removal; and the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged public facilities. This latest grant for $4.4 million falls into the latter category.
Typically, the federal share is 75 percent, with the state and local governments providing 25 percent of total eligible costs. President Bush authorized FEMA to pay for 100 percent of the program costs after the World Trade Center disaster. FEMA and the New York State Emergency Management Office have partnered to administer the program.
Last Modified: Friday, 03-Oct-2003 16:20:50