President Bush Increases Federal Funding for Alabama
Increased disaster assistance money will help local communities
Release Date: January 29, 2007
Release Number: R4-07-020
ATLANTA, Ga. -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that President George W. Bush has increased to 90 percent the amount of disaster assistance available to the State of Alabama to fund Public Assistance projects undertaken as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Normally, the federal share of disaster recovery for Public Assistance is 75 percent.
The increase to 90 percent Federal share is retroactive to Aug. 29, 2005, the date of the President's major disaster declaration for the State of Alabama. This is the second time President Bush has increased the cost share to help Alabama’s hardest-hit communities.
“We’ve made great progress in helping Alabama with recovery and rebuilding operations,” said FEMA Regional Director Major Phillip May. “The additional 15 percent represents a significant increase in dollars to help reimburse applicants.”
“This is great news,” said Bruce Baughman, director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency. “This additional federal funding will be a welcome relief to local governments whose budgets were severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina. We are grateful to the President and FEMA for their ongoing commitment to Alabama’s long-term recovery.”
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 31-Jan-2007 12:54:45