Eight More Counties Qualify for Federal Public Assistance 

Release Date: April 15, 2009
Release Number: 1830-008

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MOORHEAD, Minn. -- Eight more Minnesota counties were designated for Public Assistance (PA) today, bringing the total number of designated counties for PA to 15, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM).

The newly designated counties are Grant, Lake, Mahnomen, Otter Tail, Pennington, Red Lake, Roseau and Wadena.

This opens the door to federal reimbursement for state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in the designated counties for eligible disaster-related infrastructure costs.

Under the cost-share program, FEMA funds 75 percent of the approved cost for eligible work, such as debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing of damaged public facilities, such as roads, bridges, buildings, utilities and recreation areas. The state manages the grants for all projects.

The main goal of FEMA's PA program is to restore eligible facilities to their pre-disaster levels. There are, however, funds available that allow certain projects to be rebuilt to a higher standard if it can be demonstrated the increased costs will save taxpayers money in the future.

State officials will hold a series of applicant briefings for representatives of state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to explain the PA application process. Dates, times and locations for these briefings will be announced.

The Minnesota counties previously designated as eligible for PA assistance are Clay, Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Traverse and Wilkin.

FEMA leads the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation. The agency is committed to reducing the loss of life and property and supporting a culture of readiness for all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and other catastrophes.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 15-Apr-2009 01:52:35