CUOMO ANNOUNCES $3.45 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR COMMUNITIES IN WEST VIRGINIA UNDER NEW HUD DISASTER RECOVERY INITIATIVE

Secretary Andrew Cuomo today announced $3.45 million in grants to communities in West Virginia under the new U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Disaster Recovery Initiative.

The grants will help the communities recover from severe flooding caused by Hurricane Fran last September along the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, and by heavy spring rains and snow melt in the Ohio and Monongahela River Valleys in February and March.

The grants were authorized under disaster relief legislation signed into law by President Clinton in June.

"No amount of money can erase the terrible devastation caused by flooding in West Virginia, but this assistance can help speed recovery efforts to create stronger and better communities," Cuomo said. "The Clinton Administration and all Americans stand with the people of West Virginia in our determination to rebuild from the damage caused by these disasters as completely and quickly as humanly possible."

Kanawha County will receive $581,547 and Hampshire County will receive $533,181 under the HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative, while the State of West Virginia will receive $2,333,420 to be distributed to small towns and rural areas hit by the disasters.

The HUD assistance will supplement aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies.

Hurricane Fran caused extensive damage to farms, homes and businesses in 10 counties in the eastern and north-central parts of the state that are now eligible for HUD disaster aid: Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, Randolph and Tucker.

Flooding this year caused widespread damage in 16 counties in the central and northern parts of the state that are now eligible for HUD disaster aid: Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Gilmer, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Roane, Tyler, Wayne, Wetzel, Wirt and Wood.

Father Joseph Hacala, S.J., a Special Assistant to Secretary Cuomo for Interfaith Community Outreach, presented the HUD disaster relief assistance to Congressman Bob Wise and other West Virginia officials today in Clendenin, which suffered extensive damage in the floods this year.

"As a native West Virginian who knows the beauty of this state and the strength and goodness of its people, I admire the ability of West Virginians to overcome the terrible disasters that struck our state," Father Hacala said. "I offer a hope and a prayer that these disaster relief funds will provide long-term assistance and help heal the wounds suffered by our state and our people."

Governor Cecil H. Underwood said: "Several parts of West Virginia have been hit hard by flooding in the past year, and these grants provide much needed relief for the people in these communities as they continue their flood recovery efforts. My administration continues to work with local, state and federal leaders on ways we can expand our flood prevention efforts as well.

Congressman Wise said: "I am very pleased that Father Hacala, Secretary Cuomo and HUD are providing this support to our communities. Too many times, West Virginia has had to recover and rebuild after severe flooding. Through the partnership of HUD, other federal and state agencies and our local communities, we are beginning to find new ways to prevent such disasters from occurring."

Congressman Alan B. Mollohan said the flooding "caused real hardship and loss for many of our West Virginia families and businesses. I'm pleased that HUD is making this funding available to our communities, and hopeful that it will help speed the local recovery efforts."

Clendenin Mayor Evelyn Robertson said the town "deeply appreciated the outpouring response of help" it has received since the floods this year. "President Clinton has assured us that the government will continue to support us in our efforts to rebuild and aid us in recovery."

The HUD Disaster Recovery Initiative will give communities great flexibility in meeting local needs quickly. Funds can be used for long-term recovery efforts, property buyouts, relocations and efforts to prevent future flood damage, including: rehabilitation of residential and commercial buildings; acquisition, construction or reconstruction of public facilities and improvements, including streets, neighborhood centers, and water and sewer facilities; homeownership assistance, including downpayment assistance and interest rate subsides; building new replacement housing; code enforcement; and assistance to businesses for carrying out economic development activities for job creation and retention.