MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that he would make available $15 million in federal Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) to assist Wisconsin communities affected by the June 2008 flooding. The Department of Commerce has also requested assistance from the federal Economic Development Administration.
“The June flooding has had widespread and devastating impact on citizens and businesses across southern and central Wisconsin, and it is important we direct our resources to the recovery effort,” Governor Doyle said. “I’ve directed Commerce to process requests as expeditiously as possible.”
The funds will be used to help low and moderate income homeowners make structural repairs to homes damaged by flooding that are not covered by insurance or reimbursed by other federal aid. They will also help local governments pay for damage to public infrastructure or community facilities that are not covered by insurance or reimbursed by FEMA or other federal assistance. Communities will determine their needs and the needs of their residents and apply for the funding.
Due to the magnitude of current needs the department will deploy additional CDBG funds from its housing and public facilities resources in support of flood recovery efforts as part of a coordinated state, federal and local strategy.
For more information on the CDBG Program, contact Jim Frymark, Commerce, 608-266-2742.
