Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Grant to Boost Flood Recovery Effort

May 28, 2010
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA) today announced a $750,000 grant to the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission (SEIRPC) of Des Moines, Iowa to purchase and renovate a West Burlington building for use as a flood coordination facility.

"The project will allow the relocation of the flood coordination facility, which was displaced by severe flooding in 2008 and will provide space for other entities, such as Iowa's Homeland Security, FEMA and the Rebuild Iowa Office, that are involved in disaster recovery efforts," said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John R. Fernandez. "The building will also provide office space for Tri-Oak Foods, a company displaced by the 2008 floods."

"As a regional development organization with a current flood recovery mission, Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission sees a dire need for a regional flood recovery location. Investment assistance to facilitate the location will make a difference in the current flood recovery mission and in future flood recovery missions," said SEIRPC Executive Director Brian Tapp.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov): This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration and innovation.